THE HISTORY OF TENALI 'THE ANDHRA PARIS' AND ITS ROLE IN FREEDOM AND COMMUNIST MOVEMENTS IN INDIA.

TENALI

Tenali, is a town and a mandal in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, South India. It has a population of 149,839 (2001 census). It is located 16 miles east of Guntur City. Three canals of the Krishna River flow through Tenali making it a part of the rice bowl of Andhra Pradesh. One of the canals is navigable up to Nizampatnam port. Tenali is a major railway junction connecting Guntur, Vijayawada, Repalle and Chennai. It is also popularly known as Andhra Paris.

Tenali is known for its rich historical, agricultural, cultural and literary legacy. It is the Second largest town after Guntur in Guntur District. It has produced many famous poets, theatre artistes, scholars, actors, scientists and academicians. It is well known for the Vaikuntapuram temple which gets visited by an average of 35,000 devotees every month to get a glimpse of the Lord Venkateswara.^.

HISTORY OF TENALI

‘Andhra Paris’ Tenali  is one of the sacred places of Panchavati in the delta area of Krishna River. The Archeological monuments revealed that the village ‘Teravali’ gradually became Tenali and it is also reputed for devotees, intellectuals, orators, artists and educationalists from ancient days.

The relics from the excavations of the archeology society of India in Tenali vicinity indicate that it has the roots of Jainism and Buddhism. Many years before (may be more than 60 years) a Bhuddha Statue was unearthed in Sivaalayam, while constructing Navagraha Mandapam. The statue is in sitting posture about 5 ft in height. It is in good condition. Presently it is kept adjacent to the Navagraha Mandapam. It is surprising to note that no one bothered to check its historical importance. Though it is nearer to Bhattiprolu, Tenali does not figure in the Buddist centres of Andhra Pradesh.

The historically famous poet “Garlapati Rama Panditha” was one of the eight great poet (The Astha - Diggajams) in the court of “Sri Krishna Devaraya”,. He is popularly known as “Tenali Rama Krishna and well known for his wit and impressive Telugu poetr. He was born in Tumuluru near Tenali in the 16th century.

 During the British imperial rule, Tenali was in Repalle Taluk in Machilipatnam district, which was later divided into Krishna, and Godavary districts. In 1904 Krishna District was again separated into Krishna and Guntur Districts. Repalle Taluk was divided into Repalle and Tenali Taluks in 1909.

Construction of canals and dams in Tenali Taluk by Captain Alexander Orr in 1890 gave a boost to irrigation. Oriental College was established here in 1890, the first High school was started in 1903 and the first Degree College in 1951.

During 1930’s the famous writer “Sri Chilakamarthy Lakshmi Narasimham Pantulu” referred to Tenali as “Andhra Paris” as this town was rostrum for myriad literature fine arts and artists with a great literary and cultural heritage and excellence.

 Ranarang Chowk at Morris Pet Old bus stand is cherished memorial of Quit India Movement at Tenali in August 1942. In which Seven Freedom Fighters lost their lives in Police Firing. Tenali is raising star of freedom movement. The incident of Aug 12, 1942 drew the attention of Churchill to see Tenali town in the world map. The freedom fighters of Tenali raised their voices first time against Britishers for free India. The Martyr’s Memorial at Ranarangam Chowk is a well known symbol in Tenali; it was unveiled in to mark the sacrifices made by seven martyrs in the Quit India Movement. The memorial has a statue of Mother India holding a dying child in her arms with 7 pillars as a backdrop representing 7 freedom fighters who sacrificed their life.

Andhra Paris here leaded many histrionic associations. It was the domicile of doyen of several social and revolutionary moments viz. Non Bramin Movement 1920 (Suryadevara raghavaiah Chowdary), Rationalist movement 1940 (Kaviraju Sri Tripuraneni), Radical Humanist Movement 1950 (Sri M.N. Roy) etc., No 10, Downing street in London is the official residence of the British prime Minister and as such as experts great influence on British politics, similarly Tenali also was always the severe center of Andhra Pradesh Politics. Hence many people referred to Tenali as the Downing Street of Andhra, in views of its place, role and importance in Andhra Politics.

During the last century Tenali was the hometown of renowned educationalists, literatures, artists and scientists. Prof. Vasireddy Sree Krishna, Dr. Yalavarthi Nayudamma, Prof. K.Sachidananda Murthy, PandithaGopdev, Dr. Sanjeev Dev are a few to mention among them.

Tenali is the birthplace of many educationists and scientist, most of them worked as Vice Chancellors of various Universities like Sri Venkateswara, Andhra University, Nagarjuna University, JNT University etc. It is second educational centre in Guntur district by having several Schools, Junior Colleges and Degree Colleges with various Post-Graduate courses.

NOTABLE PERSONALITIES OF TENALI

Sri Nannapaneni VenkatRao Garu: Ex-MLA,Ex-Municipal Chairman. Played an important role in the Freedom Movement and Quit India Movement., Educationalist, Philanthropist, Founder Correspondent of the VSR College, Organised a Workshop for the Development of  Down-trodden people of the Society in Tenali. As a Municipal Chairman he waived tax on the thatched houses of the Poor People.  Man behind development of Bridges between Railway Station and Bus Stand in the town and a well-known person in the town.  

§  Alapati Venkataramaiah, ex-Minister, Yadlapalli

§  Avula Sambasiva Rao, former Chief Justice Andhra Pradesh High Court, ex-VC Andhra University; Mulpuru

§  Ghattamaneni Krishna, film actor, director, producer

§  Ghattamaneni Mahesh Babu, film actor

§  Gummadi Venkateswara Rao, movie actor, Ravikampadu

§  Kalluri Chandramouli, ex-Minister, Moparu

§  Kodavatiganti Kutumbarao, Telugu writer

§  Kongara Jaggayya, movie actor, Morampurdi

§  Konijeti Rosaiah - Former Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh and two-time Finance Minister, Vemuru

§  Lankapalli Bullayya - ex-VC Andhra University

§  M. S. Rama Rao, aka Sundara Dasu, from Moparru

§  Nadendla Bhaskara Rao,Former chief Minister

§  Nadendla Manohar- Speaker of Andhra pradesh

§  Savitri, South Indian actress from Chirravuru

§  Sharada, actress

§  Tenali Ramakrishna, court poet of the Vijayanagara dynasty during the reign of Sri Krishnadevaraya^[

§  Tripuraneni Ramaswamy, ex-Municipal chairman, poet and social reformer

§  Veluvolu Sitaramaiah,Founder president,V.S.R.&N.V.R college and Freedom fighter

§  Yelavarthy Nayudamma - Scientist

§  Prof.Gujjarlamudi Krupachary,Famous research scholar,Poet,Writer and Critic in Telugu

 Modern Literature

In the area of modern literature, contributions from Tenali are laudable with the works of;

§  Chakrapani

§  Chalam

§  G. V. Rao

§  Gopichand

§  Kodavatiganti Kutumbarao

§  Natarajan (Sarada)

§  Tripuraneni Ramaswamy

ARTISTS

Tenali (and nearby villages) has contributed the major share of artists to Telugu stage. There are quite a few extraordinary artists who later moved on to film industry such as;

§  Amanchi Venkata Subrahmanyam (AVS, Telugu Comedian)

§  Bhanumathi

§  Chittor V. Nagaiah

§  Dr. Govindarajula Subba Rao

§  Ghattamaneni Krishna

§  Gummadi Venkateswara Rao

§  Jamuna

§  Kanchanamala

§  Kongara Jaggayya

§  Mahesh Babu

§  M. S. Ramarao (Sundara Dasu)

§  Mudigonda Lingamurthy

§  Prabha

§  Sarada

§  Savitri

§  Vangara Venkata Subbaiah

 Scientists

§  Dr. Y. Nayudamma (after whose name the "Nayudamma Award" has been instituted )

§  Dr. Venkateswara Surisetty

FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN AND AROUND TENALI

For the present generation, freedom struggle is but a glorious chapter in the annals of the nation's history. A struggle which was non violent, pitted the moral strength of a subjugated nation against the might of a colonial power to emerge victorious as a free land.

 Clamor for freedom throughout the country and the patriotic fervor of the nation were reflected in no small measure in Andhra Pradesh. They were part of the nation's determination to get the British out of India and free the motherland from the shackles of foreign rule.

Prominent among these freedom struggles were:

·      The Left movement at Tenali in 1938,

·      'Quit India' movement in Tenali, 

 In fact, the entire State was agog with the fervor for freedom so much that several of them had laid down their lives in the process.

The people of Tenali played an important role for the Freedom struggle in AP, India. There are many popular freedom fighters in and around the villages of Tenali.

Quit India

    The 'Quit India' movement had a great impact on the people of Coastal Andhra. Ranarang Chowk at Morris Pet Old bus stand is cherished memorial of Quit India Movement at Tenali in August 1942. In Tenali, thousands of farmers responded with a gusto in which Seven Freedom Fighters lost their lives in Police Firing during the Quit India Movement of 1942. “The citizens of  Tenali brought the Railways to a halt in protest. “They did not want to vandalize anything but a group of troublemakers set fire to a bogey and the train went up in flames..”

The police, who could not control the surging mobs on August 12, 1942, opened fire, kill seven farmers. The stupas were built as a memorial for the 7 farmers at 'Tenali Over Bridge'. It was unveiled to mark the sacrifices made by seven martyrs in the Quit India Movement. The memorial has a statue of Mother India holding a dying child in her arms with 7 pillars as a backdrop representing 7 freedom fighters who sacrificed their life. The martyrs Memorial at Ranarangam Chowk is a well known symbol in Tenali

Kancherla palem is a significant village in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is situated on a state highway between Tenali and Vijayawada, in Guntur district. It has a long history and many famous Chukkapallis come from this village.

The people of Kancherla palem are more prominent, not only in Guntur but in the whole of Andhra Pradesh. One eminent personality was Chukkapalli Jogaiah who was the number one business man in Andhra Pradesh in the early 1890s to 1900's. The first domestic bomb in India was made in Kancharla palem by Chokka Rao. He planted that bomb to kill Chukkapalli Jogaiah. Jogaiah survived that bombing but the incident became very famous and chokka rao was arrested by the British government. In later days this bomb case became a part of the history chapter for degree students.

Chukkapalli Jogaiah's son Chukkapalli Venkat Satyanarayana was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and close friend to Kalluri Chandramouli and Venegalla Satayanarayana. He was the holder of the Tamarpatra. He represented the southern Indian freedom fighter association meeting held in AhamadaBad, Nagpur and in Delhi. He strived for Indian freedom under the Gandhi views. He was one of the few people in India who inaugurated a Gandhi statue in 1948. He died in his nineties on December 31, 2000.

Morampudi is a village situated on KRISHNA river banks of  BUCKINGHAM CANAL, the village is in Eastside and the CONTINENTAL COFFEE LTD is on west side of the canal The Great Freedom fighter Shri PALAPARTY VENKATARAO was of  Morampudi village, who went to Rajahmundry jail during freedom movement for 18 months. In this regard. when he was rewarded of  5 acres land by Government of India , he returned this reward and requested Government of  India to provide Railway station and Electricity to his village Morampudu.

FREEDOM FIGHTERS IN AND AROUND TENALI

Sri Chilakamarri Venkata Krishnamaacharyulu

 Father Sri Venkataacharyulu was an engineer. Mother was Smt. Andaalamma and Grandmother was Smt. Sooramma. Even though hailing from a conservative Vaishnavite family, he participated in freedom struggle very actively from the age of 24, with due inspiration from Gandhiji’s preachings. His ancestors came from Kanchi to settle in Govada long way back. They had 50 acres of fertile land. He passed School Final in Tenali. He was in Rajahmundry, Kannanoor and Rayavellur jails upto March 13, 1931 for his participation in Non-Cooperation Movement. His wife Smt. Ramanujamma also participated in freedom struggle and spent some time in jail. From the beginning, he was associated with Sri Konda Venkatappayya, Sardar Gollapudi Seetharama Sastry, Unnava Lakshminarayana, Nadimpalli Venkata Lakshmi Narasimha Rao and Maddi Rangaiah. In 1932, entry was given to Harijans into the famous Sri Balakoteswara Swami Temple, mainly due to his efforts along with Sri Sastry and Sri N.G. Ranga. He faced a lot of wrath of other higher castes when he allowed a Harijan to draw water from his own well. In later years, he started Goodwill Company in Tenali after being vexed with politics. He had four daughters and a son, Sri Yoganand Swami. He expired on July 25, 1975. For the sake of freedom, the entire family faced a lot of difficulties. We can see very few people like him.

Smt. Chilakamarri Ramanujamma

 She was wife of Sri Chalakamarri Venkata Krishnamaacharyulu. Father was Sri T.K. Vedaanthaacharyulu. Her native place was Poondla Village, Eluru of West Godavari Dist. She entered the freedom struggle at the age of 17 itself, by canvassing for Khadi, following the footsteps of her husband. In 1932, she spent six months in jail for her participation in Civil Disobedience Movement. In Tenali, Along with Smt. Bharathi Devi Ranga, Tummala Chinnammai, Parvathaneni Kousalyamma, Suryadevara Rajyalakshmi Devi, Tummala Durgaamba, she participated in burning the foreign clothes. She allowed Harijans to draw water from their own well in 1932 itself.

Sri Talasila Kotaiah

 Son of  Sri Appaiah. He worked in Congress right from tender age. He participated in many programs along with Alapati Peda Venkata Krishnaiah, China Venkata Krishnaiah and others under the leadership of Sri GollapudI Seetharama Sastry. He spent one year from May 18, 1930 in Rajahmundry,Rayavellur, Ballari, and Kannanur jails for his participation in Salt Satyagraha. For many years, he was a member of District Congress Committee. Very closely associated with Sri Kalluri Chandramouli. He was one of the first generation Congress leaders. He learned Hindi from Sri Duggirala Balarama Krishnaiah.

Pavuluri Subbaiah (S/o. Sri Musalaiah)

 He spent six months in Rajahmundry and Koraput jails for his participation in Salt Satyagraha from May 22, 1930. Good agriculturist. His family members only first started co-operative cultivation. He has a daughter.

Sri Uppala Gandhi Subbaiah

  Son of Sri China Veeraiah. He originally hails from Brahmana Koduru and later settled in Govada. He spent 6 months in Rayavellur and Tiruchinapalli jails for his participation in Salt Satyagraha from April 21, 1930 and again another 8 months in Rajahmundry jail. Till the end he was an ardent follower of Gandhiji. He had three sons and a daughter.

Sri Nannapaneni Kotaiah

Son of Sri Achaiah. Ordinary education. He spent 6 months from July 3, 1930 in Rajamundry and Tiruchinapalli jails for his participation in Civil Disobediance Movement . He used to be the initiator for all patriotic programs in the village. He had one son and one daughter.

Sri Tholu Venkataramaiah

Son of Sri Ammaiah. Born on November 2, 1912. After completion of highschool studies, he spent in Rajahmundry jail for his participation in Salt Satyagraha in response to Gandhiji's call. Later he worked as a teacher in the Bala Bharathi School. He learned Hindi.

Sri Alapati Venkata Subbaiah

Son of Sri Gundaiah gaari Krishnaiah. He spent one year from May 18, 1930 in Rajamundry and Koraput jails for his participation in Salt Satyagraha. He had close acquaintance with Drama field also. He was a very good singer. He used to conduct Bhajans.

Sri Katragadda Mallikarjuna Rao

Son of Sri Punnaiah. He spent 8 months in Rajamundry and Tiruchinapalli jails for his participation in Salt Satyagraha. He used to participate in all freedom struggles at village level. After learing Hindi, he worked as an Hindi teacher. Even though being somewhat aggressive, he followed the non-violent path of Gandhiji.

Smt. Parvathaneni Kousalyamma

 Wife of Sri Appaiah. Even though she did not pursued higher studies, due to her close acquaintance with the family of Sri Pavuluri Hanumaiah, She was attracted towards freedom struggles. Along with Smt. Chinnammai, She was arrested in Tenali for her participation in Foreign goods eviction movement and spent in Rayavellur and Kannanur jails. She was the sister-in-law of Sri Tholu Kotaiah.

Smt. Tummala Chinnammai

Daughter of Sri Hanumaiah and wife of Sri Raghavaiah. Sri Raghavaiah and Veeraiah were her brothers. Their family had an important role in the freedom struggle. They participated in all the struggles in Govada. Smt. Chinnammai joined the women volunteers association under the leadership of Smt. Bharathi Devi Ranga and participated in the picketing of foreign goods shops in Tenali. She spent 6 months in Nellore and Kannanoor jails from January 22, 1932. Under her leadership, the women of Govada started weaving Khadi.

Sri Pavuluri Sivarama Krishnaiah

     Son of Sri Venkaiah. While studying fourth form in nearby Turimella villege, he participated in Quit India movement and sent for Alipur camp jail for one and half years. After passing Metriculation, he worked as a teacher. At present, he is the secretary of A.P. Freedom Fighters Association and also member of the Vinayashramam, Kavur. He took an active role in conducting the All India Freedom Fighters Conference in Tenal1983

chukkapalli venkata satya narayana rice mill(freedom Fighter  (kancheralapalem)

The number one freedom fighter of Indian freedom movement in Tenali taluk

Y G Krishnamurti He owned some land near the sea, about 50 km away from Tenali, During the Salt Satyagraha in 1930, he handed over his land so the protestors could make their own salt in disobedience of British laws. When Gandhiji came to hishome to meet his family, his wife handed over all the gold ornaments she was wearing to the Mahatma. YGK was also hugely influenced by Gandhi’s philosophy, and for more than 20 years, he used to spin his own yarn and then give it to a weaver. For him, it was akin to a spiritual experience.

The Left movement at Tenali in 1938,

In 1962, Jyoti Basu was one amongst the 32 members of the National Council who walked out of the meeting. When the CPI(M) was formed in 1964 as a result of the ideological struggle within the Communist movement, Basu became a member of the Politburo. He was, in fact, the last surviving member of the "Navaratnas", the nine members of the first Politburo. The leftist section, to which the 32 National Council members belonged, organized a convention in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh July 7 to 11. It was here where the radical sections of party further showed their pro-Chinese stand. The Tenali convention was marked by the display of a large portrait of the Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong.

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 At a CPI National Council meeting held on April 11, 1964, 32 Council members walked out in protest, accusing Dange and his followers of "anti-unity and anti-Communist policies".

The leftist section, to which the 32 National Council members belonged, organised a convention in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh July 7 to 11. In this convention the issues of the internal disputes in the party were discussed. 146 delegates, claiming to represent 100,000 CPI members, took part in the proceedings. The convention decided to convene the 7th Party Congress of CPI in Calcutta later the same year.

Marking a difference from the Dangeite sector of CPI, the Tenali convention was marked by the display of a large portrait of the Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong.

At the Tenali convention a Bengal-based pro-Chinese group, representing one of the most radical streams of the CPI left wing, presented a draft programme proposal of their own. These radicals criticized the draft programme proposal prepared by M. Basavapunniah for undermining class struggle and failing to take a clear pro-Chinese position in the ideological conflict between the CPSU and CPC

After the Tenali convention the CPI left wing organized party district and state conferences.