TENALI
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.
§ Konijeti Rosaiah - Former Chief minister
of Andhra Pradesh and two-time Finance Minister, Vemuru
§ Savitri, South Indian actress from Chirravuru
§ Veluvolu
Sitaramaiah,Founder president,V.S.R.&N.V.R college and Freedom fighter
§ 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;
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;
Scientists
§ Dr. Y. Nayudamma (after whose name
the "Nayudamma Award" has been instituted )
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
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.
External links
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.
