Hyderabad, July' 2003: What is the actual name of the famous poet Tenali Ramalinga of The Vijayanagara Empire. Is he Tenali Ramalinga or Tenali Raman? You are bound to get this doubt, if you have ever watched the promos of the 26 episode series of half-hour duration of the serial titled ‘The Adventure of Tenali Raman’, which is produced by Trivandrum based Toonz Animation Studios. The programme according to promos on the channel has been on air on Cartoon Network, the nation’s foremost children’s channel from June 14.

No body seem to have noticed this fax pass until recently. But Mrs. Srilekha, a housewife at Saroornagar surprised to watch the promo recently and got confused herself. Though she was doubly sure Tenali Ramalinga who was knows as Vikatakavi belonged to a place called Tenali in Andhra Pradesh and that he struck as his surname. Later she found that every Telugu speaking person is proud of him. And she wondered how the famous television network belonged to Turner Entertainment Networks could distort or cut short his name and changed to Raman, which can be a Tamilian or Malayali name.

When Mrs. Srilekha shared with her husband Mr. Vijay Beerwal, it was his turn to get puzzled. And astonished that the children of today who will be the responsible citizens of tomorrow will henceforth will only know him as Tamilian or Malayali as name suggests, informed Mr. Vijay. And further he asked how did it miss the attention of Sri Paruchuri Gopalakrishna, Chairman of Official Language Commission. It was surprising to know that the Official Language Commission is totally ignorant of the whole matter. Otherwise they would have protested against distorting the name of a famous poet of the soil who added feathers to the crown of reputation of Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu. A man who is known for his attentiveness, alertness, wit and intelligence is insulted by distorting his name he added.

Echoed him is Mr. Ramakrishna saying the historians and chroniclers found a synonymity between Akbar - Birbal and Rayalu - Ramalinga. Such a scholar name is wrongly spelt and no Telugu man bothered to protest is surprising, he lamented. Recalling Tenali Ramalinga’s contributions he said he was also called as Tenali Ramakrishna. And was the intellectual royal court jester and among the eight wise men who adorned Vijayanagara’s King Krishna Deva Raya’s Court. He was one of "Ashta Diggajas. And Ramalinga shined among the eight as a precious diamond in the diamond studded crown, he informed. The era during the Krishna Deva Raya is said to be a Golden Era for Telugu literature. We can’t tolerate such a poet being insulted. Now it is the responsibility of the state government to see that his name is corrected and used rightly. Any individuals and organisations insulting such a noble telugu laureates must be punished, then only there is a meaning to what Official Language Commission says "Telugu varandaram teluge matladadam" (All telugus must speak telugu only).

It is a matter of pride for every Andhrite that its great son gets his due respect. I am offended and urge the channel to correct the name before it is scheduled for world premiere on the channel in the second quarter of this year, said Mr. Raghavloo, a retired executive.

What is really surprising about the whole episode is there was not a single objection raised by any one when The Adventures of Tenali Raman was screened at Hyderabad. Toonz slated to have provided a peek into this unique series when they organized a preview show for a select gathering in the city recently. According to the sources in the Toonz, the response was overwhelming and the audience were impressed with the quality of animation and enjoyed the ready wit and wisdom of the jester. The serial believed to have rubbed elbows in Cannes, France with entertainment industry leaders and media buyers from around the world recently. Where over 2,200 buyers from 82 countries believed to have enjoyed watching it.

The efforts made to speak to Mr. Paruchuri Gopalakrishna for his reaction proved futile. Most of the time he is unavailable for his comments.

Mr. Bill Dennis, CEO of Toonz Animation was unavailable and his office informed that he was abroad. When spoke to Mr. P. Jayakumar, Director Operations of the Toonz Animation, he said he came across such an objection only now. And said that they had referred several books and found it to be Tenali Raman. However, when asked the names of the books he was unable to give names and said that he had to speak to his production team. And maintained that it was made for world audience and not Indian’s. He further added that It was not their intension to hurt any community or region. As a truly international studio we don’t promote any particular interests. And said that there was no need for andhrites to agitate about it.

Later he emailed Toonz reaction in which it was mentioned that the series was developed for a worldwide audience and will be airing it throughout India, Europe, North America and Asia. The name "Adventures of Tenali Raman" was chosen for its international telecast appeal. The entertainment company that is distributing the series wanted the name to be easily recognized by people in other countries to encourage them to watch the show. In some versions, it is known as The Adventures of Tenali, in other, "The Adventures of Tenali Raman", informed in the email response. Further it added that they have taken the ‘spirit’ of Tenalirama along with some of the actual stories. We have taken some liberties with the characters, dialogue and stories. However, we always respect the time and place in the history, it added. When Contacted Cartoon Network, a spokesperson informed that "we know there are variations where the name of Tenali Raman is concerned, and, so does Toons Animation. It is up to the local production company to zero in on the name after the necessary research".

It is said that Cartoon Network is going for more and more locally relevant content for India to gain TRPs and reaffirm its commitment and maintain numero uno position among children’s channels. But it will soon realise that it won’t be possible obviously not at the sentiments of its viewers of the state.

By D.Ramchandram
Reachout's News Bureau
July' 2003

More 'Hyderabad Watch'......