Tenali Raman

by Kavitha Mandana

Hampi, September 2005: A breathtaking landscape, the ruins of a prosperous kingdom, and over cups of hot tea, two friends discover stories about the world's smartest jester— Tenali Raman. Sulekha is studying in Class V and has been allowed by her principal to accompany her mother to Hampi, on the condition that she produces a full report about life in the Vijayanagar empire on her return. In Hampi, Sulekha meets the cocky TJ, who claims to be a descendant of one of Vijayanagar's most famous citizens, Tenali Raman, and together they start collecting stories about the jester and his kingdom. Tenali, it turns out, had a solution to every problem that befell the kingdom— from the mundane to the bizarre: How do you carry a pot brimming with holy water, over hundreds of miles, without spilling a single drop? The king wants to build a palace he has seen only in his dreams, how can he be stopped? And a man is to be hanged for having a 'bad-luck' face, can Tenali prevent this? As they exchange anecdotes about Tenali Raman, Sulekha and her friends also learn more about the Vijayanagar empire, King Krishnadevaraya and what life was like in sixteenth-century south India. Wonderfully witty and bubbling over with fun and facts, this book is not just about one of India's sharpest minds, it is a peep into a vibrant period in Indian history.

Genres: Fiction

168 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Kavitha Mandana started her writing career in advertising. She began writing and illustrating for children after her daughter was born nineteen years ago. She has written extensively for the Deccan Herald`s children`s supplement and its school edition.

Her books for kids include 'Tenaliraman' and 'Akbar, the mighty emperor' published by Puffin; 'No 9 on the Shade Car' for young adults, from Rupa's Red Turtle and an early reader from Karadi Tales --'A Pair of Twins'. Her most recent book is for ages 10 and above. It's called 'Trapped', about siblings Anandita and Arjun, growing up with a secret ghost brother.

Her short stories have appeared in many anthologies -- 'Let's Play' and 'Funny Stories' from Puffin; in 'Whispers in the Classroom, Voices in the Field' from Wisdom Tree; in 'Monsters under my Bed and other stories' from Unisun Publications and in a number of text book readers.

Reviews

[Sundar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book trying to convey Vijayanagara history via Tenali stories. Good read for 10+. Certainly learnt a thing or two about Vijayanagara.

The title seems a little misleading though. This isn't the general Tenali's Witty story book but rather covers more of Vijayanagara's history.

[Brahmika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice I guess

[Shazzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

When you write books for children, you should be careful with your words.

[Lehaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

tenali raman book was so funny