Tenali Tales: Raman and the cat

The intelligence of animals was being discussed in the court of king Krishnadevaraya. “Cats are most…

Tales from Mahabharata: Damayanti’s swayamvara

The strong and handsome Nala ruled over the kingdom of Nishada. Known as the ever-just and always-truthful king, he looked after his people like a father. The people loved him in return. He was an expert bowman, his arrows always finding their…

Tenali Tales: Raman, the thief catcher

The kotwal (chief of police) of Vijayanagara was a worried man. A gang of thieves had entered the city, and a string of robberies had already taken place. The kotwal’s men could not lay their hands on the culprits. King Krishnadeva Raya was upset with the kotwal…

Tenali Tales: Face-saving formula

Krishnadeva Raya, the king of Vijayanagara, had ordered Tenali Raman to not show his face. Raman was…

A sweet dish called Dubuku

Chandru was thrilled. His mother had permitted him to visit the neighbouring village on the other side of the stream to attend a feast. His aunt had invited him. Chandru loved to attend a feast where he could eat to his heart’s content.

Tales from Mahabharata: The reunion of Nala and Damayanti

Damayanti chose Nala for her husband in preference to the gods. This angered one of the demigods, Kali. He caused Nala to lose his kingdom and all…

When Hanuman wanted the sun

Hanuman was the son of Anjana and the Vanara hero, Kesari. He was born by the grace of Vayu the wind god and therefore he was also known as Vayu’s son.

When Hanuman was but a child, Kesari was called away on duty by his chief Sugreeva. Anjana took care of…

Tenali Tales: Raman the horse trainer

An Arab brought a shipload of horses from Persia. Many in the court of king Krishnadevaraya bought the horses from the Arab. Raman maintained that Vijayanagara’s horses were superior to the horses from Arabia. The ministers who bought the Arabian horses challenged…

Robber and police

In ancient Talakad, there was a school to train the local police force. Students came from many kingdoms, far and near.

“It is important to understand the mind of a thief. Once you understand how a thief thinks, it is easy to catch him,” Guru Dandapani would say. “You…

Tales from Mahabharata: The separation of Nala and Damayanti

Nala and Damayanti’s love messages to each other were carried by a swan. During her swayamvara, the gods themselves came to try and win her…