August 8, 2003
Andhra Kesari - Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu
Tanguturi Prakasam or as he is widely known in Andhra Pradesh - Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu - was as well-known for his adherence to Gandhian principles as for his feckless courage in the face of real danger. He was also called “Andhra Kesari” (Andhra’s lion). Here are two brief historical accounts of his life -
Tanguturi Prakasam
In the days when the entire nation was in a political upheaval, the freedom movement of Andhra found a great champion in T.Prakasam who was a rare combination of a great lawyer, journalist, nationalist and a politician. It is no wonder that his lifelong exertion in such diverse fields in the service of nation has earned hum the honour of Andhra Kesari conferred on him by the people of Andhra Pradesh. Tangutri Prakasam was born on August 23, 1872 at Kanuparthi village in Ongole Distt. in Andhra Pradesh.
The Hindu : Courage was his watchword
The year 1927 was a watershed in the annals of the freedom struggle, when the Simon Commission was deputed to discuss with leaders of the Indian National Congress the reforms and amendments to the existing statute pertaining to British India. When the commission came to Madras it faced a hostile crowd of processionists shouting full-throated: ‘Go back Simon Commission’. The police opened indiscriminate fire at the protesters in Parry’s Corner, the busy centre of the city, and a young volunteer died on the spot. The procession leaders asked the police officer to allow them to identify the victim. Training his rifle at the processionists, he threatened them with dire consequences, and none dared to approach the body.
But one leader among them bravely unbuttoned his coat showing his chest before the rifleman and shouted: ”Shoot me”. Fearing fatal consequences, the police officer withdrew the revolver, whereupon a plethora of voices came from the crowd shouting loudly `Andhra Kesari ki Jai’. That was Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu, who from then onwards came to be reverentially called ‘Andhra Kesari’.
Posted by shanti at August 8, 2003 9:05 AM
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Comments
Hi,
We, Andhrites really should feel proud to forget about a ‘Lion’ like Tanguturi and start following useless and baseless people to let our foolish known to others. May be this is the reason why all people are stunting for Publicity with out any reality. We will never value the ‘Valuable’. Why should we ?. Please think for a sec.
Best Wishes,
Rajen Pras D
Posted by: Rajen Pras Doddapaneni at December 6, 2004 3:32 PM
I am so glad that somebody remembers about Andhra Kesari & the first chief minister of Andhra rashtram - Sri T. Prakasam garu.
It is a rarity to see him remembered or mentioned, leave alone acknowledge him for his strength in times of crisis, his sacrifices for the state, his helping nature and his convictions.
Three cheers to the person who posted the article …
Regards
Posted by: a resident of AP at June 20, 2005 11:34 PM
many do not know the real face of tanguturi prakasam. he harassed the kandukuri veeresalingam of rajahmundry who advocated education to women. veeresalingam is a great social reformer but prakasam hated him
dr rana
Posted by: Rana at October 28, 2005 12:20 PM
Rana,
I am really not sure what has happened between Prakasam n Kandukuri. I believe those might have been at personal front. I do not want to compare them.
But, Prakasam was the man who fought against the British when they were reluctant to recognize the Telugu as second national Language after Hindi at that time. So, in true sense I adore him. He could alleged British in those times itself, where as our so called current Leaders couldn’t convince our own Leaders as ‘Telugu’ is a very ancient culture.
‘Penu thuphanu talonchi chuse toli Nippukanam atade, Pokiri�.’
Posted by: Rajen Pras Doddapaneni at April 14, 2006 1:47 PM
Dear Rajendra Prasad garu,
Really appreciate your balanced view point.
Hope those two great men were right in their own way.
best regards,
Srinivasa Murthy
Posted by: Tanguturi Srinivasa Murthy at November 8, 2006 8:49 AM
Pantulu gaaru was also a gutsy man, who could “fight” the gondas who came to assault him. The social forces could not with stand his growing power and public attention chose to attack him. Apart from his freedom fights, he was also a social reformer and brought a revolution in social values and customs. He added a lot of humanity value to marriages, and was successful in launching widow marriages.
Posted by: Ravi Kiran Malladi at March 20, 2007 5:58 AM
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