The triumph of wit over might, of brain over brawn, is a recurring theme in literature. Sometimes, as in the fable of David and Goliath, the gigantic Goliath is defeated with a sling and stone. But more often, like with Tenali Raman, it is done with nimble wit.

Tenali Raman was Telugu poet and jester at the court of King Krisnadevaraya of Vijayanagara. He was renowned as the “Birbal of the South” and many stories that have passed into folklore are attributed to him. Some of these are obviously invented to show his ready wit, like the one about his encounter with Goddess Kali.

This story describes the series of events that first bring the poor young lad Ramalingam of Tenali to the court of King Krishnadevaraya.