AP Legislative Speaker Tammineni Sitaram has demanded that the Bharat Ratna be declared for Kodi Ramamurthy, popularly known as ‘Indian Hercules’. He paid tributes by garlanding his statue on his birth anniversary. Speaking on the occasion, the Speaker said that Kodi Ramamurthy was hailed by the world community for his superhuman strength. He added that his residence would be made a symbol of sports. Ramamurthy Jayanti celebrations were held in Srikakulam organized by the Telaga Yuvajana Sangham President Gunda Balamohan.
Born in Veeraghattam
Kodi Ramamurthy Naidu (1882 – 1942) was a prominent figure from Andhra Pradesh. In the early decades of the twentieth century, he was one among the leading Telugus of the world. He was born in Veeraghattam, Srikakulam district. The Kodi clan is one of the famous Telugu warrior clans in Andhra Pradesh. Sri Kodi Venkanna Naidu is his father from the Kodi dynasty. He lost his mother at an early age and was raised by his uncle Kodi Narayana Swamy in Vizianagaram with the inspiration of his father. There he joined a gym to improve his fitness and also learned wrestling. At the age of 21, he carried a load of one and a half tons on his chest. Later, he was also able to carry a load of 3 tons. He returned to Vizianagaram after training in a gym for a year at the Saidapet College, Madras. He received a certificate as an exercise teacher and joined the high school in Vizianagaram as a physical instructor.
Adventurer
Kodi Ramamurthy Naidu is an adventurer. He used to cut the steel ropes wrapped around his chest. He even held an elephant which was mounted on the chest for a span of five minutes. He used to stop moving cars using ropes with both hands and even stopped a train engine with a single hand.
Title from the rulers of England
King George and Queen Mary, the then rulers of England, applauded Ramamurthy Naidu’s show of strength and conferred the title of ‘Indian Hercules’. He also holds titles such as Kaliyuga Bhima, Malla Marthanda, Jayaweera Hanuman and Veerakanthirava.
It is surprising that Kodi Ramamurthy Naidu, popularly known as Kaliyuga Bhima, has not been conferred the title of Bharat Ratna till date. The locals feel that the title would be worthwhile if it was bestowed on such people.
