In a significant discovery, the veil has been lifted for the first time on the statue of Bhakta Ramdas, a significant figure in Telugu history. This unveiling brings to life Bhakta Ramdas, who played a role in the Ram temple in Bhadrachalam during the 17th century. The statue was revealed through a careful examination of records from the Dutch East India Company, the temple’s history, and Telugu oral traditions.
Although there is limited historical documentation about Ramdas’s life, evidence can be found in his DasarathiShatakam, Nizam and Dutch records. Throughout the years, different interpretations of Ramdas’s appearance and attire have resulted in various idol forms.
The historical residence of Kancharlagopanna in NelakondaPalli has been transformed into a meditation hall dedicated to Ramdas. In honor of Ramdas, a bronze statue was erected at the site. Another statue can be found in the streets of Nelakondapally, with an additional artistic representation at the Khammam Bhaktaramadasu Kalakshetra by Bapu. Bhadradri also has an idol that portrays the envisioned form of Ramdas. However, idols from his time period are still elusive.
Historians SriramojuHaragopal and Katta Srinivas from the Kotha Telangana CharitraBrundam have examined the statue and stated that it bears a resemblance to Thirumangai Alvar, one of the twelve Alvar saints of India. The statue depicts regality with a downward-pointing sword, adorned mustache, goshpada shikha, and gracefully draped hair behind the head. While this discovery adds to the documentation of Bhakta Ramdas, further evidence is needed to conclusively attribute it to him.
The recent discovery took place when Pasumarthi Srinivas, a resident of Nelakondapally, noticed an idol beneath a Peepal tree near the local police station. The statue shows a devotee in a dhoti, without a top, with folded hands in a standing posture. The statue also has a downward-pointing sword, mustache, goshpada shikha, and hair behind the head, adhering to temple traditions. The Vaishnava devotion is evident through Chakra and Shankha seals on the shoulders, as well as accessories like a bead necklace and formal earrings.
