Ramamurthy Naidu - 9 Things About The Indian Hercules You Need To Know About!

Updated on
Ramamurthy Naidu - 9 Things About The Indian Hercules You Need To Know About!
(Contributed by Gouse Pasha) We all knew about The Hercules who is famous for his strength, but how many of us know about the ‘Kaliyuga Bhima’, ‘Indian Hercules’, ‘Indian Sandow’, ’Father Of Indian Modern Circus’, ’Malla Marthanda’, ‘Jayaveera Hanuman’, ‘Veera Kantiraava’ Ramamurthy Naidu who is no less than the Greek hero. 1) Rammurty Naidu was born to Venkanna in 1882 in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. RM - 7 copy 2) He had no inclination towards studies, which earned him the wrath of his father, Venkanna. Fleeing home Ramamurthy reached the forests. He returned to the town after a week along with a tiger cub. 3) In Vizianagaram, Ramamurty was introduced to ‘kushti’ in a local gym. Over time, he improved and went on to become an undisputed pehelwan in the region. 4) To further polish his talent, his uncle sent him to a professional fitness centre in Madras. He returned as a professional wrestler and took up a fitness instructor’s job at a local college. Along with his job, Ramamurthy consistently worked on his muscular strength. His consistency and knowledge in Vayu Stambhana (en. air resistance) and Jala Stambhana (en. water resistance) made him popular across his state. 5) In 1911 he went to Madras and showed his skills of breaking steel chains, stopping motor cars and allowing elephant to pass over his chest before the public and government authorities. He was awarded the title of Indian Sandow for his excellence. RM - 6 copy 6) He established a circus company at Vizianagaram with the help of his friend, Potti Panthulu. His uncommon feats attracted people from all over the country. RM - 4 copy 7) This great bodybuilder performed impressive feats like stopping a car at high acceleration,breaking iron chains and holding an elephant leg on his chest, as well as juggling elephant babies with weights attached to them. RM - 2 copy 8) When he was in Spain the Spanish people invited him to see the bullfighting. He went there, saw the fighting but he was not impressed. In order to show his muscle power, he entered the bullfighting ring, caught hold on a bull by its horns and threw it to the ground. 9) King George and Queen Mary were impressed with his feats and gave him the title Indian Hercules after watching his display of physical strength at Buckingham Palace. He was the first Indian to be so honoured by the royal couple. When he put before them the historical facts of Bhima of Mahabharat and compared it with those of Greek Hercules and Prussian Sandow, the King awarded him another more prestigious title of Kaliyugi Bhima to him. RM - 3 copy