Bapu Ramana statue

Updated April 15, 2024

## Bapu–Ramana Statues, Rajahmundry (Rajamahendravaram): Why They Matter & How to Visit

Location: Near the Godavari riverfront/Pushkar ghats, Rajahmundry (Rajamahendravaram), Andhra Pradesh. Many local listings pinpoint Mangalavaripeta (SH-179) for the landmark.
Coordinates provided: 17.0018235, 81.7674986 (Rajahmundry core).
Category: Public art / cultural landmark (popular with visitors and local film lovers)

### What the statues commemorate

The paired statues honor “Bapu–Ramana”—the iconic Telugu creative duo of Bapu (Sattiraju Lakshmi Narayana), a film director and illustrator, and Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, a celebrated writer. Their multi-decade partnership shaped Telugu cinema and illustration with a distinct visual and narrative style. During the Godavari Maha Pushkaralu in July 2015, new statues of N. T. Rama Rao (NTR) and Bapu–Ramana became a riverfront attraction at Rajahmundry’s Pushkar ghats, drawing large crowds attending the festival.

Local television coverage also documented a formal unveiling by Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. E. Krishnamurthy in Rajahmundry, underscoring the civic importance placed on the duo’s legacy and on riverfront place-making along the Godavari.

> Bottom line: This is not just a photo-op; it’s a concise crash course in Telugu cultural history—right on the Godavari riverbank—pairing film heritage with a public promenade frequently used by walkers and pilgrims.

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## Quick background: who were Bapu and Ramana?

– Bapu (S. L. Narayana)—film director, cartoonist, illustrator—brought a minimalist line style and a keen eye for character to Telugu visual culture.
– Mullapudi Venkata Ramana—writer and screenwriter—crafted sharp, humane storytelling that anchored Bapu’s visual language.
– Their names are so closely linked in popular memory that “Bapu–Ramana” is treated as a single creative identity; you’ll see that phrasing on local posts and coverage of the Rajahmundry statues. 360

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## Where the statues sit—and why that site matters

The Godavari riverfront/Pushkar ghats are central to Rajahmundry’s religious and civic life. Placing the Bapu–Ramana statues at or near the ghats aligns the duo with the city’s river culture and with Rajahmundry’s role as a stage for large pilgrimage events like Godavari Maha Pushkaralu. Reporting at the time highlighted that the newly inaugurated statues at the ghats became a special attraction for festival-goers in 2015.

Local pages and directories also reference the Mangalavaripeta area (off State Highway 179) when listing “Bapu Ramana Statues”, which matches the way many visitors navigate Rajahmundry—by neighborhood names and highway references rather than formal museum addresses. Treat the riverfront as your anchor; auto-rickshaw drivers will understand “Bapu–Ramana statues at the ghats.”

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## How to visit (practical tips)

### Best time of day
– Early morning or late evening: Softer light for photography, cooler temperatures, and more activity along the river walk without midday heat fatigue.

### Getting there
– Auto-rickshaw/ride-hail: Ask for Pushkar ghats / Bapu–Ramana statues. If you prefer a map pin, set the destination to the Godavari riverfront near the main ghats; confirm with your driver upon approach. (Local directory entries point to Mangalavaripeta (SH-179) as a reference area.)

### On-site etiquette
– It’s a public promenade; be mindful of pilgrims and ritual activity on ghat steps. Avoid blocking pathways or staging large photo shoots during prayer or aarti times.

### Accessibility
– Riverfront promenades vary in pavement quality; the main walk is generally flat but ghat steps down to the water are not wheelchair-friendly. Plan to remain on the upper riverside path for barrier-free viewing.

### Safety and lighting
– The main riverfront has steady foot traffic in the evening. As with any open urban space, keep valuables zipped and use well-lit sections after dark.

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## What you’ll see (and how to frame it)

– The duo in bronze/stone (public art scale): Expect life-like representations positioned for visibility along the river walk; the statues are frequently photographed by visitors heading to/from the ghats.
– Context shots: Compose with the Godavari bridges or the ghat steps behind you for scale. Early morning mist or blue hour works well for clean backgrounds.
– Cultural framing: If you know Telugu cinema, reference Bapu’s illustration style and Ramana’s narratives in your captions—it resonates with local fans and sparks conversation.

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## Nearby pairings (short walk ideas)

– NTR statue on the riverfront: News coverage from the Pushkaralu period repeatedly mentions the NTR statue in the same breath as Bapu–Ramana, reflecting Rajahmundry’s habit of clustering cultural icons along the ghats. If you’re statue-hopping, it’s a natural pairing.
– General ghat circuit: Even if you’re not taking a dip, the ghat circuit is a solid hour’s walk of people-watching, devotional music, snack stalls, and river views.

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## Responsible travel notes

– Respect religious use of the ghats first. The statues sit within an active spiritual/public space rather than a closed museum.
– Waste discipline: Use bins on the promenade. The riverfront is heavily used during festivals; keeping it clean matters to locals and pilgrims.

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## Map + wayfinding summary

– Ask/enter: “Pushkar ghats / Bapu–Ramana statues, Rajahmundry.”
– Local reference: Mangalavaripeta (SH-179) is commonly mentioned in local directories for the statues.
– Festival history anchor: Godavari Maha Pushkaralu (2015) saw the statues emerge as a notable draw on the riverfront.
– Ceremonial unveiling: Covered by local TV news at the time, led by AP Deputy CM K. E. Krishnamurthy.

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## What’s potentially outdated (verify on arrival)

– Exact plinth inscriptions and any relocation/renovation: Media confirming the statues’ inauguration and popularity is from 2015; riverfront works or festival-related changes may have altered landscaping, barriers, or nearby fixtures since then. If you’re planning editorial shoots or video, do a quick on-site recce first.

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### Sources & verification
– Coverage of the statues as a Pushkar ghats attraction in July 2015: 123telugu news brief.
– Unveiling event in Rajahmundry by AP Deputy Chief Minister K. E. Krishnamurthy: TV5 News videos.
– Local listing referencing “Bapu Ramana Statues, Mangalavaripeta, Rajamahendravaram (533101)”: area directory entry.
– Context on the Bapu–Ramana pairing in public memory and Rajahmundry riverfront associations: feature/essay references. 360

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Editor’s note on accuracy & inclusivity: All facts above are drawn from contemporaneous news coverage and local directory references. Festival-era sources date to 2015; treat site-level details (signage, fencing, exact plinth text) as subject to change and re-verify on arrival.

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