The word
tantri can refer to several different things depending on the context, including a Hindu chief priest, a fictional comic book character, and a surname.
In Hinduism
A chief priest: In temples in Kerala and coastal Karnataka in southern India, a tantri or thantriis a hereditary chief priest.
Authority in temples: The tantri holds a position of high authority, responsible for installing the deity's idol through a ritual called prana pratishthaand setting the rules for the temple.
Religious training: A tantri is typically a Namboothiri Brahmin who is learned in the scriptures known as tantras.
In comics
Tantri the Mantri: In the popular Indian comic series Tinkle, Tantri the Mantri is a recurring anti-hero.
Plotting minister: As the minister (mantri) of the fictional kingdom of Hujli, Tantri is constantly plotting to overthrow his king, Raja Hooja.
Failed schemes: However, Tantri's schemes consistently fail due to bad luck, Hooja's good fortune, or his own ineptitude.
As a surname
Noteworthy individuals: Tantri is also a surname used by several notable people, including:
Anupama Tantri: An expert in infectious diseases and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Climate Resilience Center.
Avinash Tantri: A board-certified ophthalmologist based in Connecticut.
Etty Tantri: A former Olympic badminton player from Indonesia.
