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















