Narla Venkateshwara Rao, commonly known as V. R. Narla, was a prominent Telugu writer, journalist, and politician from Andhra Pradesh[2], India. He served two terms as a Member of the Rajya Sabha from 3 April 1958 to 2 April 1970. Rao authored a satakam in Telugu along with numerous other literary works.[3]
Rao was born in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, on December 1, 1908. He had a sister known as Laxmi Bai and had two brothers, Narla Gowri Shankar Rao and Narla Tata Rao. He moved to Hyderabad in the late 1960s, and the city eventually grew into the primary publishing hub for the Andhra Jyothi daily newspaper.
Rao began his journalism career as the editor of Andhra Prabha, under the Indian Express Group. He wrote a notable series on Suryadevara Sanjiv Dev from Tummapudi village in Guntur district.[citation needed]
He played a leading role in opposing Chief Minister Brahmananda Reddy’s attempt in 1969 to restrict press freedom by introducing a bill aimed at curbing the independence of Andhra Jyothi.[citation needed]
Editorial work
Rao was deeply disturbed when the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution were suspended during The emergency of 1975-1977 imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In protest, he proposed leaving the editorial column of Andhra Jyothi blank. However, the management overruled his decision, fearing government retaliation and possible closure of the newspaper.
Disillusioned, Rao moved to the United States to spend time with his seven children and their families. After the Emergency ended, he returned to India and resigned as editor of Andhra Jyothi.
Earlier, in the late 1940s, he had also attempted to resign from Andhra Prabha in solidarity with journalists protesting Ramnath Goenka decision to disperse the newspaper’s staff to evade government pay regulations. Goenka, however, persuaded him to stay.
Over time, Rao grew increasingly disenchanted with the Indian National Congress criticizing its demagogic approach to politics. His experiences in the Rajya Sabha exposed him to widespread political corruption, deepening his cynicism toward public life.
Public speaking
Narla authored a Telugu play, Seetha Josyam (prophecy of Seetha), published by the Sahitya Academy. The play attracted much interest among religious and literary circles. However, Narla vehemently resented criticism of the play by the official journal of the Sahitya Academy, on the grounds that being the mouthpiece of the publishers it should not voice criticism of the work. This was likewise his basis for rejecting the Sahitya Academic Award, a decision which caused a sensation in literary circles. Narla's monographs on Vemana, Veerasalingam and Gurajada Appa Rao were translated into several Indian languages.[citation needed]
Playwright
After giving up newspaper editorship, Narla took to writing plays on serious themes with lengthy prefaces – along the lines of George Bernard Shaw's works. One such play, Narakam lo Harischandra (Harischandra in Hell), was dedicated to his longtime friend and journalist Innaiah Narisetti. Another play by Narla was based on the mythological story of Draupadi, who was the common wife of the five Pandava princes. Narla could not complete his characteristic lengthy preface for the play, which was originally titled Panchali (wife of five persons).[citation needed]
Paatha Kotha, (Old and New), a collection of essays by Narla, was selected as one of the best books in modern Telugu literature. It was also published posthumously by his family members through the New Student Book House, Vijayawada. The volume houses an incomplete essay on Purana Vairagyam. Finally, Narla was working on a project of one thousand verses in Telugu – Narla Maata (Narla's word). Each verse ended with the refrain "Navayugaala Baata Naarla Maata" ("the path of the new age and Narla's word"). These verses were satirical, critiquing society and stressing human values.[citation needed]
Rao married Sulochana Devi in 1938. Their eldest son,Mohan Das (politician), became a professor of cell biology in New York City. Two other sons, Durga Das and Lakshman Das, both pursued careers in medicine in the United States. Despite his family’s relocation abroad, Rao chose to remain in India.
After his death on 13 March 1985, his wife donated his personal library to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University in Hyderabad, which continues to hold annual memorial lectures in his honor.
Award in his name
An award, Narla Venkateswara Puraskar, was instituted in his name by B.R. Ambedkar Joshua Phule Periyar Literature Foundation.[3] He participated in many debates in the parliament.[2]
References
↑ India Who's Who. (1969) INFA Publications పేజీ.129
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