A man who lived by his principles

Paruchuri Hanumantha Rao, founder of Pragati Offset Printers, was very

popular in the artistic circles of both the Telugu-speaking States

Hyderabad: Till the other day, we would see him walking into Ravindra Bharathi auditorium much ahead of time and sit in the front row without much fanfare to watch a Telugu play or a cultural programme.

Paruchuri Hanumantha Rao, founder of Pragati Offset Printers, may have handed over the mantle of his flourishing enterprise to his sons and grandsons many years ago, but he continued to be active in the artistic circles, supporting a noble cause whenever he could, publish a book that he thought was important to take forward the Telugu culture or just be a spectator, encouraging the artists.

His interest in arts goes back to his student days, when he was an active member of Praja Natya Mandali and Communist party. Before independence, young Hanumantha Rao (born into an agricultural family in Krishna District) was a part of freedom struggle and in later years, he played an active role in Telangana Armed struggle during which time he was arrested and spent around 3 years in jail where he met many senior Communist leaders who remained an influence throughout his life. He was a journalist and worked with Visalandhra newspaper and later had a short stint in the Telugu film industry. He worked with Sarathi Studios in Hyderabad. It was during this period that he started a small printing press.

The printing press was started in just two rooms. It was like many others of the time - a single colour printing machine. However, from the beginning, Hanumantha Rao strived to give only the best in quality, be it a small pamphlet or a book. Evidently, it took a while for the printing press to make profits. One of the first big orders he got was printing of the voters list in 1973. In the years that followed Pragathi continuously strived to give quality printing solutions.

And in doing so, he upgraded technology and expertise before handing over the operations to his two sons, Narendra and Mahendra, who led Pragathi Printers into the digital age. From the time it started to the present day, what has not changed is the trust amongst the customers who do not look back to check after the project has been handed over to Pragathi – the seeds of which were sown by Hanumantha Rao.

When you need the best, then it is Pragathi - is a popular statement you often heard in the advertising circles. The most critical and complicated projects were taken up as a challenge - one example of which is the “Raja Ravi Verma – Painter Prince – 1848 – 1906” is one the most exclusive books on the painter and probably the only book to have reproduced to perfection 200 paintings of the great artist.

Pragathi Printers won several prestigious awards, nationally and internationally and the father and sons together put Hyderabad on world map with the finest of printing projects. Until recently, Hanumantha Rao would regularly visit the printing press and watch the baby that he nurtured, grow and thrive on the principles that he founded.Here was a man whose faith in his principles was unwavering as he lived each moment of his life by what he believed in, until he breathed his last on Monday, March 2.

By Rajeshwari Kalyanam