Telugu crusader Dharma Rao passes away

Hyderabad: Well-known crusader of Telugu language, columnist, literary activist and former secretary of Official Languange Commission C Dharma Rao (79) died here on Monday night. He had been unwell for quite some time and got himself admitted in Kamineni Hospitals where he breathed his last. He is survived by two sons and two daughters. His last rites will take place on Wednesday, according to Samala Ramesh Babu, President of Telugu Bhashodyama Samakhya and his long time companion. Dharma Rao's contribution for the promotion and development of Telugu is unmatched. He made his foray into the field of journalism with active encouragement from Gora Sastry, a veteran editor. Dharma Rao's prose was quite appealing and thoroughly analytical. He wrote a number of articles in different dailies and journals including Andhra Jyothi, Andhra Bhoomi and Nadustunna Charitra. Born on March 30, 1934, in Krishna District, Dharma Rao was a government official and he joined secretarial service in 1956. He graduated himself in law but never chose to practice, instead he preferred government service. A He saw the development of Telugu from close quarters and was made Secretary of the Official Language Commission in 1984. He put his heart and soul into the work. He worked with the OLC when Kottapalii Veerabhadra Rao and Nanduri Ramakrishnamacharyulu were Chairmen of the Commission. Retirement in 1992 did not stop Dharma Rao's quest for the promotion of Telugu. He identified many grey areas in the usage and development of Telugu which forced him to start a literary movement along with Mandali Buddha Prasad, presently Chairman of the OLC and Samala Ramesh Babu. He founded Matru Bhasha Chaitanya Samiti after a two-day brain-storming session of literary activists and prominent personalities at Srikakulam in Krishna District, the place where Vijayanagar King Krishna Devaraya was said to have written his Telugu magnum opus 'Amukta Malyada'. The Samiti which has transformed into Telugu Bhashodyama Samkhya in 2003, has championed many a cause for the betterment of Telugu across the state. He was president of Samakhya till 2009 and handed over the baton to Ramesh Babu.A Dharma Rao's essays and articles were brought into two books- "Ravvalu-Puvvulu" and "Preminchukundam Randi". His contribution to the proliferation of Telugu was multi-faceted. He was president of Chalam Centenary Celebrations Organising Committee and installed a statue of Chalam at Kalakhsetram in Vijayawada. He also brought out special literary souvenirs on the 60 years of the journey of Gora Sastry, Ismail and AR Krishna. "He was a practical man. He turned an otherwise emotional issue of Telugu language as a movement and we are enjoying the fruits of his work spanned over many years. His love for the language is unmatched. He encouraged new talent. A In fact, I wrote my first book- "Telugu Pramukhula Chamatkara Bhashanalu" and got it published because of him. He was a man of high values" Dr C Mrinalini, noted writer and scholar, said paying her tributes to Dharma Rao.