Gollapudi Maruthi Rao
Encyclopedia
Gollapudi Maruthi Rao is a mathematical physicist turned editor, writer (of plays, stories, novels, film scripts and screenplays), dramatist, cine actor, TV anchor, and journalist who is well known for his many contributions to Telugu literature and culture. As former officer with the All India Radio
(AIR) organized the programs of AIR for over two decades from the early 1960s until he moved into Telugu Cinema
.
family on April 14, 1939, in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, India and graduated from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India in 1959 specializing in Mathematical Physics. However his strong interests from his schooldays were in writing. After a two year service on the editorial department of Andhra Prabha Daily Newspaper, he joined All India Radio, Government of India and held various positions as Transmission Executive, Program Executive, and Assistant Station Director for a total period of 19 years before entering into a prolific career of films and continues his writing which started since his school days: News, Features, Interviews, Essays, Editorials, Short Stories, Playlets, Plays, Audio Pictures, Cine Stories, Cine Screen Plays, Cine Dialogues, TV Serial Writing etc.
He wrote a weekly column “Jeevana Kaalam (The Living Times)” a kaleidoscopic study of contemporary social and political issues for over 24 years. It was a very popular feature in one of the largest circulated Telugu dailies of Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Jyothy) and, the feature continued to appear in Vaartha (Daily) after the former Daily newspaper was closed for sometime. His column along with an audio reading (his voice) continues in an internet magazine - Koumudi (http://www.koumudi.net).
His autobiography “AMMA KADUPU CHALLAGA” - a 550 page compendium of his memoirs was released in India, USA and Australia.
A Travelogue ‘Tanzania Teerthayatra’ was published by Koumudi in the USA in 2008 in its collection. It is based on 15-day safari with his friend Ganti Prasada Rao in the major national parks and historical places in Tanzania. The Novel ‘Pidikedu Aakaasham’ was released as an audio publication on 16 February 2009 while conferring the 'Lifetime Achievement' Awarded by the Vanguri Foundation in Hyderabad.
for Best Story, Screen Writing, Dialogues and performance for several movies and TV. He has received gold medals such as the Gurazada Apparao Memorial Medal and felicitations such as Sarvaraya Memorial Puraskaram. He received many awards for stage acting, stage playwriting, and TV features/anchoring.
The play Raaga Raagini was presented before Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India on December 16, 1959. It was translated into Hindi with the title Pathar Ke Ansoo.
He is a good person.
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
(AIR) organized the programs of AIR for over two decades from the early 1960s until he moved into Telugu Cinema
Telugu cinema
The Cinema of Andhra Pradesh, also referred to as Telugu Cinema or Tollywood, is the Telugu film industry in India. The Telugu language film industry is known for being one of the three largest in terms of no.of films produced yearly in India. The Prasads IMAX theatre in Hyderabad is one of the...
.
Early life
Maruthi Rao was born in a brahminBrahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
family on April 14, 1939, in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, India and graduated from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India in 1959 specializing in Mathematical Physics. However his strong interests from his schooldays were in writing. After a two year service on the editorial department of Andhra Prabha Daily Newspaper, he joined All India Radio, Government of India and held various positions as Transmission Executive, Program Executive, and Assistant Station Director for a total period of 19 years before entering into a prolific career of films and continues his writing which started since his school days: News, Features, Interviews, Essays, Editorials, Short Stories, Playlets, Plays, Audio Pictures, Cine Stories, Cine Screen Plays, Cine Dialogues, TV Serial Writing etc.
Literary Activity
Maruthi Rao has written and published several Plays (9), Playlets (18), Novels (12), Story volumes (4), Essays (2), Children’s’ Stories (3)He wrote a weekly column “Jeevana Kaalam (The Living Times)” a kaleidoscopic study of contemporary social and political issues for over 24 years. It was a very popular feature in one of the largest circulated Telugu dailies of Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Jyothy) and, the feature continued to appear in Vaartha (Daily) after the former Daily newspaper was closed for sometime. His column along with an audio reading (his voice) continues in an internet magazine - Koumudi (http://www.koumudi.net).
His autobiography “AMMA KADUPU CHALLAGA” - a 550 page compendium of his memoirs was released in India, USA and Australia.
A Travelogue ‘Tanzania Teerthayatra’ was published by Koumudi in the USA in 2008 in its collection. It is based on 15-day safari with his friend Ganti Prasada Rao in the major national parks and historical places in Tanzania. The Novel ‘Pidikedu Aakaasham’ was released as an audio publication on 16 February 2009 while conferring the 'Lifetime Achievement' Awarded by the Vanguri Foundation in Hyderabad.
Performing arts
Maruthi Rao wrote for 87 films (story, screenplay, dialogues). He acted in over 230 movies as character actor, comedian and villain took part in film direction apart from his writing, directing and acting in plays. He conducted TV shows as an anchor.Awards and honors
Maruthi Rao has been felicitated and honored in hundreds of occasions in many countries including India. Five Nandi AwardsNandi Awards
The Nandi Awards is the most Prominent award ceremony for Telugu films, Telugu Theater & Television, presented annually in Andhra Pradesh, India. "Nandi" means "bull", the awards being named after the big granite bull at Lepakshi — a cultural and historical symbol of Andhra Pradesh.Nandi...
for Best Story, Screen Writing, Dialogues and performance for several movies and TV. He has received gold medals such as the Gurazada Apparao Memorial Medal and felicitations such as Sarvaraya Memorial Puraskaram. He received many awards for stage acting, stage playwriting, and TV features/anchoring.
- Pulikanti Krishna Reddy Puraskaram (2007)
- Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy Award for the play KalluKalluKallu are Jat clan found in found in the province of Pakistani Punjab and the Indian state of Punjab.They are largely Muslim, and found mainly in the districts of Chakwal, Khushab, and Sargodha, although Kallu villages are found throughout Punjab...
(The Eyes) as Best Playlet of 1975. It had won the Best Script Award in the Raghava Memorial Competitions at Vizianagaram. The play was prescribed as textbook for M.A. (Telugu literature) at Osmania University, Hyderabad. It was translated into all Indian Languages by the National Book Trust, under the Aadaan Pradaan Programme. It was made into a Telugu film, for which the Andhra Pradesh government presented Nandi Award for the Best Story in 1989). - Three Nandi AwardsNandi AwardsThe Nandi Awards is the most Prominent award ceremony for Telugu films, Telugu Theater & Television, presented annually in Andhra Pradesh, India. "Nandi" means "bull", the awards being named after the big granite bull at Lepakshi — a cultural and historical symbol of Andhra Pradesh.Nandi...
for films from the government of Andhra Pradesh: Atma Gowravam (Best Story, 1965); Mestari Kapuram (Dialogues, 1991), Prema PustagamPrema PustagamPrema Pustakam is a 1993 Telugu film which was partly directed by Gollapudi Srinivas before his death on the set of the film; it was later finished by his father, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao...
(Best Screenplay, 1994). - Sarvaraya Dharmanidhi Puraskaram for the best humorous writing in Telugu awarded by Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy (1983).
- Paidi Lakshmayya Dharmanidhi Puraskaram from Telugu University (2002).
- Gurazada Apparao Memorial Gold Medal as the best playwright by Vamsee Art Theatres, Hyderabad in 1985.
- The play Anantam was adjudged as the Best Script in the Inter-University Radio play contest conducted by All India Radio, Delhi in 1959.
- Telugu play Prasna (The Question) was awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Award for Creative Literature in an All India Contest.
- The play Oka Chettu – Rende Puvvulu was purchased by Song and Drama Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for popular exhibition.
- Recipient of Telugu Velugu Award in 1987 and Best All-Rounder Award in 1996 by the Madras Telugu Academy, an association striving for National Integration.
- Best Script award for the play Karuninchani Devatalu and Best Script Award for the playlet KalluKalluKallu are Jat clan found in found in the province of Pakistani Punjab and the Indian state of Punjab.They are largely Muslim, and found mainly in the districts of Chakwal, Khushab, and Sargodha, although Kallu villages are found throughout Punjab...
both in the same spell of competitions conducted by Andhra Nataka Kala Parishad at Vijayawada in 1970. - Best Script Award for the playlet Rendu Rellu Aaru (“Two times Two is Six”) in the drama competitions conducted at Lalitha Kala Niketan, Rajahmundry.
- Best Script Award for the playlet Patita in the play writing competitions conducted by Natya Kala, a magazine run by Andhra Pradesh Sangeeta Nataka Academy in 1960.
- Silver Medal for Karuninchani Devatalu from Padma Bhushan Akkineni Nageswara RaoAkkineni Nageswara RaoAkkineni Nageswara Rao , also known as ANR, is a Telugu cinema actor from Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh. Nageswara Rao has worked in several genres of films in his 70-year acting career, including mythological, social, and drama films...
in 1969. - Best Script prize for the play Mahanatudu at Rayala Nataka Kala Parishad in 1970.
- Best Script prize for the playlet “Kaalam Venakku Tirigindi” at Railway Institute Competitions at Rajahmundry and Hindustan Shipyard Competitions at Visakhapatnam in 1970.
- Best Script Award for Patita (playlet) at Mitra Brindam, Palakol. The play was presented at Asian Theatre Institute, New Delhi in 1959.
- Best Script Award for Aasayaalaku Sankellu (playlet) at Art Lovers Union Competitions, Chittoor in 1961 and at Mitra Samajam, Bhimavaram in 1962. It was presented by Pravasi Andhra Sangham at Poona in 1969.
- Best Script Award for Rendu Rellu Aaru (playlet) at Calcutta Pravasi Andhra Competitions in 1969, at Postal Inter-Dept. Competitions, Vijayawada, Nataraj Kala Samithi, Kharagpur and at Samskriti Sammelan, Gudur.
- Delhi Telugu Akademi Award (2001) at New Delhi.
- Madras Telugu Akademi Award (Telugu Velugu) 1987; Madras Telugu Akademi Award (Best All Rounder) 1996.
- Raja-Lakshmi Foundation Award (Visishta Puraskaram) 2002.
- Vamsee-Berkeley Award (Hyderabad) for playwriting and the Gurazada Apparao Memorial Gold Medal (Vizianagaram) 1984.
- Best Comedian Award for his role in Tarangini (1983).
- Best Character Actor Award from Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, Governor, Andhra Pradesh for his role in Ramayanamlo Bhagavatham (1985)
- Vamsee Award for Best Character Role in Samsaram Oka Chadarangam (1987).
- Gurazada Puraskaram (2001) from Gurazada Samakhya, Vizianagaram.
- Felicitations from Melu Kalayika' (1994) of Bangalore; from Vijaya Bhawana (1996) of Vizianagaram; by Pravasandhra Navya Kala(PNK) Parishat, KharagpurKharagpurKharagpur is an industrial city in India. It is located in the Midnapore West district of the state of West Bengal.Kharagpur was chosen as the location of the first campus of the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology . The IITs are the premier technical education institutes in India and...
(2004); by Vipanchi, Telugu Association, Sharjah, UAE (2005); by Rasamayi, Dubai, UAE (2005). - Kondamudi Sriramachandra Murthi Award, an award named after a renowned writer by Sahiti Samakhya, GunturGunturGuntur , is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, located to the north and west of the Bay of Bengal. It is approximately to the south of the national capital, New Delhi and south east of state capital, Hyderabad. Guntur is the fourth largest city in Andhra...
(2009). - Sripada Subrahamanya Sastri Award, an award named after a renowned trendsetter in TeluguTelugu languageTelugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
writing by Buddhavarapu Charitable Trust, Polamuru (2009). - Presented a paper on mythology in films at Film Institute of India, Pune in the seminar on adaptation of stories to films (2009).
- Presented a paper in the screenwriting workshop conducted by Chennai International (June, 2009).
- Recipient of Kondamudi Sreeramachandra Murti Puraskaram at Guntur (2009).
- Lifetime Achievement Award at 2nd World Telugu Conference by Vanguri Foundation (U.S.A.) at Hyderabad.
Academic impact of work
Maruthi Rao’s works are subjects of study and research in universities in India.- A volume of essays on theatre, Telugu Nataka Rangam, was prescribed as a textbook for the Department of Theatre Arts, Andhra UniversityAndhra UniversityAndhra University or Andhra Viswa Kala Parishad , located in Visakhapatnam, north east coastal Andhra Pradesh, is one of the older premier universities in India with a broad focus...
, VisakhapatnamVisakhapatnamVisakhapatnam is a major sea port on the south east coast of India. With a population of approximately 1.7 million, it is the second largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the third largest city on the east coast of India after Kolkata and Chennai. According to the history, the city was...
(1967). - His play KALLUKalluKallu are Jat clan found in found in the province of Pakistani Punjab and the Indian state of Punjab.They are largely Muslim, and found mainly in the districts of Chakwal, Khushab, and Sargodha, although Kallu villages are found throughout Punjab...
is prescribed as a textbook for M.A. students of Osmania UniversityOsmania UniversityOsmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...
. - Many researchers received their PhD and MPhil degrees for their researches on Rao’s works.
- He participated in many seminars as keynote speaker.
- Two research articles appeared in Andhra Vigyana Sarvaswam (Telugu Encyclopedia) 11th volume: "History of the development in 'Thought' and 'Technique' of Telugu Play-writing" and "Amateur Theatre – its origin and growth in relation to the World Amateur Theatre movement."
Honorary and other positions held
- Elected member of EOLSS International Editorial Council since 2005. The Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS) is the world’s largest publication, carrying state-of-the-art knowledge with contributions from nearly 10,000 renowned experts and 400 subject editors chosen from over 100 countries.
- Member, jury committees for many competitions held by the Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy (novels, children’s literature, etc.)
- Member of the Script Scrutiny Committee of National Film Development Corporation.
- Reviewer of films screened at the International Film Festival held in Madras (Chennai) in 1978 in English from All India Radio.
- Special Jury Award for the script of the TV series Premalu Pellillu.
- Member of National Jury for Indian Panorama, 1996
- Presided at seminar on Arts and Culture in World Telugu Conference at Visakhapatnam (December 8, 2000)
- Presided over Kavi SammelanKavi sammelanKavi Sammelan is a formal or informal gathering of poets in Hindi-speaking belts of northern India. The participants recite their poetry to each other and have a general discussion of literary issues. This may take place in private homes or before an audience. In the era before economic...
and presented keynote address in the seminar on media explosion in 5th All India Telugu Conference held at Chennai (June 2, 3, 2007) - Keynote speaker, Krishna District Prapancha Telugu Conference (September 23, 2007)
- Invited participant in the 5th Inter-university Youth Festival representing Andhra University in 1958 and enacted the play Manastatvaalu. The festival was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
- Invited participant in the Group Counseling Programme of Madras University Employment Information and Guidance Bureau in 1976. The chairman of the project was Padma Bhushan Dr. Malcolm S. Audiseshaiah.
Recognition and special presentations of works and performances
The play Vandemaataram, the first one in Telugu about Chinese aggression, was published by Andhra Pradesh State Information & Public Relations Dept. (1963) with an introduction by Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao, the then former External Affairs Minister.The play Raaga Raagini was presented before Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India on December 16, 1959. It was translated into Hindi with the title Pathar Ke Ansoo.
Personal life
Maruthi Rao lives with his wife, two sons and their families in Chennai, India.He is a good person.