Samethanahalli Rama Rao
Encyclopedia
Samethanahalli Rama Rao (Kannada: ಸಮೇತನಹಳ್ಳಿ ರಾಮ ರಾವ್; November 24, 1917 – October 5, 1999) was a noted Kannada author. He was born in the village of Samethanahalli which is an hour east of Bangalore
near Whitefield. He used the pen name Raasa occasionally.
Even though Rama Rao (Rama Raya in Kannada) was a government servant his entire career, writing was his true love according to his autobiography "kOTe mane". He experimented in all kinds of literature like drama, historical novels, biography, poetry and short stories. He has been compared to Samsa for his plays.
taluk near Bangalore
to Srinivasa Rao and Rukminiamma. He was the oldest of six children.
His early life was spent in penury with no structured schooling until he started attending school in Bangalore at London Mission High School. Personal circumstances forced him to discontinue his studies at the end of high school, which he completed at the age of 20 due to many interruptions.
Rama Rao married Pankajakshamma and the couple had six children, four of whom survived. He lived his post-retirement years with his older son and his family in Mysore. He suffered a stroke in April 1999 and was bed ridden until he died on October 5, 1999 from a heart attack.
His first work was Bheeshmasankalpa which was received well. That began a prolific literary career which produced short stories, poetry collections, dramas, novels, translations, an epic poem and an autobiography. In the process, he became the first president of the Mandya
district Kannada Sahitya Parishat
. He was also awarded by the state government of Karnataka for his works.
Rama Rao's literary focus was mainly inspired by the many places that his job as a Health Inspector took him to. He served mainly in the rural areas of Karnataka
where he came across remnants of two great empires by the Hoysala and the Mysore Wodeyar
dynasties. Many of his works like Shilpasangeeta, Natyamandaara and Nritya Saraswati were inspired by the Hoysalas. A corollary was his deep interest in Jainism
which resulted in one of his last works, Attimabbe.
He wrote two historical novels on the Mysore Wodeyar dynasty - Yaduwodeya and Monegaara. Significant and acclaimed departures from his main interests include Shaakuntala (an epic poem), Sri Krishnadarshana (an alternative biography of Krishna
).
His dramas were prescribed text books in two of the major universities of Karnataka for undergraduate and graduate courses. The delicious irony was that a high school graduates books were being read by graduate level students.
G.V.Iyer based his Shanthala television series on Rama Rao's dramas.
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
near Whitefield. He used the pen name Raasa occasionally.
Even though Rama Rao (Rama Raya in Kannada) was a government servant his entire career, writing was his true love according to his autobiography "kOTe mane". He experimented in all kinds of literature like drama, historical novels, biography, poetry and short stories. He has been compared to Samsa for his plays.
Personal life
Rama Rao was born in Samethanahalli village in HoskoteHoskote
Hoskote Hoskote is a taluk in Bangalore Rural District. Headquartered at the Hoskote town, it consists of 5 Hoblis - Anugondanahalli, Jadigenahalli, Kasaba, Nandagudi and Sulibele...
taluk near Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
to Srinivasa Rao and Rukminiamma. He was the oldest of six children.
His early life was spent in penury with no structured schooling until he started attending school in Bangalore at London Mission High School. Personal circumstances forced him to discontinue his studies at the end of high school, which he completed at the age of 20 due to many interruptions.
Rama Rao married Pankajakshamma and the couple had six children, four of whom survived. He lived his post-retirement years with his older son and his family in Mysore. He suffered a stroke in April 1999 and was bed ridden until he died on October 5, 1999 from a heart attack.
Career and literature
Rama Rao found a job as a Health Inspector at the state health department, and he held this job till his retirement.His first work was Bheeshmasankalpa which was received well. That began a prolific literary career which produced short stories, poetry collections, dramas, novels, translations, an epic poem and an autobiography. In the process, he became the first president of the Mandya
Mandya
Mandya is a city in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the headquarters of Mandya district and is located 40 km from Mysore and 100 km from Bangalore.-Etymology:...
district Kannada Sahitya Parishat
Kannada Sahitya Parishat
Kannada Saahithya Parishath is an Indian non-profit organisation that promotes the Kannada language. Its headquarters are in the city of Bangalore, in the state of Karnataka, India. It strives to promote Kannada through publishing books, organising literary seminars and promoting research projects...
. He was also awarded by the state government of Karnataka for his works.
Rama Rao's literary focus was mainly inspired by the many places that his job as a Health Inspector took him to. He served mainly in the rural areas of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
where he came across remnants of two great empires by the Hoysala and the Mysore Wodeyar
Wodeyar
The Wodeyar dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947, until the independence of India from British rule and the subsequent unification of the Indian dominion and princely states into the Republic of India.The spelling Wodeyar/Wadiyar is found in most...
dynasties. Many of his works like Shilpasangeeta, Natyamandaara and Nritya Saraswati were inspired by the Hoysalas. A corollary was his deep interest in Jainism
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
which resulted in one of his last works, Attimabbe.
He wrote two historical novels on the Mysore Wodeyar dynasty - Yaduwodeya and Monegaara. Significant and acclaimed departures from his main interests include Shaakuntala (an epic poem), Sri Krishnadarshana (an alternative biography of Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
).
His dramas were prescribed text books in two of the major universities of Karnataka for undergraduate and graduate courses. The delicious irony was that a high school graduates books were being read by graduate level students.
G.V.Iyer based his Shanthala television series on Rama Rao's dramas.