Kaloji Narayana Rao

Kaloji Narayana Rao[1] (9 September 1914 – 13 November 2002) was an Indian poet, freedom fighter, anti-fascist and political activist of Telangana. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1992. The Telangana government honored Kaloji's birthday as Telangana Language Day.[2]

In this Telugu name, the surname is Kaloji.
Kaloji Narayana Rao
Born(1914-09-09)9 September 1914
Ratthalli, Bijapur
( Karnataka), India
Died13 November 2002(2002-11-13) (aged 88)
Warangal, Andhra Pradesh,
(now Telangana), India
Other namesKalanna, Praja Kavi[1]
Known forPolitical activist, poet

Education and activism

Kaloji completed his primary education in Madikonda and higher education in Warangal and Hyderabad.

During his student days and later, he was deeply influenced by and participated in popular movements of the time. like the Arya Samaj Movement, especially in the domain of civil rights. He has also involved in Andhra Maha Sabha activities since its formation in 1934, and part of the Satyagraha, Osmania University Vandemataram, State Congress, Andhra Mahasabha (Telangana) and Library movements. Considered by many to be a freedom fighter, he was part of the freedom movement of Hyderabad State and underwent imprisonment under the Nizam.

His commitment to human rights made him an active member of the Tarkunde Committee. Although opposed to power and the trapping of office Kaloji looked upon elections as a democratic exercise. He contested thrice and got elected once as a member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council. His most significant dispute was against Jalagam Vengal Rao, then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, in 1977.

Honour

In September 2014, the Government of Telangana in his honour, named the Medical University, Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences after him.

Literary works

Kaloji wrote poetry in Telugu, Urdu, Hindi, and Marathi languages.[3] In 1992, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Kakatiya University.[4]

Published writings
  • Anakathalu (1941)
  • Naa Bharatadesha Yatra (1941, translation of Brail Ford's Rebel India)
  • Kaloji Kathalu (1943)
  • Parthiva vijayam (1946)
  • Naa Godava (1953, 1st edition)
  • Tudi Vijayam Manadi Nijam (1962)
  • Naa Godava Parabhava Hemantham (1966)
  • Naa Godava Parabhava Shishiram (1967)
  • Naa Godava Parabhava (1967, 1st edition, third print)
  • Jeevana Geetha (1968, translation of Khalil Zibran's The Prophet)
  • Telangana Udyama Kavithalu (1969-70)
  • Naa Godava (Yuva Bharathi) (1974)
  • Naa Godava (1975-77)
  • Idi Naa Godava (1995, autobiograpical)
  • Bapu! Bapu!! Bapu!!! (1995)
  • Kaloji Kathalu (2000)

Death

Kaloji died on 13 November 2002. He donated his body for research to Kakatiya Medical College in Warangal.[5]

References
  1. "Telangana Poet: Kaloji Narayana Rao History". TSO. Hyderabad. 8 September 2017. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  2. "Telangana Language Day Declared by CM Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao". TSO. Hyderabad, India. 8 September 2017.
  3. "Governor, CM condole death". The Hindu. 14 November 2002. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  4. Chandrakanth, W. (14 November 2002). "Kaloji won't cry any more!". The Hindu. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  5. articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-11-14/hyderabad/27320200_1_freedom-fighter-telangana-region-telangana-rashtra-samithi-president

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