Gollapudi Maruti Rao

Biography:

Gollapudi Maruti Rao, an esteemed figure in Indian cinema, theatre, and literature, made significant contributions to Telugu culture through his multifaceted career. He was recognized for his versatile talents as an actor, screenwriter, playwright, columnist, and dialogue writer in Telugu cinema, theatre, and literature. Rao’s literary works, such as “Rendu Rellu Aaru,” “Patita,” “Karuninchani Devatalu,” “Mahanatudu,” and others, received several State Awards, marking his prowess in storytelling and playwriting.

His influence extended beyond the realm of creative arts. Rao served as a Jury Member at the International Film Festival of India and was a part of the Script Scrutiny Committee of the National Film Development Corporation. He established the Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial Foundation, which introduced the Gollapudi National Award, recognizing the best debut film by a director in Indian cinema. Known for his extensive literary contributions, his plays were included in academic curriculums, and his works were translated into various Indian languages by the National Book Trust under the Aadaan Pradaan program.

Born into a Telugu-speaking Brahmin family in 1939, Rao graduated from Andhra University, specializing in B.Sc. Mathematical Physics. Throughout his life, he penned numerous plays, novels, essays, and children’s stories. His weekly column, “Jeevana Kaalam,” offered insights into contemporary social and political issues, published in widely circulated Telugu dailies for over 24 years. Rao’s autobiography, “Amma Kadupu Challaga,” and other works, including a travelogue titled “Tanzania Teerthayatra,” showcased his diverse literary repertoire. His passing in December 2019 was deeply mourned by the Telugu film industry and the literary community, marking the end of a multifaceted and influential career that left an indelible mark on Telugu culture.