NT Rama Rao who in fact does not need an introduction is only remembered here on the occasion of his birthday today.
He made so deep an impression on the Telugu people living in the State and also elsewhere on the globe that it is hard to forget him for a long time to come. He achieved with flying colors on two different fields- movies and politics.
He was a matinee idol in Telugu Cinema. He enacted mythological roles and gave an impression that they must have looked exactly like him. His famous roles were of Sri Ram and Sri Krishna. He equally did justice to the anti roles of Ravana and Duryodhana. His tone, timing, dialogue delivery, facial expressions and graceful movements made him a hero of all times. He acted in fantacy, social and historical movies also with same ease. His first movie was “Mana Desam” in 1949 and last was “Srinadha Kavi Sarvabhouma” in 1993.
NT Rama Rao entered politics in 1982 with a bang. He founded Telugu Desam Party which broke all time record of regional party earning thumping majority in a short time of its inception. He ruled the State of Andhra Pradesh as its Chief Minister for three terms in total during the period from 1983 to 1995. NTR also worked at the Center and was instrumental in forming a National Front with the non supporting parties to Congress.
He focused on the basic needs of the common man when he was ruling the State. He introduced Rs.2/- per kg rice in those times. Mid day meal is another popular Govt. Scheme he introduced. He was for the women’s right to fight for the equal rights of women in the law of inheritance. He brought prohibition of selling and stocking of alcohol in the State. He introduced many reforms in different fields. He introduced EAMCET. He allowed private transporters to compete with APSRTC. He initiated Telugu Ganga Project. He boldly removed village Patwari and Patel system (Karanam and munsab).
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao who was born in Nimmakuru, a small village in of Gudivada Taluka that falls in Krishna District, on 28th May 1923 achieved top position in both the fields he opted for- Cinema and Politics. In the both the fields he earned a clean image- no gossips in Cinema and no corruption in politics.
In spite of the changing time and technological development, NTR’s old films are still loved by many. In spite of so much of the changes in the political scenario, still NTR’s way of coming to power, his ruling that saw many reforms and especially his endeavor to uphold Telugu pride will be remembered for a very long time to come.
(AW-SriJa)
