Kaloji Narayana Rao

 Kaloji Narayana Rao

 

Born-9 September 1914
Place-Madikonda, Warangal, Hyderabad State, India
Died-13 November 2002 (aged 88), Warangal, Andhra Pradesh India
Other names-Kaloji, Kalanna, Praja Kavi
Known for-Political activist,  Poet
Spouse(s)-Rukmini Bai Kaloji
Children-Ravi Kumar Kaloji

Early life:

Kaloji was born in Madikonda, a village near Warangal in Hyderabad state. His father was of a Maharastrian origin, Kaloji Ranga Rao, and mother Ramabai hailing from Karnataka. 

Movements:

During his student days and later, he was deeply influenced by the popular movements of the time like the Arya Samaj Movement, especially the civil rights part of it, the Library Movement and the Andhra Maha Sabha Movement. The fraternal care and affection of his elder brother Kaloji Rameshwar Rao, a noted Urdu poet, has also played a vital role in shaping the personality of Kaloji. Kaloji participated in Andhra MahaSabha activities since its formation in 1934. He was also associated with the Arya Samaj. He actively participated in the freedom movement of the erstwhile Hyderabad State and underwent imprisonment under the Nizam. He has also participated in various social, political and literary activities in Andhra Pradesh.
His active involvement with the masses and their problems and his tireless struggle for their emancipation have naturally earned him in equal measure the love of the people and the wrath of the powers that be. He is one of those select freedom fighters of our country who were imprisoned by the feudal lords and the alien rulers before the attainment of Indian Independence and by the native leaders thereafter.

Literary works:

Kaloji is popularly known as Praja Kavi, meaning People's Poet. Among all titles and honors he had, Praja Kavi was closest to his heart, as it took him closer to the people. He started writing poetry right from his early school days. He composed his first poem in 1931 while still in his teens, reacting emotionally to the execution of Bhagat Singh and very soon became a prominent writer and voracious reader. His writings are varied as they are numerous. They include Na Godava, a compilation of his poems in eight volumes, short stories and translations. Kaloji's Na Godava is unique both in its style and content. The great Telugu poet Sri Dasaradhi called it ' a running commentary on contemporary history'. It is essentially the poetry of dissent and an eloquent testimony to his concern for reform and courage to revolt. His other notable literary works are ' Kaloji Kathalu', 'Thudi Vijayam Manadi Jayam', 'Parthiva Vyavam' and 'Telangana Udyama Kavithalu', and translations entitled 'Na Bharata Desha Yatra' and 'Jeevana Geetha'. He also wrote extensively in Marathi, English, Urdu and Hindi. He also translated many literary works from other languages to Telugu.

Political career:

He was a member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council during 1960-1962 and in 1977 he unsuccessfully stood against Jalagam Vengal Rao as a candidate in the Sattupalli constituency. He was founder member for Andhra Saraswatha Parishathu and member Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy. He was the president of Telangana Rachayitala Sangham and was a Member of Glossary Committee during the period 1957-61.

Awards and honors:

Kaloji was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest award given by the Government of India, for his service in the literary and social fields. He is a recipient of Tamrapatra in 1972. He received the best translation award of the Andhra Pradesh Government for his work Jeevana Geetha in 1968 and Burgula Ramakrishna Rao memorial first award. He was felicitated by the Andhra Pradesh Government in 1981. He was honored with the title 'Praja Kavi' and has been felicitated by various literary associations of Andhra Pradesh.
In 1992, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Kakatiya University.

Death:

Kaloji donated his body to Kakatiya Medical College after he died.

 

                                 

 Kaloji: The man and poet who saw tomorrow

AS I think of Kaloji, memories are fresh as raw wounds and there is a terrible sense of loss that we shall not see the likes of him again. In spite of his unique stature, he was a product of his times, shaped and inspired  by the struggles of the period. A freedom fighter, prajakavi, non-violent revolutionary, he towered above the others in his generation in uncompromising honesty, fearlessness and his capacity to support every struggle for rights and justice. Imprisoned several times, he remained cheerful and forward-looking to the very end. His last years were shadowed by a disillusionment with the political climate around.
Remembering Kaloji, one thinks of his irony, his humour, his tenderness, his world view, his choice of the popular dialect, all of which mark the unique stamp of a man who towered above his people while he gave voice to the essence of their hopes and dream.
He grew up in a home where four languages were used in conversations in the family _ Telugu, Kannada, Marathi and Urdu. Kaloji was a man of the people. He loved travelling and mingling with people. His sharply satirical wit brought out the social relevance of every trivial incident. His piercing eyes and quizzical smile made him irresistible to many women. He loved good food and wine and entertainment. But, he never hesitated a moment from stepping out to defend human rights, lead a procession, face violence and danger. He was sensitive and suffered deeply when he saw a hungry child, a homeless man or woman, a youth killed in an encounter. He would start discussing it and tears would start flowing copiously. Kaloji was a man who was not ashamed to weep when he saw grief.
Kaloji first came into our lives in the mid-seventies post-emergency, and had been a part of our household ever since. How do I describe Kaloji’s influence on me? I learnt to be uncompromising in my conduct. Talking about the deepening division between communities he would say: “Make it a point to drink a cup of tea with a Muslim friend once a week.“ So  simple, yet neglected.
I remember he refused to go through a security check while visiting PV Narasimha Rao in Delhi. He said, “I’ve come to see the man, not a minister. Tell him that Kaloji is here” and PV came running out apologising. During his election campaign, the police would get very upset at his referring to Vengal Rao as Vengalarayadu. They said “Please say Garu” and he replied that he was not christened ‘Garu’, you can call me Kaloji. And Kaloji he was. That election campaign was an education in political principles for me. Kaloji would only talk about what the Vengala Rao government had done, describe the encounters, explain the civil rights that had been violated. And explain that he stood for civil rights. Never once did he say “vote for me”. He said “choose what you think is right”. Vengal Rao, at one meeting, mocked, “What can that Kaloji do for you? He can drink and write poetry.” Kaloji’s  meeting followed soon after. He asked the crowd, “How many of you drink? Raise your hands.“ Almost the entire crowd raised their hands. Then, he said, “How many of you write poetry?  Raise your hands.” No hands went up. So Kaloji explained to them that not everyone could write poetry after a drink.
He was one of the most democratic tyrants I have ever met. I learnt constantly from him, marvelling at his clarity. His uncompromising stance on questions of human rights, communal harmony, diversity and principled opposition made him a pillar of strength and hope to all of us who were in different movements. When he was offered the Padma Vibhushan, an honour he richly deserved, he was advised to refuse. He  replied that if he was accepting a freedom fighter’s pension from the government, what was the logic of rejecting an honour that was being conferred on him. An award to which he brought honour, grace and simplicity.
Kaloji detested idolatry. He laughed when people fell at his feet at Yadagirigutta when he recited his powerful political satire on Narasimhaswami because he had experienced a vision of a God who destroyed evil. And I remember and smile when his admirers want to put up his statues. Kaloji needs no statues. That is the poverty of our response. Memorials excuse us from the task of digesting his teaching and imbibing his principles. We need to read him, recite him, criticise him, emulate him. He is the voice of Telangana and embodies its spirit. But he will remain a stone idol if we don’t let the essence of his  principles govern our lives.
(September 9 is the birth centenary of Kaloji Narayana Rao, who was an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi and Jayaprakash Narayan and was associated with many social and cultural movements in the state, particularly Telangana. The popular poet passed away on November 13, 2002.)

 

                                   Remembering Kaloji 

Kaloji Narayana Rao's multi-faceted traits made him an extra-ordinary person. 

Kaloji Narayana Rao, the doyen of literary, social, and political activism for nearly two generations in the state and a Padma Vibhushan awardee, was fondly remembered for his contribution to civil life, participation in public life, oral leanings in literary creation in a seminar on his life and literature held recently at Kakatiya University, Warangal.

Rebel and a rishi 

He was a rebel, a rishi, an activist, an orator, a commentator, a chronicler, a conversationalist, reminisced the many luminary-speakers who participated in the seminar.

The best tribute that could be paid to Kaloji, as he is popularly known, would be to continue his legacy of protest and defiance, they averred.

It was B. Narasinga Rao, the noted film director who described Kaloji as a prophet and said that further research on his life and literature would throw more light on his genius.

During his lifetime Kaloji remained a live metaphor for Warangal — turbulent yet modest, polite but dissenting, relaxed but rebellious, simple but suave, defiant yet sacrificing, Gandhian in lifestyle and a socialist in outlook.

Kaloji's forefathers migrated from Maharashtra and soon they adopted Madikonda, a village on the outskirts of Warangal as their home. Later Warangal adopted Kaloji brothers as its illustrious sons. It is a lesson to many that Kaloji, one of the early protagonists of separate Telangana movement way back in the 1960s originally belonged to a migrants' family.

Born on September 9, 1914, Kaloji completed his primary education at Madikonda and higher education at Warangal and Hyderabad. As it happened, Kaloji Narayana Rao overshadowed his elder brother, Kaloji Rameshwar Rao, an advocate of repute and a noted Urdu poet who wrote poems with the pseudonym of “Shaad.” The elder brother adopted a protective attitude towards his younger one and instances of their mutual affection and admiration are aplenty and stories of their bonding are still repeatedly narrated with much relish in Warangal.

Both of them led full lives, but the younger brother became more popular because of his activism.

Kalojis' home in Nakkalagutta area of Hanamkonda remained the first destination of any significant personality or activist from across the state who visited Warangal. Kaloji's contribution to the world of letters chiefly rests on his ability to combine the oral and written traditions.

Critics have compared him with the people's poet Vemana of the 17th century. He superimposed oral rhythms, social concern, and human rights on his poetry so much so that many have found it difficult to categorise his corpus of writing.

A similar problem was faced by the literary establishment in Bengal when confronted with the creative-activist writings of Mahasveta Devi. Who else but an unpretentious and conscientious writer would agonise as Kaloji did in one of his most celebrated poems:

Why so many agonies in my heart?/ I cannot correct, nor can I show the path/ I am not empowered to punish the guilty/ Nor can I come to the rescue of the distraught. (My Protest)

The original poem in Telugu though written by Kaloji in 1942, it provides a framework for his life, literature, and activism all through.

(The writer is Associate Professor of English, Kakatiya University, Warangal)-K. DAMODAR RAO