B. Shiva Rao

B. Shiva Rao Biography

Benegal Shiva Rao better known as B. Shiva Rao was a parliamentarian, writer and journalist from Mangalore, Karnataka. A leading politician in the post-independent era of 1950s, he was a member of the first Lok Sabha, got elected from the South Kanara constituency of Karnataka. He also served as a member of Rajya Sabha from 1957 – 1960. A leading journalist of the time, he served as the correspondent of The Hindu and then of the Manchester Guardian. Indian government honoured him with Padma Bhushan for his contributions to journalism and literature. He passed away on 15 Dec 1975 in New Delhi and was survived by his wife. Framing of India's Constitution – in 6 volumes was his major contribution.

Shiva Rao was born in Mangalore on 26 February 1891. He was born into an intellectual family of doctors and diplomats.  His father, Benegal Raghavendra Rau was one of the earliest Indian doctors educated in western medicine. His brother Benegal Narsing Rau was a renowned civil servant and diplomat who served as India’s first ambassador to Japan. Second brother Sir Benegal Rama Rau was the fourth Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. Padma Bhushan winner and the founder president of Family Planning Association of India - Dhanvanthi Rama Rau was his sister-in-law. Thus noted journalist and author of ‘A Princess Remembers: the memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur’, Santha Rama Rau was his niece.

Born into a distinguished family, he completed graduation from Chennai. He joined labour movement and as a prominent member reached till the position of vice president of INTUC. He was also influenced by theosophical society during his early days. He was also a great follower of Gandhi. He got married in 1929 to Kitty Verstaendig, an Austrian. He was associated with International labour movement for many years, even after Indian independence and later became a parliamentarian in India’s First Lok Sabha. He also had a glorious career as a journalist.

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Updated: March 06, 2016