T. R. Subba Rao

T. R. Subba Rao Biography

T. R. Subba Rao was a novelist and scholar of Kannada language. The novel Durgashtamana is his most noted work which won Kendra Sahitya Akademi award in 1985. He received the award posthumously.he has been a part of Navya and Pragatishila literal movements in Kannada literature. His novels, Kambaniya Kuyilu, Hosahagalu, Rajyadaaha, Rakta Ratri, Tirugu BaaNa, Vijayotsava, Kasturi KankaNa and Durgaastamaana are part of his historical saga of Chitradurga. His full name is Taluku Ramaswami Subba Rao and fondly called as Ta Ra Su.

Subba Rao was born on 21 April 1920 in Malebennur of Harihar, Karnataka. His father Ramaswamaiah was a lawyer. He wrote his first story titled Puttana Chendu to win a bet against his uncle T S Venkannaiah, a noted writer. At the age of 17, he took part in freedom struggle movement and used to deliver speeches and patriotic songs around the villages in the Chitradurga district. Once he was jailed for delivering a speech at Bagur village. His father feared that Rao with lose his studies and hence sent to National School in Bangalore. After schooling Rao did intermediate education at Shimoga and later joined college at Tumkur. During this time, he attempted to participate in Quit India Movement and was arrested and jailed by British. He was released in the month of December 1942. He determined not to study till India gets freedom. Throughout his life he remained an atheist though changed his views towards the end of his life.

In 1942, he became a sub-editor of Kannada newspaper, VishwaKarnataka and got married during this period. Later he has been associated with newspapers like Mysuru, Kaladoota, Vicharavani, Prajamatha, Vahini and Navodaya. A few of his noted works include – Karkotaka, Kedige Vana, GrahaNa bittitu, Chandavalliya thota, Akkammana Bhagya and Agni ratha - Mukti Patha.

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Updated: March 17, 2014