Ayyadevara Kaleswara Rao

Ayyadevara Kaleswara Rao Biography

Ayyadevara Kaleswara Rao was an Indian politician who served as first Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly. He was also associated with freedom struggle movement. He lived during the period, January 22, 1882 – February 26, 1962. Rao is widely regarded as one of the great leaders among Telugu speaking people in the pre-independent era. He actively involved in politics after Indian independence. He served as the speaker of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly from 1956 to 1962.

Ayyadevara Kaleswara Rao hailed from a family of revenue collectors. He was born on January 22, 1882 in Nandigama village, Krishna district, present day Andhra Pradesh. After marriage he shifted to Machilipatnam with his wife and mother where he continued with his higher studies. He was one among the early activists associated with Andhra Granthalayodyamam (Library movement) in Andhra Pradesh during British rule. He along with friends started a library named Ram Mohana Granthalayam at Mahatma Gandhi Road, Vijayawada in 1911. In present day, Kaaleswara Rao market in Vijayawada was named in his honour. He encouraged Telugu writings and also translated English works to his mother tongue.

He completed his law studies in 1905 from Chennai. Though he received offers to work as Revenue Inspector and District Munsif, he rejected them stating that he didn’t want to work under British. Very soon he started his private practising as a lawyer in Vijayawada. But following the waves of Non-co-operation movement started by Mahatma he left his law practice. Later he was fully involved with nationalist movement, and entered politics as well. After the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, he became the first speaker of state legislative assembly. He served as speaker during 1956-1962 and passed away the same year.

Published: October 08, 2018

Updated: October 08, 2018