G. T. Narayana Rao

G. T. Narayana Rao Biography

Guddehithlu Thimmappiah Narayana Rao, popularly known as G. T. Narayana Rao was a famous science writer in Kannada and a cultural figure of Mysore. He is popularly called GTN by his students. He has published numerous science books during his life time and he was also known as a music critic and cultural organiser. He worked as a mathematics teacher in many colleges. As a music critic he focused on Carnatic music and wrote reviews on Star of Mysore and The Hindu. He contributed more than 30 books to Kannada language. Crossing the Dateline, Scientific Temper and With the Great Minds are his books written in English language. Mugiyada Payana is his autobiography.

His biographies of Albert Einstein and S. Chandrasekhar are his amazing contributions to the world of science. Karnataka Open University honoured GTN with a Hon. D.Litt. in 2008. Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 2008, Kannada Sahitya Parishat’s H. Narasimhaiah Award and Malawaad Award by Karnatak University are the major honours received by him. National award winning film director Abhaya Simha is his grandson. He donated his body to JSS Hospital in the city for the medical research of students.

Guddehithlu Thimmappiah Narayana Rao was born in Madikere on 30 June 1926. He resided in Mysore till his death. He completed his school education in Mangalore and college in Madras. He completed Master’s in Mathematics and later served as mathematics professor for many years. He also worked as an NCC officer. He loved Carnatic music at a very young age.  Science was his real passion and he wrote on science subjects in different magazines. He also served as the editor of the science section of an encyclopedia published in Kannada by Mysore University.

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Updated: July 22, 2014