Kolachalam Srinivasa Rao Biography 
Kolachalam Srinivasa Rao was an eminent theatre personality from Bellary, who lived during the period, 13 March 1854 – 23 June 1919. Rao belonged to the family of Mallinatha Suri, an eminent critic and writer, known for his commentaries on five Mahakavyas (great compositions) of Sanskrit. Kolachalam Srinivasa Rao was a pleader and amateur theatre artist. He was also a writer and translator who translated Prapancha Nataka Charitra into English and published it. He was well-versed in Sanskrit and Telugu languaes, and also knew Kannada and English which he studied at college. He also completed his law studies. His brother Srinivasa Rao built a new hall for the Sumanorama Sabha, called Vanivilasa Nataka Shala. It was the first theatre building of Bellary and was inaugurated by Balgangadhar Tilak.
Kolachalam Srinivasa Rao was born on 13 March 1854 in Bellary. He was born into a family of intellectuals, with many members well-educated. Rao too completed his studies, and also took law studies. His elder brother Venkata Rao was a lawyer and politician who was a member of the Madras Assembly during British rule in the country. Srinivasa was influenced by his elder brother a lot who educated him also.
When drama movement had just started to flourish in Bellary, Kolachalam Srinivasa Rao became a part of it. He wrote several plays, commentaries on the Vedas and other literary works including translations. Sunandini Parinayam was his first published play, published in 1894. Since then he has been fully active in amateur theatre throughout his life. During his lifetime he wrote around 30 plays, and most of them were staged under his drama company Sumanorama Sabha. His brother was also fully engaged with their drama company, and the siblings ran it together.
Published: March 01, 2019
Updated: March 01, 2019
