KaRa, renowned writer, is dead
Kalipatnam Rama Rao, A renowned literary luminary from north coastal Andhra Pradesh, popularly known as ‘KaRa Mastaru' passed away at his residence in Srikakulam on Friday.
The 97-year-old Sahitya Akademi Award winner suffered from multiple ailments in the past few weeks, according to relatives.
Born at a tiny Murapaka village in Laveru mandal in Srikakulam district in 1924, KaRa became famous in 1964 with his story titled Yagnam on the feudal society. He received the Kendra Sahitya Akademi award in 1995 for this book.
On February 22 in 1997, KaRa founded a library called ‘Katha Nilayam,’ an archive of Telugu literary works. The library, which was opened with around 800 short-story books, is now estimated to have nearly one lakh books including KaRa's own works.
His first, Chitragupta was a mini-story. Some of his popular story books include: Theerpu in 1963, Veerudu Mahaveerudu, Himsa, No Room, Sneham, and Jeevana Dhara. His stories were translated into Russian and English.
He had an association with Visakhapatnam where he worked as a teacher at St. Anthony's High School.
Inspired by KaRa Master’s Katha Nilayam in Srikakulam, a literary lover Abbigari Rajendra Prasad also established Katha Nilayam at Nandaluru in Kadapa.
Literary lovers expressed grief over KaRa Master's death. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said, “The death of KaRa master is a great loss to Telugu literature and also people of the Telugu states. He was one of the literary luminaries of North Andhra."
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu recalled his association with the writer. “KaRa was known as a master language writer, narrator and critic,” he said.