Aluru Venkata Rao

By iastoppers.com

Real Mastermind Behind Karnataka's Birth

In the heart of southwestern India, Aluru Venkata Rao dreamt of uniting Kannada voices under one banner

Inspired by the 1905 Bengal Partition protests, Rao recognized the power of linguistic unity

His journey to Hampi unveiled Karnataka's rich history, waiting to be celebrated

He gained fame for leading the Karnataka Ekikarana movement, advocating for a Kannada-speaking state of Mysore, Bombay Presidency, and Nizam's Hyderabad regions

With passion, he founded the Kannada Sangha and started the Jaya Karnataka magazine, spreading Kannada's glorious past

Influenced by Lokmanya Tilak and Gokhale, Rao championed Karnataka's cause, even facing arrest for his beliefs

Despite Kannada speakers scattered across five regions, Rao's vision saw them converge into the state of Karnataka in 1956

Revered as the ‘Kannada Kalapurohita’ (High priest of the Kannada family), Rao left an indelible mark, uniting Kannada hearts and history