As a Telugu famous person, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao or NTR (1923-1996) was not serious about politics, however the story goes that he started following political developments in Andhra Pradesh after his daughter married Chandrababu Naidu, a minister in Tanguturi Anjaiah’s cupboard. He lastly made the transfer to hitch politics on March 29, 1982, a day after he turned 60. His Telugu Desam Party ousted the Congress which had dominated the then undivided State for 27 years. NTR served as Chief Minister for seven years, and left an indelible mark on Andhra politics and Telugu identification. In NTR: A Political Biography, to mark his centenary yr, Ramachandra Murthy Kondubhatla reappraises NTR’s life and legacy. An excerpt:
It was like a plot from considered one of NTR’s super-hit films. A person born in a rural lower-middle-class household in a distant village grew to become a famous person in Telugu filmdom and created historical past in politics as properly, by ousting the Congress which had dominated Andhra Pradesh for twenty-seven years. The method he entered politics, named his social gathering and launched it had all the trimmings of a gripping drama. But then, there was no Rama Rao with out drama.
The change from a movie profession to a political one was sudden. NTR by no means learn newspapers. He would simply look on the cinema part within the dailies and throw the papers apart. He advised his shut associates that he was not serious about politics or sports activities. NTR began following political developments in Andhra Pradesh solely after his daughter Bhuvaneswari married Chandrababu Naidu, who was a minister in Tanguturi Anjaiah’s cupboard. NTR noticed for himself the pomp and circumstance related to the workplace of the chief minister when he visited Raj Bhavan to witness his faculty mate Bhavanam Venkatram taking oath. Rumours had been floating that the display screen hero had plans to grow to be an actual hero by coming into politics. This made some Congress leaders lose their sleep.
However, for now, NTR, who would quickly flip sixty on 28 May 1982, went again to movies. The scripts he chosen had political overtones. He was cautious to decide on themes that might put together the bottom for his political debut. Sardar Paparayudu, Justice Chowdary, Chandasasanudu, Bobbili Puli and Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra had been movies meant to provide him a picture that might swimsuit his future political profile. Most of the movies talked about right here had been box-office hits that had enhanced the favored craze for the hero. His charisma and recognition didn’t wane until his final movie.
Plans underneath wraps
NTR began maintaining a tally of the political developments in Andhra Pradesh. He was serious about how his son-in-law Chandrababu Naidu carried out. Bhavanam Venkatram’s efficiency was worse than Anjaiah’s. Indira Gandhi was disillusioned as soon as once more. NTR was getting calls from his associates and followers, saying that it was the appropriate time for him to enter politics.
NTR was conserving his playing cards near his chest. His first steps in the direction of connecting with allies had been taken delicately and slowly. NTR by nature was a really organised individual. As a movie director and producer, he would very methodically put together the script and screenplay, and finalize the actors, lyric writers and music director earlier than graduation of capturing. He got here up in life by means of sheer self-discipline and laborious work. He was not ready to announce his resolution to enter politics earlier than making satisfactory preparations.
Behind the scenes, NTR had spent appreciable time with associates and Telugu students deciding the title of the political social gathering he wished to launch. This was about two weeks earlier than 29 March 1982, when he deliberate to make his large announcement.
Picking a fortunate date
The date 29 March had a particular significance for NTR. It was on that day that his film Paataala Bhairavi was declared a brilliant hit. It was once more on 29 March 1963 that his nice film Lava Kusa was launched. Desoddharakulu, the primary Telugu social movie in color, starring him, was additionally launched on that date in 1973. He believed it was his fortunate date, so he selected to launch his political social gathering on 29 March 1982.
The propitious time fastened was 2.30 p.m. It was within the membership corridor on the primary flooring of New MLA Quarters. Thousands of individuals had gathered there to get a glimpse of NTR. ‘Brothers and sisters,’ stated NTR, ‘For the past few months I have been thinking of entering politics. But I was not sure how people would react to the idea. Now I see that so many of you have come here on your own on learning that I would announce my entry into politics. I am overwhelmed by your response. From this very moment I am entering politics.’
The viewers repeatedly requested the title of the social gathering. He took out the slip from his pocket and in a filmy fashion and skim out: ‘Telugu Desam Party.’ He stated he was a Telugu and his social gathering was Telugu Desam Party. Thus, the TDP was born. He introduced: ‘I am a Telugu man. From today onwards, I have decided to devote myself to the cause of our state. I have decided to fight to revive the glory of our cultural heritage and of our language. Therefore, we will call our party Telugu Desam.’
NTR: A Political Biography; Ramachandra Murthy Kondubhatla, HarperCollins, ₹699.
Excerpted with permission from HarperCollins.
Source: www.thehindu.com