Kala Venkata Rao
His life furnishes a pattern of honor and patriotism. He is a man of fine capacities well employed, of great opportunities patriotically used. He is an example of rare self sacrifice.
He was born at Mukkamala, July 7th 1900. He was educated at the Malapuram High School, where he was quickly marked as a rising man. For some time he studied at Vizianagaram College but later on joined the Nobel College, Masulipatnam. The subtle flexibility of his intellect brought him to the fore.
By his lucid speeches he endeared himself to the students. He won many prizes in the College rhetorical contests. In 1920 he won the gold medal in the oratorical competitions held under the auspices of the Andhra Student's Conference.
K.L. Kamat/Kamat's Potpourri
Kala Venkata Rao
His greatest failing was his strength. His optimism blinded him to dangers. In 1921 he left the college and joined the Non Cooperation Movement. He attended the Ahemedabad Congress and on his way back was arrested and sentenced to one year's imprisonment.
That he lacked neither courage nor energy he quickly showed by working as the assistant Captain of Volunteers in the Cocanada Congress. Then he was elected a Chairman of the Reception Committee of the All India Students Conference.
Thereafter he settled in the rural areas and is carrying on an intensive reconstruction programme. So brilliant is his success in this modest sphere that he won over the minds of the masses. He has kept propped up the useful portions of the old structure while remodeling the social fabric. As a political worker he holds the pride of place.
In 1930 he led a batch of Satyagrahis towards the salt pans. He was arrested and sentenced to one year's imprisonment. In 1932 he was again convicted for six months. He was the Secretary of the East Godavari District Congress Committee for thirteen years. In 1936 he voluntarily retired. He was for sometime the Secretary of the Andhra Provincial Congress Committee and has been a member of the A.I.C.C.
From 1927-36 he was a member of the Amalapuram and Rajahmundry Taluka Boards, the East Godavari District Board and the District Educational Council. He has won the affectionate regard of the people by his expert guidance and candid criticisms.
He is the Honorary Secretary of the Sree Konaseema Co-operative Central Bank Ltd., and the Director of the Madras Co-operative Provincial Bank Ltd. in 1935 he presided over the West Godavari District Co-operative Conference and in 1937 he was the president elect of the Madras Provincial Co-operative Bankers' Conference. His acute understanding of the needs of the movement and his powers of leadership have served to enhance his popularity.
He is not a "Drum and Trumpet" politician. He is a silent worker who believes in sustained effort. Politically he is wedded to Gandhiism. The changes in political fashions of thought have not influenced him. His influence has been more abiding on the mass mind because his views are not mere embodiments of passing theories but deeply rooted in the great-historical Indian tradition.
He is a unique personality. He is a man of weight. He has attained eminence as a brilliant speaker. His speeches are felicitous in phrase and full of thought.
In the last election he was opposed by the Yuvaraja of Pathapuram. Mr.K.Venkatarao floored his opponent and was returned to the Assembly. His vision is immense, intellect unfounded and integrity stainless. His fame as a political leader rests on the fact that he has borne his mental and physical trail with steady fortitude and abiding cheerfulness.
Source: Haripura Congress Souvenir, 1938
