Peda Ramaswamy, the grandfather of NTR, Was a land lord and had 80 acres of land. The Land was divided among his four sons and the family was reduced to a middle class family. Ramaswamy’s eldest son’s name was Ramaiah. The second son’s name was Lakshmaiah Chowdary, who was the father of NTR. His mother’s name was Venkataravamma. As Ramaiah had no children, he adopted NTR as his son. NTR’s younger brother’s name is Trivikrama Rao.
NTR studied up to 5th class in his native place and his teacher’s name was Valluru Subba Rao. NTR acted in dramas since his childhood. NTR left his native place to Vijayawada, for high-school studies and joined in Gandhi municipal high school of 1 town.
After passing the school –final examination, he joined in S.R.R and C.V.R. College to study intermediate course. At that time his family’s condition was not good and they sold out 10 acres of land to clear the debts. So NTR’s parents came to Vijayawada to look after him and his studies.
His father Laxmaiah set up the dairy farm for selling the milk. NTR also used to supply the milk to hotels, by riding on his Hercules bicycle. At the time of studying the intermediate course, two things happened in the life of NTR.
1. He began to take active part to act in the dramas (since his 20th year). He acted in a drama portraying a female role viz;’’ Nagamma’’.
2. He married “Basavatarakam’’ a nearest relative to him in 1942.
Whatever the cause may be NTR failed in the intermediate examination two times. He never got disappointed in spite of the relatives’ remarks against him and his education. The great thing about NTR was, he never accepted the defeat since his childhood. Leadership qualities were more in him. He is a born leader.
With the consent of his father, he had been to Bombay (Mumbai), to get training in sound recording system. He discarded the training as the conditions were not favorable. While he was in Bombay, he set up a meals hotel viz; ‘’Andhra Mess’’, there also he used to tell the customers about the greatness of the Telugu people. He returned to Vijayawada, at the call of his father. He did also tobacco business. At this time his foster father Ramaiah died due to ill health. Anyhow with the stint of hard work, he passed the intermediate examination.
Now he joined in BA course in AC College Guntur. At this time he got cinema offers but he refused to act in films. He passed BA in 1947 (in the same year India got independence). At this a son was born and his name was Ramakrishna.
In May 1947, NTR had been to Madras (Chennai) to act in cinemas but returned without acting. In the mean time he got a job in the military but his father did not permit him to join in that field.
3. Job opportunities: NTR appeared for the service commission exam. Out of thousands of candidates who appeared for the exam, only 12 members passed. NTR was one among them. He joined the post of sub- registrar in Guntur. The salary was Rs 190/ month.
Again he received offers from Madras to act in films. NTR was not in a firm position to take any decision. His younger brother ,Trivikrama Rao and another person viz; Chalapathi Rao (joint-registrar) encouraged NTR to go to Madras to act in films, as there is no sufficient income in government job to make both the ends meet. Moreover the circumstances in this job are not conducive to his mentality. He got bad experiences while discharging the duties, like bribes etc.
So NTR left for Madras to act in the films. NTR never worked against his consciousness. NTR continued in the job for 11 days only.
4. Cinema life:
In Madras, NTR met L.V. Prasad (actor and producer), who advised him to meet B.A. Subbarao who astonished after seeing NTR’S Personality. He was 5 feet 10 inches in height and 75 -80 kg in weight.
Immediately Subbarao obtained an agreement from NTR to act in his film and paid 1000 rupees as remuneration (at that time it was a big amount). One time meals cost ½ rupee only.
Then he returned to Guntur and resigned the job. He left for Madras alone, for good, to act in films. He stayed in a lodge namely ‘’Poornam’s lucky lodge’’ along with three friends, whatever the cause may be, luckily all of them settled in cinema field.
NTR’s first movie: Mana Desam (our country).
His role: Sub-inspector.
Later he became legend in movies and politics. He founded Telugu Desam party which came to power just within 9 months.
Everyone knew the movie and political history of Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao. We may never a person like N.T. Rama Rao in our life time. We are lucky in that aspect. Telugu Desam leaders and cadre should work hard to keep the spirit and values of our “Anna”.
