Sthanam Narasimha Rao [2021] -

Sthanam’s career spanned over four decades (1924–1960), during which he performed in more than . He was particularly renowned for his command over Sringara rasa (the erotic/romantic sentiment), which he brought to life through several iconic characters:

When he died in 2004, the funeral was not attended by the pomp and ceremony usually reserved for a former PM. It was quiet. Scholarly. A reflection of the man himself.

Sthanam also authored an autobiography titled , which serves as a vital record of his vast acting experiences and the evolution of Telugu theatre. He passed away on February 21, 1971 , leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire practitioners of classical Indian drama.

There is a unique kind of tragedy in Indian politics—the tragedy of .

Into this inferno stepped a 70-year-old mild-mannered Congress leader from Telangana. Rao was not a firebrand. He was a scholar who spoke 17 languages, translated the Mahabharata into Telugu, and read Sanskrit poetry for fun.

If you are an Indian who enjoys:

He was the first artist from Andhra Pradesh to receive this prestigious civilian award from the Government of India.