Eminent Personalities

He was born on 5 January 1945. His father served as the karanam (village officer) of a small village near Parvathipuram, and Ganesh's primary education took place there. As that village had no high school, his father bought a house in Parvathipuram and kept Ganesh there with his grandmother to continue his studies. Taking advantage of the time when he was not closely watched, he began acting in plays and started reading literature alongside his school books. Soon after, the entire family moved to Parvathipuram. Inspired by Ravisastri of that period, he tried to write metrical poetry in the local Visakha dialect, but did not succeed. After completing his P.U.C., he joined Andhra University for higher studies. There, as joint secretary of the university's cultural association, he began writing plays and staging them.

The playlet "Koduku Puttala" brought him fame across the whole of India. It was translated into all Indian languages and broadcast on All India Radio and Doordarshan. Ganesh Patro, who began writing around 1970, earned a reputation as a first-rank playwright within five years. Though his works were few, every playlet and play he wrote came alive on stage and won the appreciation of connoisseurs. He was a gifted writer who brought a fresh fragrance to the choice of subject, the narration, characterization, the blending of scenes and the crafting of dialogue. A hallmark of his style was the powerful way he revealed a problem through events. Plays such as Mrityunjayudu, Terachiraju, Tarangalu and Asurasandhya, and playlets such as Koduku Puttala, Pavala, Labham, Triveni and "Agandi! Koncham Alochinchandi" are among the finest works that won the love of Andhra audiences.

From 1970 to the 1990s he provided dialogues and stories for many films. After a gap of fifteen years he returned to cinema and wrote the dialogues for "Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu". He also penned the song "Hello Guru Premakosamera Ee Jeevitham" in the film "Nirnayam".

The films for which he wrote dialogues include several hits such as Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu, Nirnayam, Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu, Rudraveena, Talambralu, Preminchu Pelladu, Mayuri, Manishiko Charitra, Guppedu Manasu, Idi Katha Kaadu and Mapallelo Gopaludu. Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013) (dialogues, along with Srikanth Addala). 9 Nelalu (2001).

Nirnayam (1991) (dialogues, songs), Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu (1991), Rudraveena (1988), Gowtami (1987), Talambralu (1986), Preminchu Pelladu (1985), Mayuri (1984), Manishiko Charitra (1984), Guppedu Manasu (1979) (dialogues).

Idi Katha Kaadu (1979), Maro Charitra (1978), Attavarillu (1976).

Suffering from cancer and undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai, Ganesh Patro passed away at the age of 69 on the morning of Monday, 5 January 2015.

Compiled.

Sri Yellumahanthi Bhaskara Rao

Sri Yellumahanthi Bhaskara Rao of Palakonda, Andhra Pradesh, was an eminent Sistakaranam personality and a towering figure in the community's political history. He initially served as Personal Assistant (PA) to the Rajah of Kurupam. Known for his uncompromising honesty, he voluntarily left that prestigious position to serve the public directly.

He went on to serve as President of the Panchayat for 20 consecutive years, earning the trust and respect of people across the region. Such was his reputation for integrity and legal acumen that the British Collector granted him a SANAD — an official authorisation to practise law — even without any formal legal qualification. This was an extraordinary recognition reserved for individuals of exceptional calibre.

A committed member of the Indian National Congress, Sri Bhaskara Rao contested and won the election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) — making him the first and, to this day, the only MLA from the Sistakaranam community in Andhra Pradesh. He served the people tirelessly until his demise in 1951. The community takes immense pride in his legacy of honesty, public service, and political achievement.

Late Khaspa Ranganatham Pathak

Late Khaspa Ranganatham Pathak (who used the surname "Pathak" instead of the more common "Patnaik") was the Chairman of Veeraghattam Panchayat in Srikakulam district. He was a man of great stature and was held in high esteem by people in and around the town.

The Khaspa family resided in "Khaspa House" — a grand structure located at the entrance of Veeraghattam town, which was a landmark in itself. Apart from his role in local governance, Sri Ranganatham also managed "Sri Rama Touring Talkies" of the town, reflecting the family's diverse interests and influence.

His legacy continued through his distinguished children:

• Sri Khaspa Kaleswar Rao — one of the earliest IITians from IIT Kharagpur, who retired at a very senior level under the Government of Odisha.
• Sri Khaspa Madhav Rao — his second son, a well-known contemporary of Sri Laxmipathi Rao.
• Mrs Khaspa Leela — his daughter, who married Sri K V Chalapathi Rao, once a member of the Senate of Andhra Pradesh. Sri Chalapathi Rao's brother, Sri Mangapathi Rao, retired as an IAS officer (from the ranks) in Andhra Pradesh.

Sri Kaleswar Rao and Sri Chalapathi Rao are settled in Visakhapatnam.

As narrated by a senior community member.