Atlanta, Jan 2013: Dr. Pemmaraju Venugopala Rao, one of the principle architects of Atlanta Indian community, passed away on December 25. He was 80. The community paid rich tributes to Dr P.V. Rao, as he was fondly called, at a well attended funeral service at the Wages and Sons Funeral Home in Stone Mountain on December 29. In his passing, Atlanta lost its multi-faceted creative genius.

Dr Rao was a professor of Nuclear Physics at Emory University. At the behest of the Dalai Lama, he helped establish the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative (ETSI). He was also a poet, artist and a journalist. He has delivered innumerable lectures on Indian culture and spirituality. Dr. Rao was one of the founding fathers of the India American Cultural Association (IACA), and its first president. He was a mentor and a fatherly figure to many institutions and youngsters in the US

Dr Rao joined Emory's physics faculty in 1967. He had obtained Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees at Andhra University in India, coming to the United States in 1959 to pursue his doctorate at the University of Oregon. He retired from Emory in August 2012.

His talents were many. He was a noted writer in Telugu and English languages, painted original themes from Hindu mythology, sculpted Vigrahas (Idols) of Hindu Gods, lectured on Hinduism, Astrology and Astronomy. He was the editor of all publications emanating from Vanguri Foundation of America.

“He will be remembered for his sage advice and for his unflinching devotion to Telugu culture,” said his long time friend, Dr. Satyanarayana Gavarasana. “His books in Telugu and English were cherished by all literature loving persons. His rendering of Tiruppavai (a classic) into English was exceptional and Srungara Satakam of Barthruhari elegant. 
He was a host, par excellence, and hosted many a noted person from India, including Bapu and Vempati China Satyam and Olga.”

“Dr Rao said, ‘Creativity is a necessity. In order to be a true human being, you must possess creativity.’ His life reflects this motto in full measure and he will be remembered as a creative genius,” he said, adding, ”I do not believe that Rao garu is no more as he lives in our hearts and minds. His gracious wife Lakshmi, his daughters Nalini and Saleena and grandson Joseph, remind us of Rao garu. His monumental contribution to the society and literature is a reminder of his greatness.”

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