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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