Kaloji Narayana Rao

The People's Poet (Praja Kavi) of Telangana 

A giant of Telugu letters, Kaloji Narayana Rao (9 September 1914 – 13 November 2002), popularly known as Kaloji or Kalanna, was a freedom fighter, poet, and political activist from Telangana whose life embodied the spirit of truth, justice, and compassion.

Born in Madikonda village, Warangal district (then part of Hyderabad State, now Telangana), his real name was Raghuveer Narayan Lakshmikanth Srinivasa Ramraja Kaloji. Over the course of nearly nine decades, Kaloji witnessed and shaped India’s journey from colonial rule to democracy, and his words became the conscience of Telangana.

A poet of the people (Praja Kavi), Kaloji used literature as a weapon of truth and humour as a means of awakening. His poetry, written in the everyday idiom of Telangana Telugu, spoke directly to the hearts of common people.

“Kaloji was not just a poet of words, but of conscience. His life itself was his greatest poem.”

Early Life and Education

Kaloji was born into a family of scholars and reformers who valued literature, ethics, and social awareness. His brother, Kaloji Rameshwar Rao, an Urdu poet, greatly influenced his literary tastes and moral outlook.

He pursued his early education in Warangal and Hyderabad, where he came into contact with diverse languages — Telugu, Urdu, Marathi, Hindi, and English — and cultures that enriched his worldview. As a young student, he was drawn to the Arya Samaj movement, which emphasized reform, equality, and rationalism.

His first poem, written in 1931 at the age of 17, was a passionate response to the execution of Bhagat Singh, revealing his early sensitivity to injustice and human suffering. From then on, poetry became both his emotional outlet and his form of resistance.

Freedom Fighter and Political Activist

Kaloji played an active and fearless role in India’s freedom struggle and Telangana’s social movements. He participated in:
The Satyagraha Movement for India’s independence
The Osmania University Vandemataram Movement, defying the Nizam’s ban on patriotic songs
The Arya Samaj reform initiatives
The Andhra Mahasabha (Telangana), which sought social reform under the Nizam’s rule
The Anti-Razakar Movement, which fought against autocracy and oppression in the Hyderabad State
He was also part of the State Congress and worked closely with progressive intellectuals who envisioned a democratic Telangana.
Even after independence, Kaloji continued to champion civil liberties and human rights. He was associated with the Tarkunde Committee and became a leading voice in the Civil Liberties Movement of Hyderabad.
He contested elections three times and served as a Member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council (1958–1960). In 1977, he famously ran against then Chief Minister Vengal Rao, representing the fight against authoritarianism during the Emergency.
Despite his deep political commitment, Kaloji never joined any party, maintaining that conscience was his only ideology.

Literary Contributions

Kaloji was among the first modern Telugu poets in Telangana to write in free verse, breaking from classical forms and making poetry accessible to ordinary people. His choice of the Telangana dialect, his unadorned expression, and his incisive humour made him one of the most relatable poets in modern Telugu literature.

His poetry is a blend of wit, irony, protest, and empathy, and reflects the political, social, and moral contradictions of his time.

His landmark work “Na Godava” (My Quarrel) — a multi-volume collection of poems, stories, and essays — is regarded as his magnum opus. The great poet Dasaradhi Krishnamacharya described it as “a commentary on contemporary history.”

His other significant works include:
“Idhi Na Godava” – An autobiographical reflection, rich with humour and philosophical thought
“Kaloji Kathalu” – Short stories inspired by rural Telangana life
“Vijayam Thudi Manadi Jayam” – Poems celebrating struggle and triumph
“Vyavam Parthiva” and “Telangana Udyama Kavithalu” – Poetry of protest and reform
Translations: “Na Bharata Desha Yatra” and “Jeevana Gita” (which earned him the Best Translation Award in 1968)

Kaloji also wrote and translated works in Marathi, Urdu, Hindi, and English, bridging linguistic and cultural communities across India. He claimed no copyright, insisting that “ideas must belong to all.”

Cultural and Linguistic Legacy

Kaloji was one of the earliest champions of Telangana’s cultural and linguistic identity. At a time when the Telangana dialect was looked down upon as rustic, Kaloji proudly used it in his writings, elevating it to the realm of literature.

His work preserved the unique linguistic rhythm, humour, and worldview of Telangana’s people. Recognizing this, the Government of Telangana celebrates September 9 (his birth anniversary) as Telangana Bhasha Dinotsavam (Telangana Language Day) every year.
Personal Life and Character

Kaloji lived a life of simplicity, humility, and integrity. Always seen in khadi, he rejected luxury and practiced what he preached. His fearless honesty, quick wit, and down-to-earth humour made him a beloved figure across the state.

He often said that “Praja Kavi” (People’s Poet) was not a title, but a responsibility — to reflect people’s pain, laughter, and hope.

Despite his rebellious spirit, Kaloji was known for his compassion and respect for all human beings. He often said his poetry was not against people, but against hypocrisy and injustice.

He was also an ardent reader, a passionate storyteller, and a lifelong cricket enthusiast, known for delighting both children and scholars with his anecdotes and humour.

Honours and Recognition

Kaloji’s contribution to literature, politics, and society was widely recognized:
Padma Vibhushan (1992) – India’s second-highest civilian award, for his literary and social service
Tamrapatra (1972) – Recognition as a freedom fighter
Best Translation Award (1968) – For Jeevana Gita
Honorary Doctorate (1992) – Kakatiya University, Warangal
“Praja Kavi” Title – For being the voice of the people
Ramakrishna Rao Burgula Memorial Honour (1981) – For lifelong contributions to society
He also served as:
President, Telangana Rachayitala Sangham (Writers’ Association)
Founding Member, Andhra Saraswatha Parishathu
Member, Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy
Member, Glossary Committee (1957–1961)

Philosophy and Thought

Kaloji’s philosophy was rooted in freedom, equality, and humanism. He believed in the power of individual conscience and in questioning established norms — political, social, or religious.

His self-reflective line —
“Na Godava endhuku? Nenu nene meedha godava.”
(Why this quarrel? It’s a quarrel within myself.)
— captures his essence as a thinker who saw reform as beginning within the self.

Kaloji’s works are often seen as poetry of dissent — a mirror to society’s contradictions and a call to moral awakening.

Final Years and Legacy

Kaloji Narayana Rao passed away on 13 November 2002 in Warangal. In an ultimate act of generosity, he donated his body to Kakatiya Medical College, inspiring thousands to pledge their bodies for medical education and research.

His legacy continues to inspire generations. The Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) was established in his honour in Warangal in 2014. His poems are now part of school and university curricula across Telangana, ensuring that his voice of conscience continues to shape young minds.

Kaloji Narayana Rao — Kaloji, Kalanna, Praja Kavi — was far more than a poet. He was a philosopher, reformer, and moral compass of Telangana. His life, words, and wit remain a timeless reminder that poetry can be both beautiful and brave.

Rooted in the soil of Telangana, he turned the spoken language of the people into the language of truth and resistance. In every sense, Kaloji was not just a poet of words, but a poet of life itself.

https://kaloji.wordpress.com/kalojigodava/