Narla Collection of Books

Narla library in B R Ambedkar Open University

Sri Narla Venkateswara Rao, popularly known as “Narla” was born on 1st December, 1908 into a Telugu family of Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India. His initial education was through Hindi Medium though he later took his B.A. Degree from Andhra University. Journalism, not very popular or remunerative in those days, had been the first love of Narla who started his career with Swarajya on a paltry salary of rupees twenty five per month in 1935. Prior to joining Swarajya he had contributed to Bharathi, Samadarsini, Prajamitra as a freelance journalist in Telugu. His publications Swadesh Samsthanamulu and Neti Russia had brought him recognition and fame. After a few stints with Samadarsini and Prajamitra, he joined as News Editor of Andhra Prabha on 1st August, 1938. Thereafter he became the Editor and continued in that capacity till 1959. Under his editorship, Prabha’s circulation grew to a phenomenal 57,000. He wielded his pen against the mighty and moulded public opinion according to his world view. Whether it was Prakasam or Viswanatha or Rajagopalachari or Ranga or the communists, he spared none. Under his stewardship Andhra Jyothi shifted the business of journalism from a fight against the establishment to a pursuit of development symbolizing post independent, resurgent India. During the same period he published several short-plays, collections of poems, Kottagadda, Kaaka Sapatakam, narlavarimata, Jagannatakam, and monographs on Vereesalingam and Vemana for Central Sahitya Akademi. Narla became a Rajya Sabha member in 1958 and again in 1965. He made his presence felt in Parliament by his eloquence and constructive ideas. He extensively toured foreign countries and several parts of India in his capacity as a Member of Parliament and Press Council of India. Since his contributions to literature, journalism and politics are manifold, it is difficult to fit his monumental genius into any one frame. He was a man of many achievements, but of them all, Narla brought journalism from the elite to the masses, from the smoke-filled drawing rooms to the grassroots, from classicism to colloquialism. Narla did to journalism what Sri Sri did to poetry, he brought it down to earth from cloudy heights. His death in 1985 left a void in the field of Andhra Journalism.
In fond memory of late Narla, his wife late Mrs.Narla Sulochana and her family members donated his entire life collection of over 18,000 books to Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Open University Library, Hyderabad, India in 1995 together with an amount of rupees one lakh for organizing an endowment lecture on his birthday every year. In 2002, the family members have generously donated another five lakhs rupees for maintaining the library. The university contributed a matching grant of rupees four lakhs and the total amount of ten lakhs is made into fixed deposit. The income from this deposit is utilized to organize the endowment lecture and for maintenance of library.
The university has been organizing the lecture meeting every year on 1st December. The topics were:
In 1996 – Smt. V.S. Ramadevi, Former Governor, Karnataka State on “Reservation for Women in Legislation”

In 1997 – Sri. G.S. Bhargava, noted journalist on “Corruption in Public Life”.

In 1998 – Dr.N.Jayaprakash Narayana, Lok Satta Convener on “ Political Parties and Democracy”

In 1999 - Sri. Potturi Venkateswara Rao, Former Chairman, A.P., Press Academy on
“Language Standards in Telugu Journals”

In 2000 – Sri. T.H. Choudary, Former advisor to Govt. of A.P. on “Frightful Problems in India – Favoured Solutions”

In 2001 – Sri C. Raghavachary, noted journalist on “Narla – Path Finder in Telugu Journalism”

In 2002 – Sri. A.B.K Prasad, Senior Journalist on “Foreign Investment in Print Media”

In 2003 – Sri I.Venkata Rao, Former Chairman, A.P.Press Academy on “Telugu News Papers” – Development and priorities”

In 2004 - Sri.V.Hanumantha Rao, Renowned Journalist on “Parliamentary Democracy and people”

In 2005 - Sri.K.Ramachandra Murthy,Editor,Andhra Jyothi on “Newspapers – Society”

In 2006 - Sri.M.V.R.Sastry, Editor,Andhra Bhoomi on '' Telugu Newspapers – Credibility”



In 2007 - Sri M.Rajendra, Former Editor, India Today(Telugu) on “ Journalism – Narla's Perspective”

The subject-wise collection of books in Narla Library are as follows:

000 Computer science, information & general works - 486 books
100 Philosophy & psychology - 849
200 Religion - 1404
300 Social sciences - 540
400 Language - 256
500 Science - 298
600 Technology - 220
700 Arts & recreation - 722
800 Literature - 5929
900 History & geography - 7296

Database of Narla collection is created and is accessible through Local Area Network. Shortly, the above collection may also be accessible through the internet. These books are available to general public for reference on all working days between 10.30 A.M. to 1.30 P.M.
Dr.Sujata, director , Library of the University.