S. K. Ramachandra Rao

Professor Saligrama Krishna Ramachandra Rao, was a well-known Indian scholar who combined traditional learning with modern research. He was proficient in Sanskrit, Pali, Kannada and English.

Prof. Rao explored the depths of the Vedas, Vedanta, Mimamsa Shastra, Agama Shastra, Jyothisya, Shilpa Shastra, Ayurveda, music and musicology. S. K. Ramachandra Rao died on February 2, 2006 at the age of 78.

Early life

Born on September 4, 1927 in Hassan, Karnataka/India, in an orthodox madhva deshastha Brahmin family, Prof. Rao grew up in an atmosphere richly steeped in Indian tradition. Prof. Rao obtained a postgraduate degree in psychology from the University of Mysore and studied Indian philosophy under traditional scholars.

He was married to Mrs. Ramadevi, a psychologist and author, and has two children, Uma and Sudarshan.

Academic achievements

He headed the Department of Clinical Psychology at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). He later headed the Department of Indian Culture, the University of the Pacific, U.S., which had a centre in Bangalore for some years in the late 1960s.

He was senior associate, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) and visiting faculty at the Indian Institute of Management, Indian Institute of Science, College of Fine Arts and Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat. He was visiting professor in College of Nursing, Institute of Social Work and Administration, MES College (Indology), Bangalore University. Guest Faculty, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore and member of the Governing Council of TTD (SVCL Research Center), Tirupati. He was a member of Karnataka State Lalitha Kala Academy and Sangita Nritya Academy; he served on the Agama Board (Govt. of Karnataka). He was the President of Silpa-Kala Pratisthana.

Awards

He received many awards, including the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, Karnataka Lalitakala Academy Award, Karnataka Sangeeta Nritya Academy Award, Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award, Shilpakala Academy Award, Karnataka Kalashri Sanman, DVG Award, "Sangeeta Kalarathna" of Bangalore Gayana Samaj, Vedarathna of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Veda Sanman Award of the Government of India.

Bangalore University had conferred an honorary D.Litt degree on him for his outstanding contribution to Indian philosophy and culture besides his accomplishments as a clinical psychologist. He was the recipient of honorary D.Litt degrees from Tirupati Deemed University and Karnatak University, Dharwad.

Attainments

A prolific writer, Prof. Rao wrote many books on varied subjects. He was also a musicologist, sculptor and painter.

The model of Rabindranath Tagore which he sculpted can be seen in the Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bangalore. Another sculpture is in the Venkatappa Art Gallery.

Closely associated with Kalpaturu Research Academy which much later became a part of the Sringeri Sharada Peetam, he brought out several books in Iconography, Agama etc. and was in the process of publishing a multi-volume translation of the Rig Veda.

The Hill Shrine of Vengadam, an encyclopediac work on the well-known Tirupati shrine's architecture, rituals and the hoary legends, is one of several popular books Prof. Rao authored. His translation of Sri Tattvanidhi of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar is continuing to influence scholars.

Learning Pali under Bhadantha Narada Mahathera enabled Prof Rao to explore Buddhist traditions and establish the similarities it has with Vaidika Dharma.

He embellished most of his books with his own drawings and sketches. He guided several students in subjects like sculpture and music. Purusha Saraswathi, a book on his guru Sangeetha Kalanidhi Rallapalli Ananthakrishna Sharma is a treat to both students and connoisseurs alike.

He was one of the contributors to the Students' Britannica India where he has written on Temples of India.

Right now, a trust is formed under the chairmanship of Dr S. R. Sudarshan to further his works. The trust is looking to collect his writings (both scholarly and otherwise), his speeches and publish them. The trust can be contacted at : Prof S. K. Ramachandra Rao Memorial Trust, 305, 6th cross, I Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560 011, Ph : +91-80-26563957

Published works

Some of the books authored by him:

1. The Tantrik Practices in Sri-Vidya ISBN 81-7030-836-4
2. Srividya Kosa ISBN 81-7030-832-1
3. Art and Architecture of Indian Temples ISBN 0836431154
4. Encyclopedia of Indian Medicine: Clinical Examination and Diagnostic Methods ISBN 0836423240
5. Navagraha Kosa, 2 Vols. ISBN 8170308399
6. The Agama Encyclopedia: Consecrations (in 12 Volumes) I- Introduction, II- Saiva & Sakta Agamas, III- Vaikhanasa Agamas, IV- Pancaratragama, V- Devyagama, VI- Alaya & Aradhana, VII- Preparation for Puja, VIII- Mudras in Puja, IX- Consecration, X- Nityarcana, XI- Utsavas, XII- Source Book ISBN 8170308119, ISBN 8170308127, ISBN 8170308135, ISBN 8170308143, ISBN 8170308151, ISBN 817030816X, ISBN 8170308178, ISBN 8170308186, ISBN 8170308194, ISBN 8170308208, ISBN 8170308216, ISBN 8170308224
7. The Compendium on Ganesa ISBN 8170308283
8. Encyclopedia of Indian Iconography: Hinduism-Buddhism-Jainism (In 3 Volumes) ISBN 81-7030-764-3
9. Tantrik Traditions in Tibet ISBN 81-7030-747-3
10. Vital Force In Health And Disease ISBN 81-7030-741-4
11. Devalaya - Vastu Volume 1
12. Darsanodaya Early Indian Thought
13. Rgveda-darsana in 6 volumes
14. Siva-kosha Vol.2
15. Vishnu-kosha
16. Salagrama - Kosha ( 2 Volumes)
17. Durga Kosha
18. Hanumat Kosha
19. Purusha Sukta
20. Gita Kosha ( Trisati)
21. Sri-Tattva-Nidhi
22. Lalita-Kosha ISBN 81-7030-882-8. 97881-7030-882-9
23. Development of Psychological Thought in India 1962 Mysore Publishing
24. "Vastu-Silpa-Kosha=Encyclopaedia of Hindu Temple Architecture and Vastu. Delhi.Divine Books., ISBN.978- 93-81219-50-1, 978-93-81218-51-8.(Set.)(Lala Murari Lal Chharia Oriental Series.
25. " Lalitaarchana-Chandrika,Hymns to Lalita form of Tripurasundari...,Delhi,Divine Books, ISB. 978-93- 81218-45-7. (Lala Murari Lal Chharia Oriental Series.

Some books and CDs published by the trust in memory of him:

Books:

1. Shri Raghavendra Swamigalu
2. dandiya avanthi sundari - ondu sankshiptha kathana
3. Shri Purandara Dasaru ISBN 978-81-906740-4-1
4. Bodhiya Belakinalli ISBN 978-81-906740-6-5
5. The three Acharyas : Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhwa
6. Teachings of the Buddha ISBN 978-81-906740-2-7
7. Temples: Icons and Rituals ISBN 978-81-906740-5-8
8. Jainism in South India ISBN 978-81-906740-7-2
9. The Hill Shrine of Tirupati ISBN 978-81-906740-9-6
10. Sharada Peethada Manikya

CDs:

Kannada:

1. Prasthana Traya
2. Vedadina Vedanthakke
3. Raamaanujachaarya
4. Madhwacharyaa
5. Karnataka sangeetha mathu Purandaradasaru
6. Bhagavadgeetheya Sandesha
7. Abhinava Guptha
8. Ramayana
9. Maadhwa Siddhantha
10. Stress mathu Ayurveda
11. Pathanjaliya Yoga Sutragalu
12. Raghavendra Swamijiyavara Geetha vivruthi
13. Vishnu theertharu
14. Bhagavadgeetheya Vaishishta
15. Shankarachaarya mathu avara sidhdhantha - ondu vishleshane
16. Saankya Sutragalu
17. Upanishanthinalli Vidyegalu
18. Shankarachaaryara Sandesha
19. Shankarachaaryaru mathu Madhusudhana Saraswati
20. Tripura Rahasya
21. Veda mathu adara vishleshane
22. Hathayoga Pradeepika
23. Gayathri Upasane
24. Vedanthada Ugama
25. Shankara's Adhyasa Bhashya

English:

1. Veda - an introduction
2. Siva Sutras
3. Talks on Indology
4. Sankarachaarya, his life and contribution
5. Darsanas

External links

• The Hindu 3 Feb 2006
• Prof SKR trust website