Garikapati mohan rao biography

Garikapati Narasimha Rao

Telugu literary performer

Garikipati Narasimha Rao

Garikipati Narasimha Rao

Born (1958-09-14) September 14, 1958 (age 66)

Bodapadu Agraharam, Pentapadu mandal, near Tadepalligudem, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India.

NationalityIndian
EducationM.A, M.Phil, PhD
Occupation(s)Orator, Avadhani and Author in Telugu
WorksSagaraghosha, Vyaktitva Deepam, Ishta Daivam, Vaikuntapali, Avadhana Shathakam
SpouseKameshwari (never married - had 2 sons in a live-in relationship). Sarada[1][citation needed]
Children2 son's
Parents
  • Garikipati Venkata Suryanarayana (father)
  • Garikipati Venkata Ramana (mother)
AwardsPadma Shri (2022)
Websitehttps://srigarikipati.com/

Garikipati Narasimha Rao is an Indian scholar, litterateur, and avadhani from Andhra Pradesh.[2][3] In 1996, he performed Avadhanam with 1116 Pruchchakas for 21 days in Kakinada. He also delivers lectures on personality development based on dharmic culture and way of life. He regularly appears on Telugu TV channels like SVBC, Bhakti TV, and ABN Andhra Jyothi giving discourses on ancient Hindu texts like Bhagavadgita, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. In 2022, he was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian awardPadma Shri by the government of India.[4]

Personal life

Rao was born on 14 September 1958 to the couple Venkata Surya Narayana and Venkata Ramanamma.

Allegations by Kameshwari

Reference <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaqVl54kias>. Per media reports and various accounts, in December 2024 and January 2025, Mr.Rao fathered two sons with Kameshwari (who, at that time, was legally married to his elder brother and was two years older than him). Mr.Rao accepted he is the father of the two sons Sri Sri and Gurajada born to his then-sister-in-law, while she was still legally married to his elder brother (unknowing to his elder brother), however, he denied he was ever married to Kameshwari.

On January 8th, 2025, Kameshwari came to media and alleged domestic violence by Mr. Rao, during her stay with him for over 15 years. Kameshwari, provided court records and evidence to the press, given she was still legally married to Mr.Rao's elder brother for 15 years for the sake of the two children, the courts have ruled they never had a formal marriage, so she was not eligible for a formal divorce, nor alimony per Indian Marriage Law. Back then, given Mr.Rao did not have any income and was dependent on Kameshwari's teacher job income, so he was not ordered to pay any child support for the two children he fathered with Kameshwari. Per Kameshwari, Mr.Rao used to siphon the money she earned working as a teacher for his daily expenses as he was jobless and penniless. Reference <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaqVl54kias>.

Second wife

Rao married his second wife Sarada who is 30 years younger to him and she is from Amalapuram, East Godavari.[1]

Children

Mr. Rao named his elder son after the great Telugu poet Srirangam Srinivasarao, who has completed his Hotel management and working as a General manager. His younger son Gurajada was named after the great Telugu poet Gurajada Apparao, has pursued his Master's, M.Phil. and PhD in Telugu at the University of Hyderabad. Dr. Gurajada has delivered over 200 lectures across Telugu states as a motivational and spiritual speaker.

Career

Rao started performing Avadhanams in the year 1972. Avadhanis are respected for their abilities to spin out verses conforming to Telugu grammar on literally any subject that audience may throw at them, as a challenge. He has conducted more than 288 avadhanams, including Dvigunita Avadhanam at Dallas for the American Telugu Association in 2002. Rao is known for his Dhāraṇā (memorising and reciting), which is a key requirement for performing Avadhanams.

On 26 November 2018, while at Koti Deepotsavam Stage, Rao emotionally announced that very soon he will retire from discoursing pravachanams and public speeches after completing already accepted projects, in order to attain inner peace and enlightenment but later he changed his decision per public requests and to help and activate the society through his way of speeches.[5]

Literary works

  • Sagara Ghosha (Padya Kavyam)
  • Mana Bharatam (padya kavyam )
  • Bashpa guccham (padya kavita samputi)
  • pallavi (songs)
  • Mahasahasravadhanam
  • Dwi satavadhanam
  • Dharadharana
  • Kavitakhandika satavadhanam
  • Moukhika sahityam (parisodhana)
  • Pillala bommala Telugu nighantuvu
  • Maa Amma (padyalu)
  • Avadhana satakam (2 Vol)
  • Vaikunthapali
  • Ishta Daivam
  • Vyaktitva Deepam
  • Ocean Blues (English version of Sagara Ghosha

Awards

References

Garikipati Narasimha Rao First Wife kameswari LIVE on Marriages <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaqVl54kias>