Damerla Rama Rao

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Damerla Rama Rao is an artist in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Rama Rao was born on March 8, 1897 at Rajahmundry. He was born to Physician Dr. Damerla Venkata Rama Rao and Lakshmi Devi as a second child in the group of five girls and four boys.

He was intensely inclined towards the art of painting and sketching since childhood. Rao with his father went to Sisil N. Burns, who was the Dean of arts in Mumbai School of Arts in 1916. The sketches of an untrained, unexposed Rama Rao surprised and impressed the Dean which resulted into his admission directly into the third year of fine arts course.

Rao was married to Satya Vani in 1919. He completed his arts course with distinction in 1920.

He sent his paintings, Rushya Srunga Bhangam and Turpu Kanumallo Godavari to the exhibition organised by Oriental Society. Viceroy of India award was conferred to Rama Rao for his former painting and the later was purchased by the then Viceroy Lord Reading.

He travelled through various locations in the country and in 1922 he settled in Rajahmundry. He instituted an organisation 'Andhra Society of Indian Arts' and continued with his effort to bring the best out of him. He organised a national level art exhibition in Rajahmundry for the first time in the region.

He passed away on February 6, 1925.

Varada Venkata Rathnam established an art gallery in the name of Satya Vani, which was inaugurated by Durgabai Deshmukh in 1957.

Damerla Rama Rao Memorial Art Gallery is established in Rajahmundry.