| Madapati Hanumantha Rao | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 22, 1885 Pokkunuru, Nandigama Tq, Krishna Dt.Andhra Pradesh,India. |
| Died | November 11, 1970 Hyderabad |
| Other names | Andhra Pithamaha |
| Occupation | Politician |
Madapati Hanumantha Rao (Telugu : మాడపాటి హనుమంత రావు) (January 22, 1885 – November 11, 1970) was the first mayor of the city of Hyderabad, India. He was a social reformer and also started one of the first schools for girls in India, the Madapati Hanumantha Rao Girl's High School, in Narayanguda, Hyderabad. This school was set up exclusively for female students during the Nizam regime. The school was established in 1928 with only 35 students by Padmashree Madapati Hanumantha Rao to improve literacy among women. The school evolved over the years into an institution of excellence with 3,000 girl students. Rao took part actively in Grandhalayodyamam in Telangana region during Nizam rule. He also holds the title 'Andhra Pithamaha'.
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Hanumantha Rao was born in the Pokkunuru village of Nandigama taluka (presently in Chandarlapadu mandal), Krishna district on the same day of the formation of "Indian National Congress". He was born to Madapati Venkatappaya and Venkatasubbamma in a Aruvela Niyogi Bramhin family. His father worked as gramadhikari in their village. Hanumantha Rao grew up in his village along with his elder brother Tirumala Rao. He lost his father at the age of five after which he moved to his uncle Jamalapuram Venkata Rao's village Peshkar in Suryapeta tehsil.
Madapati Hanumantharao finished his primary education in Suryapeta and Warangal. After graduating from high school, he joined the Office of Educational Inspector in Warangal and worked for eight years as a clerk. Then he went to Hyderabad and worked for 5 years as a Telugu translator in the Nizam government. He then graduated in law in 1917 and became a lawyer. He retired after 24 years of successful law practice.
Madapati started Andhra Mahasabha in 1930 and played a historical role in inspiring the Telugu people. He was closely associated with Nilagiri and Telugu Patrika Journals. He wrote several articles in the journals like Sujata, Andhrabharati, Desabandhu, Golaconda etc. He has translated many stories and novels from Marathi and Bengali languages to Telugu. He wrote many essayes in Telugu, Kannada, Urdu and Hindi languages.He is also a writer and poet. His writings include Roman Samraajyam, Kshetrakaalapu Hindvaaryulu, Mahabharata Sameeksha, Garibaldi Jeevitacharitra, Mallikaaguccham etc. Osmania University awarded Doctor of Literature to him in 1956 for his service to literature. He was the first mayor of Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elected in 1951.He was first chair person of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, constituted on July 7, 1958 and worked up to 1963. The Indian government awarded him as Padmabhushan. He was the first Teluguan who received this award in 1955.He was responsible for the development of Telugu Language and Culture in Telangana. Madapati Hanumantha Rao, who became secretary in 1915, raised more funds for the growth of the Sri Krishnadevaraya Andhra Bhasha Nilayam which is located in Sultan Bazar,Hyderabad.
His first marriage was with his niece Annpurnamma in 1904. Annapurnamma gave birth to a daughter. After his first wife’s death in 1917, he married Manikyamma in 1918 and had a son, Sukumar. His son Sukumar was married to Sucheta daughter of Dr.Erra Jaganmohan Rao of warangal. Manikyamma was also active participant of Andhra Mahasabha. During his last days,Madapati was ill over a year and died on 11 November 1970 at the age of 86 years in Andhra Kuteeram,Hanuman Tekdi, Hyderabad.