My Boyhood Friend

R. M. V. S. RAO, M. A., BAR-AT-LAW
Retired Sub-Judge, Bellary

Mr. Ramakotiswara Rau and myself were friends from our boyhood. Our families have been friends for the last three generations, as he himself used to say, covering a period of nearly a century. His father, late lamented Viyyanna Pantulu garu, was my father’s tutor first and then he and his first son were our standing counsel. Our families were so intimate as we always felt quite at home in each other’s house as if we all belonged to one family.

Late Ramakotiswara Rau set up his practice but he did not seem to have taken to it kindly. Evidently his predilections lay elsewhere. As soon as non-cooperation movement was started he jumped into politics and was sent to jail. After he came out he was for sometime attached to Andhra Jateeya Kalasala of Machilipatnam and for sometime to the Swarajya, started by late lamented T. Prakasam Pantulu garu. At last he took to journalism and founded Triveni and sacrificed his all for it. Itpassed through its ups and downs and had a chequered career. But it was kept alive with the support of his friends and admirers. It is indeed one of our high class journals with articles contributed by eminent scholars and distinguished gentlemen. It is really a living monument of his life work. I do hope it will be continued with the help of its readers and that of the Centre and State Governments. I also hope a fitting memorial will be raised to perpetuate his name and fame.

Our friendship was purely personal based on mutual affection and so never came into clash with our respective professions, which in those days used to be treated as hostile to each other. He was as innocent as a child and a man of sweet temper. Although he was short in stature he was a giant in culture and intellect.

Here I may refer to an incident just to show his broad-mindedness and large-heartedness. Taking advantage of our intimacy with each other I gave him a pet name, namely Baby, as he was looking so diminutive in company of his friends like myself. Even after he attained his eminence I was addressing him as Baby in the presence of all the people. But then I realised I was taking undue liberty with him and I expressed to him my regret and tendered my sincere apology. His reply was characteristic of his generous heart. he said, “I say, Rao, who  is there now except you, to call me in such endearing and affectionate and fraternal way? I enjoy it and so, go ahead. There is no need for apology.” I was rather taken aat his simplicity and sincerity and it brought grateful tears to my eyes.

His demise is a distinct loss to our country as it is not possible to find people of that rare type nowadays.

About four years we had the honour, pleasure and privilege of having him as our distinguished guest for a fortnight or so. We felt proud of it and we thoroughly enjoyed his genial and enlightening company and fully enjoyed his talks of high order. We regretted very much that his stay here was so short.

I saw him last on 1-3-1970 and I was shocked to find him in that condition. He was bedridden and he was reduced to skin and bone and appeared like a small child in a cradle. I could not stop shedding tears. I thought that my good old boyhood friend’s life journey had come to an end. I could only pray to God to give him as much relief as possible from his suffering. I left him most reluctantly but he had always been in my mind.

He was being nursed by his noble and devoted wife. Our hearts go forth to her and their son at this juncture as she was deprived of her dear life-long companion. He passed away peacefully on 19-5-1970 plunging his friends and relations in an ocean of sorrow.

It is no doubt God’s will and nobody can go against His decrees. Yet, we should pray that God in His infinite mercy will be pleased to grant her and her son enough strength of mind to bear this tremendous loss and calamity with courage and fortitude. Let us also pray to grant perfect peace to the departed, noble soul. As he was one of the most pious men, and thus one of the favourites of God, he was taken away during Uttarayana on Sri Narasimha Jayanti day.