He submitted his thesis at University of Pennsylvania and was awarded Ph.D
Renowned linguist and former Vice-Chancellor of Hyderabad Central University, Prof. Bhadriraju Krishnamurti (84), passed away after a brief illness in a private hospital here in the early hours of Saturday. He is survived by wife, three sons and a daughter.
Born on June 19, 1928 at Ongole, he exhibited his intellectual prowess at an early age with his first composition of poems coming out when he was just 13 years. The transformation of a poet in Bhadriraju Krishnamurti into a linguist became evident under the tutelage of G.J. Somayaji, Head of the Department of Telugu in Andhra University, from where he passed BA (Honours) as university topper in 1948. He started working on Telugu verbal roots, analysing and comparing them with cognates from other Dravidian languages as lecturer in Andhra University. A Fulbright and Smith-Mundt Fellowship in 1953 paved way for him to pursue masters degree in linguistics at University of Pennsylvania during 1954-55.
Later, under a fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation, he went to University of California, where he worked under the guidance of Prof. M.B. Emeneau on his seminal work on Telugu Verbal Bases. He submitted his thesis at University of Pennsylvania and was awarded Ph.D.
After his return to India in October 1956, he published his most influential paper in comparative Dravidian languages – i/e and u/o alternation in South Dravidian in Language, the journal of Linguistic Society of America. He then worked in Andhra, Sri Venkateswara and Osmania Universities. He was the V-C of HCU from 1986 to 1993. His demise marks the end of an era in Indian linguistics and Dravidian studies. Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, in a message, expressed grief over the demise of. Bhadriraju Krishnamurti and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family. University of Hyderabad also mourned his demise.
Keywords: Bhadriraju Krishnamurti
Krishnamurthy is a world-renowned linguist and made a big name for
himself in the academic world. But he didn't have any love for his
mother tongue. It’s a wellknown fact that BHK was one of the major
hurdles in granting Classical Status to Telugu, along with the other
Telugu member of that committee. In fact, only after four years of
agitation led by Shri A.B.K Prasad and Shri Mandali Buddha Prasad and
Krishna Writers association along with many other genuine lovers of
the Telugu language that the committee had to come down to the correct
the injustice to grant the classical status.
Thanks to the media for the wide coverage on the life of Prof.Bhadriraju Krishnamurthy. The present generation should try to understand his works and achievements and put efforts to continue the rest of the research with the help of his students such as Dr.Chekuri Rama Rao etc.
It is very sad that the sudden death of Prof. Bhadriraju Krishnamurthy, an eminent scholar and linguist. The Govt. of A.P should establish a chair in Telugu University on his name to continue the further research for the benefit of Telugu people living all over the world. I pray the almighty for his soul rest in peace.
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