His autobiography “Ammakadupu Challaga” is a convergence of sweet and bitter moments and an honest effort to capture 68 years of his life and the world around him, noted writer and actor Gollapudi Maruti Rao has said.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Library Week at the Visakhapatnam Public Library on Sunday where the book was reviewed, he revealed that former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, who had been his friend for a long time, film scholar and director Mahesh Bhat and a regional engineering college lecturer made him take up the task.
While his diaries for 56 years stood him in good stead, he read hundreds of autobiographies before he took up the writing of the book. He described “Autobiography of a Yogi” of Paramahamsa Yogananda as one of the greatest books for its expression and humility. The autobiography of Hollywood actor Hedy Lamarr “Ecstasy and Me” was shockingly truthful.
Describing the book as rewarding for him, Mr. Maruti Rao said he felt liberated after writing the book. He, however, regretted the valuable years that he swindled from his wife and how he missed his family.
Critic and columnist D. V. Surya Rao who reviewed the book earlier said it had not only captured the multifaceted life of Mr. Maruti Rao as writer, journalist, playwright, his work in the All India Radio and actor, but was a valuable commentary on the great personalities he had met from all walks of life throwing light on the modern cultural history of the state.
Beginning with his life as a student in Chinnavari Veedhi in the city, it had covered several important events of his life and his association with greats like Devulapalli, Sri Sri, Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao and Ushasri, among others. The book was an artistic endeavour with a truthful approach and a readable style. It was a glimpse into the cultural history spawning several decades that would be useful for future generations.
Noted writer Avasarala Ramakrishna Rao who presided said the life of Maruti Rao was a struggle for excellence. His autobiography was readable, pleasant and had wit that was evident even in the captions of some of the 600 photographs it had. It was a rare book that captured the lives of artists for six, seven decades.
Librarian Krishna Reddy welcomed.
