Renowned poet and literary critic Addepalli Ramamohana Rao passed away while undergoing treatment in a private hospital here on Wednesday. He was 80 and is survived by wife and four sons.
Ramamohana Rao, who celebrated his 80th birthday on a grand scale on September 6, fell ill within a couple of weeks and was admitted to the hospital.
The doctors diagnosed that he was suffering from prostrate cancer and commenced treatment. His condition was serious for the last 10 days and he breathed his last at around Noon on Wednesday.
Born and brought up at Machilipatnam, Ramamohana Rao shifted his base to Kakinada in 1970 and made it his hometown. Known as the first poet to oppose globalisation with strong voice, he won the title of ‘Praja Kavi’ from his fellow poets and readers as well.
He had penned 13 compilations of poetry, 25 books on literary criticism and forewords to about 600 books of various genres.
After retiring from service as school teacher, he spent all his time on literature by way of conducting and attending literary workshops, encouraging the budding talent and publishing annual compilations of poetry.
‘Sahithi Sravanthi,’ a literary organisation established by Ramamohana Rao had been undertaking several literary activities in the city for many years.
