Efforts should be made to build a memorial bhavan in the name of late A.V. Subba Raju, chairman of Lotus Constructions, at the site allotted by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation in the grounds of Jandhyala Dhakshinamurthy Municipal Corporation School at Hanumanpet by Sumadhura Kala Niketan, in memory of his services to the field of arts and culture, said Radhakrishna Raju, president of World Telugu Association. Speaking at the condolence meeting held here on Thursday, Mr. Raju said though Subba Raju got name and fame in the real estate, his heart was with performing arts, especially the stage. “As an amateur artiste, Subba Raju gave many sterling performances all over Andhra Pradesh,” he recalled.
Former deputy mayor Narasaraju, pondering over his 40 years of association with Subba Raju, said that a part of his soul departed with his friend. “Stage was so close to him that you see more artistes in the Lotus Group, performing many assignments. He was moved by the plight of the economically weaker artistes of yesteryear and gave Rs. 2,000 as pension every month. He never said no to the cultural associations who wanted funds to stage shows,” Mr. Narasaraju said.
He said that Sumadhura Kala Niketan would work with more vigour taking forward the commitment showed by Subbaraju. Industrialist Koganti Satyanarayana said that Subba Raju was a self-made man and he would offer any help for the smooth functioning of Sumadhura Kala Niketan.
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Park beautification
Veteran journalist Turlapati Kutumba Rao said it was Subba Raju who beautified the Alluri Seetha Rama Raju Park at Ayodhya Nagar spending Rs. 20 lakhs. “Many are benefiting from his contribution today by using the park for recreation and fitness regimes,” he said.
‘Adi Sankaracharya', ‘Chal Chal Gurram', ‘Vasikarana', ‘Kala Rathri', ‘Pattuko Zara Zara..' were some of the playlets that brought fame to Subba Raju, he said.
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Sumadhura Kala Niketan office-bearers M.C. Das, Murali Krishna (KIMS), Bhaskar Sarma, P. Suryanarayana, Builders Association secretary R.V. Swamy, Valeswara Rao of Yax and Yax, Ramakrishna Raju and hundreds of artistes and friends attended the condolence meeting.