S. K. Ramachandra Rao

Professor Saligrama Krishna Ramachandra Rao, is a well-known scholar who combines traditional learning with modern research. He was proficient in Sanskrit, Pali, Kannada and English.

Prof. Rao explored the depths of the "Vedas", "Vedanta", "Mimamsa Shastra", "Agama Shastra", "Jyothisya", "Shilpa Shastra", "Ayurveda", music and musicology. S. K. Ramachandra Rao passed away on February 2, 2006 at the age of 78.

Early life

Born on September 4, 1927 in Hassan, Karnataka/India, in an orthodox madhva deshastha brahmin family, Prof. Rao grew up in an atmosphere richly steeped in Indian tradition. Prof. Rao obtained a postgraduate degree in psychology from the University of Mysore and studied Indian philosophy under traditional scholars.

He was married to Mrs. Ramadevi, a psychologist and author, and has two children, Uma and Sudarshan.

Academic Excellence

He headed the Department of Clinical Psychology at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). He later headed the Department of Indian Culture, the University of the Pacific, U.S., which had a centre in Bangalore for some years in the late 1960s.

He was senior Associate, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) and visiting faculty at the Indian Institute of Management, Indian Institute of Science, College of Fine Arts and Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat. He was visiting professor in College of Nursing, Institute of Social Work and Administration, MES College (Indology), Bangalore University. Guest Faculty, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore and member of the Governing Council of TTD (SVCL Research Center), Tirupati. He was a member of Karnataka State Lalitha Kala Academy and Sangita Nritya Academy; he has served on the Agama Board (Govt. of Karnataka). He was the President of Silpa-Kala Pratisthana.

Awards

He received many awards, including the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, Karnataka Lalitakala Academy Award, Karnataka Sangeeta Nritya Academy Award, Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award, Shilpakala Academy Award, Karnataka Kalashri Sanman, DVG Award, "Sangeeta Kalarathna" of Bangalore Gayana Samaj, Vedarathna of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Veda Sanman Award of the Government of India.

Bangalore University had conferred an honorary D.Litt degree on him for his outstanding contribution to Indian philosophy and culture besides his accomplishments as a clinical psychologist. He was the recipient of honorary D.Litt degrees from Tirupati Deemed University and Karnatak University, Dharwad.

Attainments

A prolific writer, Prof. Rao has written books on varied subjects. He was also a musicologist, sculptor and painter.

Closely associated with Kalpaturu Research Academy which much later became a part of the Sringeri Sharada Peetam, he brought out several books in Iconography, Agama etc and was in the process of publishing a multi-volume translation of the Rig Veda.

"The Hill Shrine of Vengadam", an encyclopediac work on the well-known Tirupati shrine's architecture, rituals and the hoary legends, is one of several popular books Prof. Rao authored. His translation of "Sri Tattvanidhi" of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar is continuing to influence scholars.

Learning Pali under Bhadantha Narada Mahathera enabled Prof Rao to explore Buddhist traditions and establish the similarities it has with Vaidika Dharma.

He embellished most of his books with his own drawings and sketches. He guided several students in subjects like sculpture and music. "Purusha Saraswathi", a book on his guru Sangeetha Kalanidhi Rallapalli Ananthakrishna Sharma is a treat to both students and connoisseurs alike.

Published Works

Some of the books authored by him:
# "The Tantrik Practices in Sri-Vidya" ISBN 81-7030-836-4
# Srividya Kosa ISBN 81-7030-832-1
# "Art and Architecture of Indian Temples" ISBN 0836431154
# "Encyclopedia of Indian Medicine: Clinical Examination and Diagnostic Methods" ISBN 0836423240
# "Navagraha Kosa", 2 Vols. ISBN 8170308399
# "The Agama Encyclopedia: Consecrations" (in 12 Volumes) I- Introduction, II- Saiva & Sakta Agamas, III- Vaikhanasa Agamas, IV- Pancaratragama, V- Devyagama, VI- Alaya & Aradhana, VII- Preparation for Puja, VIII- Mudras in Puja, IX- Consecration, X- Nityarcana, XI- Utsavas, XII- Source Book ISBN 8170308119, ISBN 8170308127, ISBN 8170308135, ISBN 8170308143, ISBN 8170308151, ISBN 817030816X, ISBN 8170308178, ISBN 8170308186, ISBN 8170308194, ISBN 8170308208, ISBN 8170308216, ISBN 8170308224
# "The Compendium on Ganesa" ISBN 8170308283
# "Encyclopedia of Indian Iconography: Hinduism-Buddhism-Jainism" (In 3 Volumes) ISBN 81-7030-764-3
# "Tantrik Traditions in Tibet" ISBN 81-7030-747-3
# "Vital Force In Health And Disease" ISBN 81-7030-741-4
# "Devalaya - Vastu" Volume 1
# "Darsanodaya Early Indian Thought"
# "Rgveda-darsana" in 6 volumes
# "Siva-kosha" Vol.2
# "Vishnu-kosha"
# "Salagrama - Kosha" ( 2 Volumes)
# "Durga Kosha"
# "Hanumat Kosha"
# "Purusha Sukta"
# "Gita Kosha" ( Trisati)
# "Sri-Tattva-Nidhi"
# "Lalita-Kosha" ISBN 81-7030-882-8. 97881-7030-882-9

External links

* [http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/03/stories/2006020313500400.htm "The Hindu" 3 Feb 2006]