Bezawada Gopala Reddy


Bezawada Gopala Reddy was an Indian freedom fighter, writer and politician. He was the second and last Chief Minister of the erstwhile Indian state, Andhra State from 1955 to 1956 and later served as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh from 1967 to 1972. He was popularly known as "Andhra Tagore" in recognition of his literary works.

Early and personal life

Reddy was born on 5 August 1907 in Buchireddypalem in the Nellore district of present-day Andhra Pradesh to Pattabhiram Reddy and Seethamma. He completed his school education in the same village before furthering his studies at Andhra Jatiya Kalashala from 1921 to 1924 in Machilipatnam. Reddy pursued graduation in D.Litt at Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan, West Bengal. Upon his return from West Bengal in 1927, he actively participated in the freedom movement, notably contributing to the Salt March and Quit India Movement. As a consequence of his involvement, he faced arrest and imprisonment at Vellore and Tanjavore jails.
Reddy was married to Lakshmikanthamma, the daughter of the freedom fighter Tikkavarapu Rami Reddy and Sudarshanamma. She was also a student at Shantiniketan and involved in the freedom movement. Reddy's admiration for Rabindranath Tagore's works inspired him to translate many of his books into the Telugu language.

Political career

Member A.I.C.C., since 1931; M.L.A., Madras, 1937–46; was Minister Local Administration, Government of Madras, 1937–39; President Andhra Pradesh, 1955–56; Finance Minister, Madras, 1947; Home Minister, Andhra Pradesh, 1956; Finance Minister, Andhra Pradesh, 1957; M.P. Rajya Sabha, 1958–60, Lok Sabha, 1962; Minister of Revenue and Civil Expenditure Government of India, 1958–61; Minister for Information and Broadcasting 1962–63; resigned under the Kamraj Plan; Chairman, Children's Film Society; President: Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha ; Telugu Bhasha Samiti, since 1947; A.P. Sahitya Academy, since 1957; All-India Chess Federation, since 1959; Governor of U.P. since 1 May 1967.

Death and legacy

Reddy was admitted to the hospital following an accident just 10 days prior to his death. He died on 9 May 1997 at the age of 89, after being discharged from the hospital at his son's residence. An award in his honor was established and is known as the "Dr. Bezawada Gopala Reddy Award", recognising individuals in the fields of Telugu literature and politics for their contributions.

Awards

Reddy received the prestigious Raja-Lakshmi Award for the year 1989, conferred upon him by the Sri Raja-Lakshmi Foundation, Chennai.