Prof. Darla Venkateswara Rao, the Head, Department of Telugu, School of Humanities, University of Hyderabad (UoH), has been honoured with Best Literary Award by the Tamil Cultural Research Centre (TCRC), Palakkad, Kerala on the occasion of the 2-day National Seminar organised on Bhinna Drukpatalu in Vanavil K Rachanallo (Different Perspectives in K. Vanavil’s Writings) on December 2, 2023, in collaboration with the Tamil Cultural Research Centre and DAV College, Azmir, for his outstanding contribution to literature.
Prof. Y.P. Venkata Subbaiah, Registrar, Yogi Vemana University, Mr. Vanavil K. Ravi, the eminent poet and advocate, Tamil Nadu, Prof. N. Lakshim Iyer, the Department of Hindi, Central University of Rajasthan, Prof. Madabhushi Sampath Kumar, Director, Classical Telugu Centre, Nellore, were among those who participated in the programme.
The Selection Committee has declared this award based on his research and published books. Along with Prof. Darla Venkateswara Rao, Prof. Chinta Sudhakar, Vice-Chancellor, Yogi Vemana University, Prof. N. Eshwar Reddy, Dr.Uppaladadium Venkateshwara, Dr. Jillella Balaji were among those who have been honoured with the award for their contribution to different fields.
About the Faculty Prof. Darla
Professor Darla Venkateswara Rao, teaches Telugu literature in the Department of Telugu at the Central University of Hyderabad. He is an eminent poet who has published 20 books such as Madiga Chaitanyam (1997), Sahitimurtula Prasasthi(1997), Ganananda Kavi Amrapali Pariseelana (1999), Dalita Tatwikudu (2004), Srujanatmaka rachanalu Cheyadam Elaa? – 2005, Sahitee Sulochanam – 2006, Oka Madiga Smruti: Nagappagari SunderRaju (2007), Dalita Sahityam: Madiga Drukpatham (2008), Veechika (2009), Punarmulyankanam, (2010) Bahujana Sahitya Drikpatham 2012, Sahiti Murthulu-Spoorthulu (2015), Nemalikannulu (Anthology of Poetry, 2016), Sahiti Sowgandhi (2016), Sahitya Parisodhana Kala: Vidhanam, written by Prof.Gangisetty Lakshminarayana, Edited by Dr.Darla Venkateswara Rao, (2017) Rajasekhara Charitra Navala : Vividha Drikkonaalu, (Student’s Seminar Proceedings), Edited by Dr.Darla Venkateswara Rao, Associate Editor by Sadmeka Lalitha, (2017), Voice of Dalit: The Poetry of Darla Venkateswara Rao (2018), translated and Introduced by J.Bheemaiah, Published by Prestige Books International, New Delhi, Darla Mata Satakam 2021), Darla Venkateswara Rao & J.Bheemaiah, Cultural Identity and Dalit Literature (Emergence of Madigas in Indian Society), 2021, published by the Prestige Books International, New Delhi, Nemali Kannulu (Autobiography of Prof. Darla, Part-1., which focus on literary criticism. He has set a new trend in poetry by introducing novelty both in content and expression. This manifests his significant contribution to the Indian poetry. Dr. Rao has published several research papers and critical essays on literary criticism. His books are highly recommended for research at various research centres across the country and abroad. Some research has already been carried out on his poetry in Presidency College, University of Madras, Chennai. University teachers and researchers of various academic institutions of Telugu States have written analytical essays and published in leading journals. His poems have also been published in English translation by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi and Oxford University Press, New Delhi. He also received the best literary award from Sri Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad and the Chancellors Award from the University of Hyderabad. This award comprises a citation for recognition and a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh meant for academic activities and also, he was conferred Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Award by the Bharatiya Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, for his vibrant contribution to the field of criticism and research. He has attended several national and international academic events. He has extensively published in all leading daily, weekly and monthly magazines/academic journals.