“Mysore Gandhi” remembered during Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

 Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

One of the most re­spected freedom fighters from Kar­nataka was Taga­dur Ramachandra Rao. An unassuming personality, he till his death, led a simple life wearing the khadi panche, khadi jubba and Gandhi topi.

In 1983, he was selected for the prestigious Jamanlal Bajaj award for his role in women empowerment even before India’s Independence. The then CM, Ramakrishna Hegde who came to meet Ramachandra Rao was bowled over by the simplic­ity of the veteran freedom fighter. Hegde came to his house in Vidyaranyapuram and even spent some time with him.

Rao did not aspire for any post or financial help from the government and led an independent life. He was so simple that he would leave the house in the morning with the walking stick in his hand visiting only one or two houses in the area to enjoy a cup of coffee. Due to old age, the freedom fighter would often unknowingly wear the hawai sandals on the wrong feet and his grand kids even wrote in big letters ‘left’ and ‘right’ on the chappals for easy identification.

Ramachandra Rao was born in a Brahmin family in Tagaduru in Nanjangud Ta­luk of then Mysore district. His ancestors were very rich landlords, but by the time Ramachandra Rao became a young boy, the family proper­ty was reduced considerably.

He was a follower of Ma­hatma Gandhi and deeply influenced by the Satya­graha movement. He was called ‘Father of Political Unrest’ in princely Mysore. Ramachandra Rao was ar­rested for opposing the visit of the Simon Commission to India in 1928 and became the first political prisoner in My­sore State. He was popularly known as ‘Mysore Gandhi’.

Ramachandra Rao found­ed the Khaddar Sahakara Sangha in 1925. Because of his influence and efforts, Gandhi made a visit to My­sore State in 1932 and even visited Tagadur and a vil­lage nearby-Badanavalu vil­lage in Nanjangud Taluk of Mysore district.

Apart from the freedom movement, Ramachandra Rao took part in other social and national movements. Some of the movements ini­tiated by him are as follows.

Cow protection movement in Mysore state

Anti untouchability move­ment - made many temples to open their doors to Dalits

Anti conversion drive in Mysore state against the conversion by missionaries.

Instrumental in admitting many lower caste people into schools. He fought the social stigma by marrying a widow.

Ramachandra Rao has written many articles and books. His autobiography ‘Nanna Alilu Seve’ gives an account of the journey of his life. Although he could have become minister in Mysore state after the freedom of In­dia, he was not attracted by power. He opted for a quiet life with his children and grand children. He lived in Mysore till his death. There is a circle in Vidyaranya­puram in Mysore which is named after him.

In 1983, Ramachandra Rao was conferred with the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Devel­opment. Noted filmmaker GV Iyer made a documen­tary on Tagaduru Ramach­andra Rao during 1the 980’s by including his family mem­bers too.