Dad, Dr. D.R.K.Sangameswara Rao (March 4, 1928 - March 18, 2008) - a photo from his youth
My dad has passed on from his body last month. My brothers Ramayya and Kasu, and my sister Ramani were in Vizag at the time of my his demise. On hearing the news, I managed to find transport and reach Vizag for the funeral on March 20, 2008; found flights on the 11th hour, almost missed the international connection in Houston (due to severe weather-related flight delays), luckily found a seat on another flight,... - a chain of favorable events at the time of need/sorrow, that reinforced my faith in divine interventions.
We performed the last rites in Vizag, and submerged ashes in Godavari at Rajahmundry. Since then, I didn't communicate with my good friends and relatives. It has been tough and hectic.
Going through my dad's books, writings, pictures, and items stirred up lots of fond memories. Then, I read this nice tribute by Raama (thanks a lot, Raama) and I thought I should memorialize some of my personal impressions on my dad as well. Also, we all can learn lessons in life from each other. So, as I type this, my intent is to think of the lessons I (we) can learn from his life.
I was always amazed by his productivity. He excelled in every field that he developed inclination in. First off, he took care of the family very well and made many sacrifices to make sure that we all are comfortable. Lesson here? - Family first, is a good policy.
He excelled in the field of mathematical physics - published papers in reputed journals, authored many books, and actively worked on Fermat Numbers and differential equations (his specialization) until he was 77 years old. He played Chess at state level and Bridge at national level. He was playing Correspondence Chess with people from about 50 countries (!) until last year. Lesson here? - Find your passions. Anything worth doing, is worth doing well.
He accumulated an amazing collection of hundreds of books, cataloged them, and read all of them - his collection included books by diverse authors/publications like Kurt Vonnegut, Lobsang Rampa, James Hadley Chase, Arthur C. Clarke, P.G. Wodhouse, Informats, and many more. On going through his collection last month, I randomly picked up an early 1900s Sci-Fi book by a French Author which started something like "Now, as it is established that there is life on Mars..." - I thought, he sure collected some rare books. He taught logic (as a post-graduation subject!) and astronomy during his early career and he collected many books on these subjects too. To satiate his appetite for nature, he bought the whole Life Nature Library by paying for it on monthly installments. Lesson here? Have fun and all work and no play...
My dad has passed on from his body last month. My brothers Ramayya and Kasu, and my sister Ramani were in Vizag at the time of my his demise. On hearing the news, I managed to find transport and reach Vizag for the funeral on March 20, 2008; found flights on the 11th hour, almost missed the international connection in Houston (due to severe weather-related flight delays), luckily found a seat on another flight,... - a chain of favorable events at the time of need/sorrow, that reinforced my faith in divine interventions.
We performed the last rites in Vizag, and submerged ashes in Godavari at Rajahmundry. Since then, I didn't communicate with my good friends and relatives. It has been tough and hectic.
Going through my dad's books, writings, pictures, and items stirred up lots of fond memories. Then, I read this nice tribute by Raama (thanks a lot, Raama) and I thought I should memorialize some of my personal impressions on my dad as well. Also, we all can learn lessons in life from each other. So, as I type this, my intent is to think of the lessons I (we) can learn from his life.
I was always amazed by his productivity. He excelled in every field that he developed inclination in. First off, he took care of the family very well and made many sacrifices to make sure that we all are comfortable. Lesson here? - Family first, is a good policy.
He excelled in the field of mathematical physics - published papers in reputed journals, authored many books, and actively worked on Fermat Numbers and differential equations (his specialization) until he was 77 years old. He played Chess at state level and Bridge at national level. He was playing Correspondence Chess with people from about 50 countries (!) until last year. Lesson here? - Find your passions. Anything worth doing, is worth doing well.
He accumulated an amazing collection of hundreds of books, cataloged them, and read all of them - his collection included books by diverse authors/publications like Kurt Vonnegut, Lobsang Rampa, James Hadley Chase, Arthur C. Clarke, P.G. Wodhouse, Informats, and many more. On going through his collection last month, I randomly picked up an early 1900s Sci-Fi book by a French Author which started something like "Now, as it is established that there is life on Mars..." - I thought, he sure collected some rare books. He taught logic (as a post-graduation subject!) and astronomy during his early career and he collected many books on these subjects too. To satiate his appetite for nature, he bought the whole Life Nature Library by paying for it on monthly installments. Lesson here? Have fun and all work and no play...
He wrote many commentaries on Telugu poetry and delivered radio talks on Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism (he read Quoran, Bible, and many Hindu scriptures in Sanskrit). He was able to recite 100s of slokas (including all Bhagavad Gita and a large portion of Bhagavatam) in Sanskrit and explain them with Telugu/English translation. Lesson here? - be spiritual and practice religious tolerance.
One of the things he taught me was to ask "why?" and "why not?" sufficiently. For example, in some of the correspondence chess games he started last year (as White), he started with Desprez Opening. I am not an expert chess player. But I know just enough that "1. h4" is not a preferred opening. But my dad's intent was to learn how to make the best of bad situations and explore new opening lines. Lesson here? - be rational and be inquisitive.
In spite of all his family responsibilities and research, he managed to have some serious fun, when opportunities presented themselves. Most of them were everyday life's little pleasures - watching the sun rise, watching the birds fly, and watching ants carrying grains. He enjoyed Chinese Kung Fu movies as well as Telugu and American classic movies. On his couple of official trips to Europe, he managed to visit some exotic places. He didn't lose an opportunity of riding roller coasters in Canada and US in his late 50s! I think we all need this zest for life to stay younger at heart. Lesson here? - zest for life is consistent with spirituality.
He hiked and climbed pretty much all the major hills in and around Vizag (Punya Giri near S. Kota, Simhachalam, Yarada Konda, and a few others) on their steep slopes through all the brush, dodging snakes and critters. Then, one of his favorite pastimes was observing bees in our backyard (in Sea Sands) for hours. From him, I learned the paradox that the busier we are, the more free time we manage to find (i.e., busy people make the most of their limited time). His only unfinished business was translation of Bhagavatam (unabridged) from Sanskrit to Telugu, using Niruktam. On my next visit to Vizag, I intend to gather some of his writings and blog them. Like his esteemed colleagues and peers from Sea Sands (and as Som says), he was a different breed who lived his life as an example. May his soul rest in peace. Lesson here? - Keeping body and mind healthy is essential for spiritual progress.
Finally, I recommend the movie Dad, to all. I watched it a few years ago, and I thought it was a touching movie on human relations. We all should think very hard before deciding on trading career growth for time with family. Lesson from this movie? - There sure are some things that money can't buy.
One of the things he taught me was to ask "why?" and "why not?" sufficiently. For example, in some of the correspondence chess games he started last year (as White), he started with Desprez Opening. I am not an expert chess player. But I know just enough that "1. h4" is not a preferred opening. But my dad's intent was to learn how to make the best of bad situations and explore new opening lines. Lesson here? - be rational and be inquisitive.
In spite of all his family responsibilities and research, he managed to have some serious fun, when opportunities presented themselves. Most of them were everyday life's little pleasures - watching the sun rise, watching the birds fly, and watching ants carrying grains. He enjoyed Chinese Kung Fu movies as well as Telugu and American classic movies. On his couple of official trips to Europe, he managed to visit some exotic places. He didn't lose an opportunity of riding roller coasters in Canada and US in his late 50s! I think we all need this zest for life to stay younger at heart. Lesson here? - zest for life is consistent with spirituality.
He hiked and climbed pretty much all the major hills in and around Vizag (Punya Giri near S. Kota, Simhachalam, Yarada Konda, and a few others) on their steep slopes through all the brush, dodging snakes and critters. Then, one of his favorite pastimes was observing bees in our backyard (in Sea Sands) for hours. From him, I learned the paradox that the busier we are, the more free time we manage to find (i.e., busy people make the most of their limited time). His only unfinished business was translation of Bhagavatam (unabridged) from Sanskrit to Telugu, using Niruktam. On my next visit to Vizag, I intend to gather some of his writings and blog them. Like his esteemed colleagues and peers from Sea Sands (and as Som says), he was a different breed who lived his life as an example. May his soul rest in peace. Lesson here? - Keeping body and mind healthy is essential for spiritual progress.
Finally, I recommend the movie Dad, to all. I watched it a few years ago, and I thought it was a touching movie on human relations. We all should think very hard before deciding on trading career growth for time with family. Lesson from this movie? - There sure are some things that money can't buy.
Dr. D.R.K.S. Rao (March 4, 1928 - March 18, 2008) - a more recent photo, still in youth!
The following is the felicitation address at his grand retirement ceremony in TLN Sabha Hall at Andhra Univeristy. Barring some overtones due to profound respect, the author (Prof. A. Prasanna Kumar garu) was on the mark in his gracious commendation.
Peace!
4 comments:
Yo Mayya:
I think that it is very nice of you to tribute to your dad by blogging his purposeful life. I am sure that he must be very happy to have a son like you as much as you having a dad like him......
Sas,
Thanks Mayya.
Dear Gopal,
Sorry to hear the sad demise of your father and my beloved guru.I think you have done a great thing by presenting a great sketch of your dad in a systematic fashion. The community of mathematics and applied mathematics lost a great personality. Nobody can fill the gap.Such type of personalities does not exist. Nabhutho Nabhavishyati.
Prof M Suryanarayana Murty
M.S.N. Murthy garu,
Namaste! Thank you for your kind words. Best reagrds, - Gopa
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