Thursday, February 24, 2011

Nominations for Ugadi Puraskars


Nominations invited for Ugadi Puraskars

Visakha Samacharam Telugu daily newspaper has invited proposals for nominating noted personalities in various walks of life to its annual Ugadi Puraskars this year.

Talking to media persons here on Wednesday, Editor of the daily Surampudi Veerabhadra Rao said there will be five awards -- best citizen, best woman, best officer, best people's representative and best NGO. Besides there would be five more awards for best rural people's representative, teacher, doctor, policeman and another from any other sector. “We invite proposals in the form of postcard or letter from admirers of the candidate. A panel of judges will examine the entries and nominate the best for the awards,” he said, adding that the awards were given away in the past 12 years.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

To popularise Telugu Language


Call to save, popularise Telugu language
Students take part in International Mother Tongue Day rally

Telugu is among 196 languages identified as under threat of extinction

According to UNESCO study, 2,500 languages are under threat for want of patronage




Special occasion: AU Vice-Chancellor B. Satyanarayana addressing schoolchildren on the occasion of International Mother Tongue Day in Visakhapatnam on Monday. Former ANU Vice-Chancellor V. Balamohandas, HMTV Editor K. Sriramachandramurthy and former MP Y. Lakshmi Prasad are also seen.

VISAKHAPATNAM: A call to popularise Telugu and save it from threat of extinction was made at a rally conducted here on Monday on the occasion of International Mother Tongue Day.

The rally by schoolchildren on the beach road from the statue of NTR to the statue of Puripanda Appalaswamy was organised under the aegis of Loknayak Foundation.

Andhra University Vice-Chancellor B. Satyanarayana, HMTV Chief Editor K. Ramachandra Murthy, Andhra Bhoomi Editor M.V.R. Sastry and Lok Nayak Foundation chairman Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad were among those present.

The day is observed as per the call given by UNESCO in memory of students killed in Dhaka while fighting for official language status to Bangla in 1952. Telugu was among 196 languages identified as under threat for extinction in India by UNESCO in its report submitted in 2008. Dr. Lakshmi Prasad called for change in mindset of people to educate their wards in Telugu and demanded compulsory teaching of Telugu from first standard to degree as one of the language papers.

As per UNESCO study, of 6,500 languages in the world, 2,500 were under threat for want of patronage.

UNESCO thinks that promoting recognition and practice of various languages will prevent the threat of their extinction.

Several Indian languages are facing the threat due to growing craze by parents to teach their children in English medium and make them good at communication in English to get good jobs at the cost of their own mother tongues.

Monday, February 21, 2011

International Mother Language Day - 21/02/2011


Rally to mark International Mother Language Day today

Loknayak Foundation Andhra Pradesh, observed International Mother Language Day on Monday as per the call given by the UNESCO.

A rally with schoolchildren and others marched out from NTR statue to the statue of litterateur Puripanda Appalaswamy on the beach road at 9 a.m.Visakhapatnam. Former MP and foundation chairman Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad told reporters on Sunday that the day was being observed to promote recognition and practice of the world's mother languages. Rich cultural diversity could be achieved by promoting languages.

The day is observed to commemorate the sacrifice of students killed in Bangladesh during agitation in 1952 to demand recognition of Bangla as an official language. The UN General Assembly celebrated International Year of Languages in 2008.

Mr. Lakshmi Prasad, Chairman of AP Hindi Academy and Jana Sikshana Samstha, said UNESCO in its report submitted in 2008 had said that Telugu was among 196 languages under threat of extinction. Of 6,500 languages spoken in the world, 2,500 were under the threat of extinction.

It was unfortunate that Telugu, which had large following and population in the country, had been listed as one among many languages under threat due to Western culture and parents' interest to teach English to their children.

Stating that the mindset of parents must change, he said several people were under the impression that their wards would do well in competitive exams if they speak and write only English ignoring their mother tongue.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Great Telugu Playback Singer Ghantasala

Tributes paid to Ghantasala

Town artistes felicitate Balasubrahmanyam


In remembrance: Playback singers S.P Balasubramanyam and Vani Jayaram offer floral tributes at the statue of Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao in Guntur on Friday.

Playback singers S.P Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jayaram paid floral tributes at the statue of legendary playback singer Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao at Naaz Centre, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh on Friday.

They were here to present awards at a music competition held by a private news channel.

The statue was installed by Dasari Cultural Academy president Potturi Ranga Rao.

In an informal chat with media persons, Balasubrahmanyam relived the olden days and lauded the contribution of Ghantasala.

In a voice choked with emotion, he said that no singer in the past, present or future could match the prowess of Ghantasala and advised budding singers not to imitate any one but be themselves.

Earlier, members of the Guntur District Artistes' Association, led by chairman Jetty Mohan Rao, town artistes association led by president Maddu Venkata Swamy felicitated Balasubrahmanyam at the ITC guest house.

They said the singer, who has been awarded with Padma Vibhushan, deserved all the accolades for having dedicated his life to singing

Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao ( ఘంటసాల వెంకటేశ్వర రావు) (1922–1974) was a popular South Indian singer and music composer of Telugu films and many other languages such as Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Tulu and Hindi. He is the recipient of the Padmashree award, India's fourth highest civilian award. For nearly a quarter of a century, he was the voice of Telugu films. He was one of Telugu cinema's first playback singers. He sang in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Tulu and Hindi. He composed music for more than 100 movies. He sang the Bhagavad Gita just before his death in 1974, a rendition which became highly popular. On February 11, 2003, a stamp was released in honor of Ghantasala at Telugu Lalita Kala Toranam, Public Gardens, Hyderabad.


Saturday, February 19, 2011

National seminar on Humour in Telugu & Hindi

Focus on humour in Telugu, Hindi works

The humour side of Telugu and Hindi literature was explored at a national seminar on ‘Humour in Telugu and Hindi literature' organised by Sri Durga Malleswara Siddharth Mahila Kalasala here on Thursday at Vijayawada. Andhra Pradesh

Quickly reeling off many facets of humour including wit, satire, fun, comedy etc. available in Telugu and Hindi literature, the speakers felt that a sprinkle of humour and wit in every day's life would do wonders, and underscored the need to rejuvenate and patronage mother tongues.

The Telugu and Hindi languages were rich in humour, which was one of the most important elements of a life.

However, both languages lack patronage from people.

The parents and students, now, were nursing a false notion that learning one's mother tongue was old-fashioned and mediocre. They may learn English for their survival in the competitive world, but should not neglect their mother tongues, they asserted.

Retired professor and Director of Mysore University R.V.S. Sundaram, who delivered keynote address, said that a sense of humour was not only one of the primary building blocks of an enjoyable life, but also the byproducts of humour lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Telugu Literature Madhusreelu of short stories



‘Madhusreelu', a compilation of short stories, released
It has been penned by Madhunapantula Venkateswarlu

Madhunapantula Foundation holds the programme

Recent trends in Telugu literature discussed


KAKINADA: Poets and writers from various parts of the State gathered at ‘Andhree Kuteeram' at Pallipalem village near Yanam for the release of ‘Madhusreelu' a compilation of short stories penned by Madhunapantula Venkateswarlu on Sunday. Madhunapantula Foundation organised the programme.

Recent trends in Telugu literature and poetry were discussed at length during the daylong literary deliberations, which were followed by recital of poetry by young poets. Stephen from Netherlands released the book and noted playwright Akella was the chief guest of the book release function. The short stories in the compilation were reviewed in detail.

Poets Vadrevu China Veerabhadrudu, Shikhamani, Addepalli Rammohana Rao, Vadrevu Veeralakshmi Devi and Madhunapantula Satyanarayana Murthy spoke at length about the current trends in poetry and literature and the response from the younger generation to various forms of literature. MLC Gidugu Rudra Raju attended as special guest. A ‘Kavi Sammelanam' was performed under the stewardship of Mr. Addepalli Rammohana Rao in which over 30 poets recited their poems. ‘Vachana Kavitadharana' by P.R.L. Swamy received laurels from the gathering. Madhunapanthula Keerthi Raja Kiran, who published the book ‘Madhusreelu,' recited his poetry in the presence of Mr. Shikhamani. Book lovers from Yanam and surrounding places visited ‘Andhree Kuteeram'

Telangana to hold their own world meet on April 4


Telangana writers to boycott Telugu meet

Writers from Telangana will boycott the World Telugu Conference at Tirupati from April 4 to 6 and instead hold their own world meet here on April 4.

This was announced by Telangana writers' forum general secretary J. Gourishankar while addressing a demonstration of the organisation at the Telangana martyrs memorial here on Sunday demanding Statehood to the region.

He said the forum will also stage protests at meetings held by writers from coastal districts here.

Balladeer Gadar said writers right from Potana in yesteryears to present day generation had the conviction to question the righteousness of Constitution as the Centre did not keep its promise to create Telangana State which was made on a Constitutional platform.

A lecturer from Siddipet Nandini Sidda Reddy said writers, artistes and poets from Telangana were like oxygen to the separate Telangana agitation.

Delegation of TANA met Foreign Minister SM Krishna in New York



TANA, TVU students meet S.M. Krishna


A delegation of the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) along with 25 students of the Tri Valley University (TVU) met the Foreign Minister, S.M. Krishna in New York on Sunday and sought his help in safeguarding the academic interests of TVU students affected by the scandal.

TANA Secretary, Mohan Nannapaneni and TANA members Vasu Chinna and Jai Kureti helped the students to meet the Foreign Minister where Nirupama Rao, Foreign Secretary of India and Prabhu Dayal, Consul General of India in New York were also present.

Mr. Mohan said the Minister spent almost two hours as students explained the current situation in detail and the hardships they were facing as a result of the closure of TVU. He said the Minister was under the impression that the issue has been resolved. After patiently listening to all the students, he expressed concern at the continued uncertainty and assured the students that the Government of India would request the Department of Homeland Security to expedite the cases of the affected students.

TVU students living in the New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and surrounding areas were part of this meeting. Mr. Mohan said that TANA has requested the Minister to provide paid legal assistance to the students.

Monday, February 14, 2011

To promote Telugu among children.

Mother tongue plays important role
Competitions conducted in connection with ‘Mother Tongue Day'


Making a point: Children presenting a skit at the ‘Mother Tongue Day' celebrations conducted in Tirupati on Saturday.

TIRUPATI: Parents worried over the increasing influence of English language on their wards heaved a sigh of relief when they found on Saturday that the latter were indeed not so crazy about English.

The event conducted at Sri Venkateswara Oriental College premises saw a slew of competitions conducted by ‘Prerana', a women's organisation in connection with ‘Mother Tongue Day'.

The day saw competitions in drawing, ‘Padya Patanam' (reciting poetic verses), essay writing in Telugu etc. to promote Telugu among children.

Though referred to as ‘Italian of the East' and notwithstanding lofty slogans in praise of the language, Telugu was seldom spoken by the children with the zeal evinced by the previous generation, regretted A. Bhavani, president of ‘Prerana' while explaining the need for holding the competitions.

Over a thousand children from 40 schools took part in the various competitions and expressed their love for Telugu.

“Mother tongue plays an important role in the healthy development of a child,” Secretary S.Bhuvaneswari chipped in.

‘Katha Cheppana?' (story-telling) and ‘Telugu Matladudham' competitions will be held on Sunday, whereby a participant will be made to speak only in Telugu non-stop for two minutes.

These apart, classical/folk dance and fancy dress competitions for children and ‘Vyarthamlo Artham' (wealth from waste) contest, spiritual quiz etc. for women will be held, all centering around Telugu language.

Prizes will be given on ‘Mother Tongue Day' celebrations to be observed at Mahati auditorium on February 21 (Monday).

Telugu Literature Work that won UNICEF Award

Telugu literature has got segmented'

“Good literature that carries social message is always appreciated,” Athaluri Vijaya Lakshmi tells T. Lalith Singh




Winning laurels: Writer Athaluri Vijaya Lakshmi.

Fifty-four-year old Athaluri Vijaya Lakshmi's sensitive portrayal of contemporary social issues through stories and plays has won her laurels, the latest being UNICEF Award. She is employed as Superintendent with HMWSSB

The award is under gender sensitive programme for the teleserial ‘Niveditha' written by me and telecast on Doordarshan Saptagiri channel. I wrote it five years back as a radio play and later adapted for television It narrates the story of a girl child who is cast aside by her father but through sheer grit struggles and turns success in life.


I started writing at the age of 16 years and continued for the last 38 years during which period I came up with more than 200 stories published in leading magazines and also another 200-odd plays for radio and also used for stage. My stories mostly are woven around children who are the only section that lack a voice to express their concerns, fears, agonies and travails.

Earlier literature was literature and that's all. Now, Telugu literature has got segmented with narrow demarcations such as feminism, revolutionary and Dalit, which are affecting it badly. Literature will thrive when it rises beyond such segmentation to reach out to one and all. Dividing into different groups is not going to help.

Young generation is not really into reading habit...

That is true to a large extent. May be we Telugu writers are not coming out with stories that appeals to them. Harry Potter series is read so widely by our children but perhaps we are not telling stories in the way that could catch their attention.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Fellowship to 5 scholars who pursue research in Telugu language and Culture

Fellowship to scholars on the cards: Telugu Academy official

Director of AP Telugu Academy K. Yadagiri has said that there are plans to award Fellowship to five scholars of different universities who pursue research in Telugu language and culture.

Prof. Yadagiri, who took over as Director of the academy on January 20 this year, came to the city for the first time in his new role on Thursday.

Addressing a media conference, he briefed about the activities of the academy and its efforts to provide textbooks at cheaper rates to students.

He said that there were plans to set up a Telugu Academy Library in Visakhapatnam and to promote research. The textbooks of final year degree would be made available in the market by June 2011.

The AP State Council of Higher Education had handed over the responsibility of publishing degree textbooks for English Medium students along with those of Telugu medium from the academic year 2008-09 to the academy. The textbooks for second year were published during the academic year 2009-10, he said.

Apart from textbooks for Intermediate, B. Ed., D. Ed., the academy was also publishing books in Telugu and English for students appearing at various competitive examinations. Question Banks were being published for the benefit of students appearing for EAMCET and for those appearing for Group-I and Group-II examinations conducted by the AP Public Service Commission.

He said that the Department of Higher Education issued a GO that all government and private colleges should invariably follow textbooks published by the Telugu Academy.

This was done to prevent piracy by some private colleges that were re-printing the academy books and selling them to their students at higher cost. The academy suffered a loss of Rs.15 crore last year due to piracy. He said that a decision was taken to supply the academy books to the libraries. Regional Coordinator of the academy Vijay Kumar was present.

Source: The Hindu

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Great Telugu hero of World War II languishes in poverty

World War II hero languishes in poverty

Nonagenarian Tota Narsanna who won several medals for his bravery in World War II, is now waging a grim battle for help from the government




In penury: Tota Narsanna.

Tota Narsanna, a great warrior from Arugolanu village, West Godavari District near here who won several medals from the British colonial regime for his bravery in the World War II, is waging a grim battle for financial assistance from the government for a living. With his limbs crippled, the nonagenarian war hero was brought in a wheel chair to the venue of the Army Mela held here recently for an audience with M.M. Pallam Raju, Union Minister of State for Defence. His repeated gestures with grumbles from a corner, off the dais to draw the Minister's attention failed. And, his struggle to move the babus in the power corridors goes on as usual.

His crusade began a decade after his return from the war in 1958. Mr. Narsanna submitted a petition to the then district Collector seeking pension and a piece of land for which he is eligible as an ex-serviceman in 1958. He has even identified an extent of 6.5 acres government land for distribution in his favour for cultivation at his village. However the assistance failed to reach him, thanks to the Sainik Welfare rules which reportedly insist on payment of pensions to ex-servicemen who put in not less than 15 years of service in the Indian Army. To his chagrin, Mr. Narsanna has a 5-year stint only in the army from 1941 to 46. Since then, he is making tireless efforts, petitioning the officials from the district administration and the authorities of the Kendriya and State Sainik Boards to get his ‘due'. The rhetoric of Mr. Pallam Raju on the welfare and resettlement measures initiated by the Union Ministry of Defence for the benefit of ex-servicemen, did not materialise into action for Mr. Narsanna.

He joined the British Army as a Lance Naik at an early age at a time when the country was vigorously engaged in the World War-II against the Hitler's Nazism. Attached to the 5th Batallion 1239 Company with the headquarters at Jalna in Maharashtra, he was drafted to Italy, Iraq, Egypt and Iran to fight the enemy on behalf of the British Army during the war. Mr. Narsanna recalled that the British Army had awarded him several medals and honours which included ‘Africa Star', ‘Italy star', ‘Defence Medal' and the 39- 45 General Medal. He has two sons and three daughters but is looked after by his children on a rotation system.

“Though we want to take care of him, we are finding it difficult with our meagre resources,” says one of his daughters who accompanied him to the Army Mela. Mr. Narsanna got his legs fractured in an accident recently. An unkempt Narsanna suffers from senility and is inconsistent while expressing his problems. Even as Mr. Narsanna was returning home after he lost the hope of getting his grievance resolved, local Praja Rajyam MLA Eli Madhusudhan Rao (Nani) promise to take up his problem with the administration.

Source: The Hindu


Monday, February 7, 2011

All India Telugu Conference in Orissa 4-6/2/2011


Telugu meet ends on a colourful note

B. Prabhakkar Sharma
State promises all help to Telugu medium schools in Orissa


Showcasing AP:Artistes from Hyderabad performing Burrakatha at the valedictory of the 6th National Telugu Conference in Berhampur on Sunday.

BERHAMPUR: Minister for Primary Education of Andhra Pradesh S. Sailajanath on Sunday assured the Telugu people in Orissa that his government would immediately take all possible steps to ensure that Telugu education in the neighbouring State is pursued without hassles.

Addressing the valedictory meeting of the three-day sixth All India Telugu Conference conducted by Potti Sriramulu Telugu University-Hyderabad in association with Andhra Bhashabhivardhani Samajam here and other Telugu organisations of Orissa, he said there are 600 B.Ed. colleges in Andhra Pradesh and it would not be difficult to sanction about 20 seats required for Orissa. Similarly, education would also be imparted through distance learning mode in the border States, he said. It was important that Telugu language was protected from all sides, for, language was the lifeline of any community. He said all languages faced threat, thanks to the money-spinner English which was all pervading now.

Chairman of AP Legislative Council A. Chakrapani, who had over a couple of years led a committee to look into the problems faced by Telugus in Orissa, agreed with KS Nagar MLA Sugnana Kumari Deo that the problem of schools and teachers was no issue and could be tackled at the local level. Ms. Deo, a nine-time legislator of Orissa, said Telugu teachers working in Oriya schools could be transferred to Telugu medium schools in the next academic year itself. The conference adopted 10 resolutions including one for sanctioning a corpus fund of Rs.10 crore to the Mandali Venkata Krishna Rao International Telugu Centre of PSTU to tackling issues faced by Telugus living outside Andhra Pradesh.

Former Minister Mandali Buddha Prasad, Orissa MLAs – R.C.C. Patnaik, and K. Narayana Rao, and others were present.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Sanskrit - Telugu Dictionary Digitised



Handwritten Sanskrit-Telugu dictionary digitised
M. Malleswara Rao
Handwritten by litterateur P. Rangacharyulu over a century ago

Digitisation completed by the A.P. Oriental Manuscripts Library & Research Institute

Rangacharyulu's descendants not only gave the manuscripts but also donated liberally


HYDERABAD: A rare Sanskrit dictionary (Sanskrit to Telugu), hand-written in Telugu script on over 4 lakh pages of manuscript paper single-handedly by Paravasthu Rangacharyulu more than a century ago, has at last been digitised and preserved for posterity in the form of CDs.

The task was completed by the Andhra Pradesh Oriental Manuscripts Library & Research Institute (APOMLRI) with the help of Iran under a project taken up to protect all the 24,000-odd manuscripts in Telugu, Sanskrit, Urdu, Persian etc. it procured, for future generations.

The Noor Microfilm Centre, Delhi, an agency possessing expertise in converting ancient manuscripts into soft copies, which is funded by Iran, made this stupendous task possible.

Website

The digitised dictionary has since been placed on website http//:manuscriptslibrary.ap.nic.in to meet the needs of researchers and scholars all over the world.

The APOMLRI secured these manuscripts, which throw light on some unknown aspects of history and heritage of this part of the globe, from the descendants of the original authors or through various other sources under the National Mission for Manuscripts launched by the government of India, and before.

Paravasthu Rangacharyulu (1822-1900) lived in what is now East Godavari district. His massive work could be digitised as descendants of his family had not only surrendered the manuscripts to the APOMLRI but also offered a munificent donation.

Another Paravasthu

Incidentally, the first grammar book of Telugu language “Balavyakaranam” also came from another litterateur from the “Paravasthu” tree, Paravasthu Chinnayasuri, whose ‘Neetichandrika' (Telugu translation of Panchatantram) is too well-known.

Prof. Sipada Subrahmanyam, director, APOMLRI, says his institute has digitised over 18,000 out of the 24,000 manuscripts so far and it will complete the job in case of the remaining ones in six months. The Noor Microfilm Centre is invariably involved in the task. Among the precious manuscripts digitised is an 8th century book in Persian “Tibbemohamood Shahi,” which mentions the medical system proposed by Prophet Mohammed. It is said this book is not available anywhere else in the world. A copy of the Holy Koran written in 1247 AD is another rare possession.

Five catalogues

The APOMLRI has brought out five catalogues, providing details of manuscripts language-wise in an index form. Two of them covered 523 Telugu manuscripts that focus on fine arts such as Yakshaganam, grammar and poetic technique satakam.

Two others, prepared by Nasiruddin Hashmi in 1950, detailed 1,342 Urdu manuscripts dealing with history and language.

One catalogue printed on Sanskrit manuscripts dealt with grammar.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Malay community also uses Rao or Rawa

Rawa or Rao is a term given to a Malay community living in the Malay Peninsula, now the West Malaysia. It is common for the Rawa to identify themselves as Oghang Rawo or Oghang Rao or even Rao.


History

The Rawa or Rao people came to Malaysia from Kecamatan (Sub-District) Rao Mapat Tunggul, in Kabupaten (District) Pasaman, Propinsi (State) Sumatera Barat, Indonesia in 1773 to 1848 to Negeri Sembilan, in 1857 to 1863 to Pahang, in 1867 to 1873 to Selangor, in 1875 to 1876 to Perak and some in Kelantan.

Population

The population spread around Perak, several parts in Penang, Selangor and Pahang. Gopeng, a small town in Perak is a well known town for its Rawa community who is still preserving most of its tradition and dialect for centuries, way before the formation of Malaysia. Rawa Dialect

Among the most notable suffixes used by the Rawa is kuak, sang, tang. For instance:

  • Bak mano tang means "how could that be"
  • Ompek ringgit sang means "four ringgit only"
  • Nyonyo nak bergolek kuak means "maybe he wants to sleep"

Other significant phrases such as:

  • Bak siko cipier to means "give me the plate"
  • Ondeik! Gudang utak bak nyonyo means "owh! stubborn just like him"
  • Beserendeng tukong means "carrying things excessively/overloaded"
  • Banyak uta kareknyo means "he's mischievous/cunning"
  • Lotowk dongen kayu to means "Hit it with the stick"
  • Ako ngincah/kincah kain isowk means "i'll rinse the clothes tomorrow"
  • Bak kato jako...means "like i just said"
  • Aghri Senoyen means "Monday"
  • Pukol ompek karang nyo means "its at 4 o'clock"
  • Kao idak poie menjongouwk means "will you be going for the funeral?"
  • Abeih berkerotang sado alahnyo means "everything is a complete mess" (when the mouth gets messy with foods while eating)
  • Hopak! bergayo tang kawo genaghain/genarin means "Wow! you looks stylish nowadays"
  • Sempureh kawo! means "to hell with you!" (offensive)
  • Ku sipak kang means "i'll kick you" (offensive)
  • Abeih tekelayak means "it tears apart" (specifically for open wound)

The Rawa is well known for its distinctive deep vocabulary and exquisite grammar, very different from the ordinary Bahasa Melayu or Standard Malay speakers.

Source: Internet

Origin of Raos

Origin of Raos of India

Rao is commonly added as a suffix to a person's name in southern and western parts of India, in particular in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Konkan/Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana. Ahirs of Haryana and Rajasthan use Rao.Variants of the name include "Rai", "Raja", "Rayudu", "Rayar", "Rayulu", "Raut", "Raya", "Rana" and others. In the Gujarati diaspora, Rao is a common name among the Brahmbhatt or Barot community. India's ex-prime minister Narasimha Rao (whose last name is often featured in the NY Times crossword puzzle) is a native of Andhra Pradesh in South India.

Raos of Pakistan

The majority of Raos in Pakistan are Muslim Punwar (Pawar) and Chauhan Rajputs. Raos can be found all across Pakistan and are found in large numbers in the Punjab Province. In 2002 elections of Pakistan, Rajputs were in the largest number in assemblies. The Rao are famous for their customs, norms and traditions. Rao families prefer to marry in their own caste(Rana, Rao, Kaim Khani and Bhati Rajpots). After Indo Pak partition majority of Rao got settled in cities of Bahawalnagar, Maharwali, Khanewal, Lahore, Chichawatni, Pakpattan, Burewala , Vehari, Bahawalpur, Haroonabad, Okara, Sahiwal, Multan, and Lahore. Raos are further categorized according to their geographical locations and education level, most superior Raos are “Kalanori” and normal Raos are “Bahargamye”.

Raos of China

Raos of Italy

The Sicilian-Calabrian Italian surname Rao is pronounced in the Italian language similarly to the Indian pronunciation, although in the United States many Raos of Italian descent pronounce the name "RAY-O." One such example is Rao's in New York City, the Rao family of Rhode Island, and the Rao family of Charlotte, North Carolina (http://www.jayrao.net). Raos of Brazil

Most of the people with Rao surname in Brazil are the descendants of Italian settlers in Brazil. Quite a few people in Brazil still have Rao as their surname.