May 28, 2008
Hyderabad

People of Andhra Pradesh, born before 1975, would surely remember the wild, passionate and heartfelt scribbling of the three-lettered word NTR on the house walls of almost 80 percent of the populace. The magic word gripped the masses - from the age group of 5 to 80, 90 and beyond (if they lived). First time in the history of Andhra Pradesh, in 1982, an actor called NT Rama Rao had hit the roads, clad in the uniform of an Army Jawan. When, the man, better call a volcanic force, floated Telugu Desam, people were reluctant to identify it as a political party and NTR as a human being. For them, NTR was Lord Rama or Krishna, who landed in their village – directly from heaven. When he stood at the entry points of any village or town or city, humanity would surround him 360 degrees. It would be rain of petals on NTR, widely and blindly believed as a divine incarnation. His military uniform instilled gigantic confidence in the masses as their protector. As he spoke, waving his hands, people went into mass hysteria. Old people, lifting both their hands, prayed to him. After all, he was not a man. But, their Pratyaksha Daivam.

What was the aftermath of August 15th, 1984, when NTR was ousted from the power, in the power game of his own deputy? The entire nation was shocked. Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi dismissed the governor of Andhra Pradesh. People forgot to sleep till they saw their God on throne, again. Rest was history, politics and not worth for a pleasant memoir. Basically, NTR was not a politician. He was a man of the masses. Unfortunately, most of the welfare schemes sketched and implemented by NTR have now turned into mere election-oriented words.

Absolutely, without NTR, there would not have been a politically-socially-conscious Andhra Pradesh today. Similarly, Telugu film industry would not have been what it is today. He deserves to be called the Father of the state's modern development and the most vibrant pioneer of Tollywood's consolidation in Hyderabad. Other than remembering the hoary legend called NTR twice a year, nothing concrete exists as a tribute to his legacy.

Neither the governments nor the film industry in actuality did anything useful to sustain NTR's dream of Ramrajya. The mere demand for Bharat Ratna for NTR will not make his soul happy. They should make the younger generation – who were born after 1996 – know that there lived a man called NTR who traversed the state to bring justice to the poor, needy and hungry.

Idlebrain.com fondly remembers NTR.