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J. P Sequeira
P.N.Bhojarao
Fr. Alfred Roche
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Mr. Yajnanarayana Rao
Barkuronilne is proud to
present Mr. Yajnanarayana Rao, as our
HOF.
There were hints that some of
the articles were too long. However, for want of data as well,
this article is quite short indeed:
The history of Barkur tells
us that it's the
land
of
Gods,
Temples, and Kings. It was true to some extent, just 75 years
ago. One of those Kings/Rajas/Rayas, was our well known Mr.
Yajnanarana Rao, who practically ruled right from the heart of
Barkur business complex, not as monarch but as leader of Barkur.
I remember him seeing for the
first time when I watched a Rathothsava parade. The ratha/chariot
would stop in front of his house gate. The sweating devotees, who
used pull the enormous, rickety, multi wheeled Ratha, balancing
the tower which used to sway so very precariously, used to get a
rest period and some eats from Y.Rao. I used to get scared
whether the swaying tower would fall on us children, but then, I
also believed, the Gods won't let that happen! Gods do not hurt
children! He had a small but magnificent temple within his
house. Yes, I had seen his
temple Muurthi, garlanded, and surrounded by lighted oil wick
lamps, (they did not use candles because of the presence of animal
fats in the candles.) because, once or twice his brother who used
to be my neighbor in Moodahadu village, used to give me letters or
packages to be delivered to Y.Rao, on my way to high school.
This powerful personality Mr.
Kachur Yajnanarana Rao, was born to Mr. Thammaya Shanbogh and
Sulochana, on
14th Nov 1923.
His wife's name is Panniamma. They were blessed with four
children, Jayalakshmi, Sunanda, Vijaya-Prakash, and Shantharam.
Barkuronline made genuine
attempts to find out where Y.Rao studied etc, but our miniscule
resources and for want of a Research and
Development Department (!), we could not obtain some basic
details. Shanboghs were traditionally known as record keepers,
writers, language preservers or teachers, (Guru-Shikshana) or real
estate transaction coordinators. He must have studied from his
parents, or Pandiths who taught or gave tuition to some selected
children. This family owned enormous amount of property, spread
from Kundapoor to Udupi, so much so, they had no idea where all
their property patches were located. The yields were shared by
cows, temple bulls, birds, and of course near by urchins or
humans! The land ceiling act, '"Uluvavane Holadodaya", 'curse
for some but a blessing to many', caused this family to lose about
90% of their land which they safeguarded for several generations.
Even though, none of his kith or kin complains about it, it must
be quite painful indeed.
He was elected as the Barkur
Panchayat Chairman in 1953. And served in this position till his
death on
9th Feb 1977. This shows how popular he
was. No one wanted to contest, out of sheer respect for this
man. He served as a President in Barkur Educational Society
from 1969 till death. Whaa,
what an honor! Yes, he too was highly responsible in bringing
the
National
High School to Barkur, as we have read
before, in these columns.
It is believed during his
tenure Electricity found its way to Barkur, in 1956 or so. The
sleepy town got some light at last, Thanks to Y.Rao!
Y.Rao was responsible in
starting of the
Hosala
Primary School. He was the president when
the bridge was inaugurated. It was a great site to see him cut
the ribbon, along with Sri Veerendra Patil Chief Minister of
Karnataka. During The Silver Jubilee of NJC he was the
correspondent. Was highly responsible in raising funds for the
NJC stage/fine arts center, named Kalamandira. He was of a low
profile, less spoken leader. I may say, 'Whatever is happening
Happaningay Happening' type of attitude. But still he got some
developments done as listed above. He helped put a few roads like
the one in Hosala. It appears, since the people were not keen in
having roads or modern amenities, he too perhaps did not push the
envelope too far. He did not want glory for himself, but he
shared, which is a sign of leadership. His role, his presence,
his firm but constructive suggestions got some things done.
His elder son Vijaya Prakash
Rao is settled in
Bangalore,
who was a former ISRO engineer. His other son Mr. Shantharam Rao
is settled in Barkur, maintaining the little remaining ancestral
property. He also runs an oil mill from his home.
Sorry, folks, we could not
obtain more details. However, Y. Rao will be in our minds for a
long time. May his soul rest in peace.
-James Fernandes, USA |
