This weekend marks the beginning of the birth centenary year of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, popularly known as NTR. The movie actor turned political leader was described by his biographer Ramesh Kandula as a Maverick Messiah. NTR was certainly viewed as a messiah by his constituents, perhaps because he was also seen as a political maverick who refused to become just another power-seeking politician. He was larger than life on the silver screen as he was on the political firmament.
In his altogether brief political career, NTR shaped three very important political strands in national politics. First, is a commitment to social welfare that has since become the mainstay of national public policy. The second is an assertion of regional identity through regional politics. Third, an unabashed combination of personal religiosity with adherence to constitutional, secular values in public life. At a time when national politics is pivoting around India’s federal and plural identities, it is relevant to recall NTR’s legacy as a votary of regional identities, federal personality, and religious tolerance.
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