A.N.prahalada rao, Crossword writer interview on Inchara TV on 08.11.2015

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• published: 27 Nov 2015
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Sri Sudhindra Rao, Senior Journalist interviewed A.N.Prahlada RAo, National Record Holder Crossword Writer on 08.11.2015 on INCHARA TV. About A.N.Prahlada RAo: A study in the UK revealed that five out of 10 people who commute long distance to work have only one pastime i.e., the day's crossword in the newspaper. It's not any different in India. A.N. Prahlada Rao (born on 24 July 1953), the national record holder in the field of crosswords, is an Indian author and a Kannada crossword constructor. With over 40,000 crosswords and 12 lakh clues published in various Kannada dailies and periodicals to his credit, A. N. Prahlad Rao has found a place in LIMCA Book of Records 2015 for constructing the highest number of crosswords among Indian Regional languages. He is also a writer and poet. A.N. Prahlada Rao was born at Abbani in Kolar, Karnataka, to Smt. Kaveramma and Sri A. R. Narayana Rao. After his graduation, he started his career as a journalist (1975) at Kolara Patrike, a Kannada daily. In 1979, as founder editor, he established Honnudi, a Kannada daily, in Kolar. Besides crosswords on general subjects, he has created thousands of subject-wise crosswords covering a wide range of subjects such as cinema, science and mythology. On an average, he constructs 3 crosswords every day. Five volumes of Kannada crosswords compiled by him were published in 2008. Prof. G. Venkatasubbaiah, doyen of Kannada lexicography and eminent writer, has written the preface. During the World Crossword Centenary (2013) year, A. N. Prahlad Rao published 2 more Kannada crossword books to mark the occasion. A.N. Prahlada Rao is the author of Bangarada Manushya, a book on Dr. Rajakumar, legendary Kannada matinee idol. The book was released in 2005. Padmasree K.S. Nisar Ahmed, Kannada Poet has written foreword for this book. The book surmises the achievements of Dr. Rajakumar both on and off screen. It was released in Washington D.C., New Jersey and Kuwait. The English translation of this book titled ‘Dr. Rajkumar: The Inimitable Actor with A Golden Voice’ was released (2008) in New Jersey, USA. It was released in London by Edward Thomson, Senator. A.N. Prahlada Rao and his wife Mallika Prahlad participated as guests at the release function held in New Jersey. His book, Bellitere Belagidavaru, (Gems of the Silver Screen) contains profiles of 115 film stars of the Kannada silver screen with a foreword by four-time National Award Winner and Film director Girish Kasaravalli, who is also among the profiled personalities. The book features ‘who’s who’ of Kannada cinema from patriarch Gubbi Veeranna to the golden oldies from the black-and-white era of Indian cinema. A.N. Prahlada Rao has also written 2 books ‘Rajakumar’ and ‘T.S. Karibasaiah’ for Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce as part of the publications brought out to mark the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Kannada Cinema. A.N. Prahlada Rao’s musical CD containing 9 poems ‘Vasantha Mallika’ (beginning blossoms) was released in 2008. The songs were sung by Vasantha Shashi, a US based NRI, who has earned the moniker ‘Nightingale of the USA’. The music was composed by renowned singer Puttur Narasihma Nayak. A.N. Prahlada Rao is the author of the book Jaitrayaatre, which showcases the memories, thoughts and reflections of senior IAS officer Sri K. Jairaj, former Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka. He has also written a book on Tamil Superstar Rajanikanth and a small book on Shantha Hublikar, a famous actress in Marathi and Hindi cinema, in Kannada. On the occasion of his 60th Birthday, a daylong beautiful felicitation event was held at Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bengaluru. The event included a music performance, release of books and a symposium on Crosswords. A felicitation volume titled ‘Padabandhu’, a compilation of articles written by dignitaries from several fields was released on the occasion. A.N. Prahlada Rao has been with the conferred with the Aryabhata Award (presented by Bengaluru-based Aryabhata Cultural Organization) and the prestigious Kempegowda Award by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike. He has also been conferred with Hamsa Ratna and Bangalore Ratna Awards. He was honored at the All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana (2011) held at Gangavathi.