Author: A. Nā Prahlādarāv
Alternate names: Aanapra
Born: 24th JULY 1953
Bio: A. N. Prahlada Rao Crossword Writer

Crossword writer

He has created 40,000 crosswords in the Kannada language for Kannada daily newspapers and periodicals with 10,00,000 clues. He is also a writer and poet. A.N. Prahlada Rao was born at Abbani in the Kolar district of Karnataka in India. He started his career as a journalist. He was the founder Editor of HONNUDI the first regional district daily publishing editorial every day. He joined the Information Department in 1983.
He started writing Kannada crosswords in 1984. A.N.Prahlada Rao is probably the only man in the country to possess the unique achievement of having created more than 30,000 crosswords in a regional language—Kannada. And the range of his subjects vary from one end of the spectrum to the other -- cinema, science, crime, mythology, women and child issues, culinary, and of course, the general crossword. Two major daily news papers i.e. Vijaya Karnataka and Samyukta Karnataka and mangala aragini weeklies and balamangala fortnightly carrying his crosswords daily in addition to some of the major periodicals publishing in Kannada language. Every day A. N. Prahlada Rao creates 3 crosswords. His crosswords also published in Kannadaprabha, Aragini, Mangala, Balamangala, Chitra, Priyanka, Karmaveera, Tharanga, Vijayachitra, Vanita, Janapada, Vignanasangati, Policenews, Policefile, Sanchu, Udayaraga, Dehalivarte, Rangavalli, Hotel Patrike, Cheluve, Chitratara, Kandayavarte, Vydyaloka, Kannadamma, Udayakala and some more magazines.
He has contributed his crosswords to more than 40 Kannada periodicals in last 25 years. He also belongs to a duggaraja family of kings in Abbani with a rich history.

Crossword books

The first-ever volumes of Kannada crossword puzzles compiled by A.N. Prahlad Rao were launched on 14 February 2008. Three of the five Kannada crossword books are based on general knowledge, one on Kannada cinema, and another one for children. Poet K.S. Nissar Ahmed was present at the launch of the first-ever volumes of Kannada crossword puzzles compiled by A.N. Prahlad Rao. The poet said the love of solitude was missing among a lot of youngsters, who prefer to hang out at a noisy mall than solve a crossword puzzle in a quiet corner. The volumes, published by Vasanta Prakashana, was attended by Gandhian and writer Belagere Krishna Shastry, lexicographer G. Venkatasubbiah and jouranlist S.V. Jayasheela Rao, author and critiv pro.C.N.Ramachandran.

Bangarada manushya

A. N. Prahlada Rao is an author of a book named Bangarada manushya, the chronicle of Dr. Rajakumar, a popular Kannada film actor. The book Bangarada Manushya surmises the achievements of Rajkumar both on and off the screen. This book is a referral volume on Kannada film industry, for it is rich in details of the growth and evolution of the Kannada Film Industry. The book released at Washington D.C., New Jersey and also at Kuwite. "You have given me everything I have now and I can only give you my love," these words of the veteran actor were not a part of any script, when he was felicitated by the government for completing 50 years in the Kannada film industry. They were real, golden words which his fans had longed for. As the applause continued, Rajkumar said: "I am very happy today..This is no ordinary happiness." And when chief minister N. Dharam Singh stood to felicitate the thespian, the crowd went absolutely berserk. Even before the event took off, the setting was perfect with fans being entertained with songs and dialogues from Rajkumar's movies. Information minister B. Shivaram who released `Bangarada Manushya`, a book on Rajkumar's lifetime achievement authored by information department officer A.N. Prahalada Rao. Deputy CM Siddaramaiah too felicitated Rajkumar.The venue was also flooded with stars from the film industry. Senior actor Vishnuvardhan surprised everyone by falling at Rajkumar's feet and garlanding him before setting off to speak about him.

Belliterey Belagidavaru

His second book, Belliterey Belagidavaru, (Gems of the Silver Screen) contains profiles of 115 film stars of the Kannada silver screen From the pen of A. N. Prahlada Rao, the crossword-smith whose puzzles reach readers of nearly every Kannada daily or magazine, comes “Belliterey Belagidavaru” — nuggets profiling 115 filmstars who twinkled on the Kannada silver scre en. The book features everyone from patriarch Gubbi Veeranna to the golden oldies of the black-and-white era who reinvented the stage on celluloid, making the new medium a craze for first generation film-goers. Subbaiah Naidu, Kannada cinema’s first hero in the first feature film “Sati Sulochana”, doyen director G. V. Iyer, legends such as Master Hirannayya, B. R. Panthulu and R. Nagendra Rao who donned the hats of director, producer or actor with ease and élan, the first superhero of Kannada cinema Rajkumar feature in this book. Beauties who lent sparkle to the screen — B. Saroja Devi, Jayanti, Kalpana, Manjula and Bharati and latter-day heroes and actors including Srinath, Vishnuvardhan, Anant Nag, directors Hunsur Krishnamurthy and Puttanna Kanagal, and Girish Karnad who even shone briefly in Hindi films are celebrated in well-written, compact pieces that nudge the curiosity of the reader for more. Ravichandran, Malashree, Tara and other stars of the ‘90s also figure in the collection. These short sketches of the folk of Kannada filmdom, are an easy, engaging read, and can be read in any order. The longest article is on Rajkumar, at three-and-a-half pages, but then this could be the shortest piece that captures the essence of the artiste as completely as possible. With a foreword by director Girish Kasaravalli, who is also profiled, “Belliterey Belagidavaru” offers a pleasant ride through Kannada cinema and the famous names that people it.

Dr. Rajkumar: The Inimitable Actor With A Golden Voice

The English translation of his book 'Bangarada manushya' named Dr. Rajkumar: The Inimitable Actor With A Golden Voice was released in New Jersey, United States on 10 May 2008. The same book was released in London, England by Edward Thamson, Senator during the month of August 2008.
The late thespian Rajkumar, who made Kannadigas proud with his brilliant acting skills and his golden voice, the book dedicated to him, in English. Dr. Rajkumar: The Inimitable Actor With A Golden Voice was released by the actor’s wife Parvathamma Rajkumar in May 2008. She handed over the first copy to Professor K.S.Nissar Ahemed the famous poet and Padmshree Awardee. The book, originally written in Kannada by A.N. Prahalada Rao, and titled Bangarada Manushya (The Golden Man), was first released in 2005 in the presence of Rajkumar himself. It ran into three editions and sold over 15,000 copies. The book has been translated into English by literary critic C.N. Ramachandran and journalist Alladi Jayashri. Published by Sapna Book House, Bangalore. The book closely examines Dr. Rajkumar’s films, dividing them into those that dealt with mythology, on novels and the social dramas. It also explores his role of a singing star, and includes photographs from his films and other achievements.
To mark the completion of 75 years of Kannada film industry, the book has been released in New Jersey, America on May 10, 2008 sponsored by Brindavana, the Kannada Association of New Jersey. On this occasion the author A.N. Prahalada Rao and his wife Mallika Prahlad has been honoured by the resident Kannadigas from New Jersey, New York, Washington DC and other surrounding cities.

Rajkumar and Karibasaiah

Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur released the books on 75 noted personalities who contributed to the progress of Kannada cinema on 2 March 2009. Felicitating the Kannada cinema industry on celebrating the Platinum Jubilee” Kannada cinema-75 organised by Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. Noted Writer and Film Director Baragur Ramachandrappa, has the Principal Editor of the books. Out of 75 books A.N.Prahladarao have written 2 books. The books are one is Rajakumar and onther one is T.S.Karibasaiah.

Pada kreede and Pada Looka

To mark the centenary of World Crossword (1913-2013) A.N.Prahlada Rao has written 2 Kannada Crossword books, consisiting of 160 Kannada Crosswords each. Prof K.S.Nisar Ahemed, Kannada Poet and Sri Anantakumar, MP released the books on 7 October 2013.

Praana Padaka

A onther book written by A.N.Prahlada Rao, about Dr.Rajakumar, the Kannada Matnee idol. The book contains the some of the exiting incidents as recalling by Smt. Parvathamma Rajakumar. The book was released on 7 October 2013 by Vijayakumar, President, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and K.S.L.Swamy, the senior Kannada Film Director and Producer.

Nanna Daari Vibhinna Daari-Rajanikanth

A book written by A.N.Prahlada Rao on Rajanikanth, the Tamil Film actor and the world`s second highest remuneration paid artist. The book was released on 7 October 2013 by S.Shivaram, the senior Kannada Artist and Producer (brother of Hindi Producer S.Ramanathan, who was made Hindi film as Amita Bacchan was hero) and T.S.Nagabharana, the famous Kannada Film Director.

Vasanta Mallika

A. N. Prahlada Rao is also a poet. His 9 poem CD Vasantha Mallika (beginning blossoms) released in the month of December 2008. The songs sung by Nightingale of the USA, Bollystar 'Vasantha Shashi' NRI residing in the USA and music composed by the great singer 'Puttur Narasihma Nayak'.

Jaitrayaatre[edit]

A. N. Prahlada Rao has translated the book JAITRAYAATRE written by senior IAS officer Sri K.Jairaj from English to Kannada. The former Chief Justice of India M.N. Venkatachaliah released the book Jaitrayatre, a collection of articles written by the Additional Chief Secretary K. Jairaj in English on his experience as an administrator for over three decades in the State and serialised in a Kannada daily VIJAYA KARNATAKA. A.N.Prahlada Rao, Writer has translated in to Kannada. Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, inaugurated the function. Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala D. Veerendra Heggade, presided over the function, Jnanpith award winner Girish Karnad, Infosys chief mentor N.R. Narayana Murthy and Vishweshwar Bhat, journalist, attended. Urban Development Minister S. Suresh Kumar and Chief Secretary S.V. Ranganath were present.

Awards

A. N. Prahlada Rao has been awarded the prestigious Aryabhata and several awards. He has been awarded the prestigious Kempegowda Award 201 by Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike BBMP. He has also awarded Hamsa Ratna and Bangalore Ratna awards in 2011. He has been hounred in the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Gangavathi during 2011 December. He has been felicitated in the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Gagavati during 2011.

60th Birthday celebrated

A.N.Prahlada Rao`s 60th Birthday was celebrated on 7 October 2013 at Raveendra Kalakshetra, Bangalore. Abhinandanagrantha PADA BANDU consisting of 80 articles written by different personalities including Prof. K.Jairaj, Prof Doddarangegowda, K.Jairaj, K.S.L.Swamy, T.S.Nagabharana, K.Kalyan, S.Shivaram, V.Manohar about A.N.Prahlada Rao was released on the occasion.