N.T. Rama Rao

A commemorative postage stamp on the legendary Indian actor ‘Viswa Vikhyatha Nata Sarvabhouma‘ Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), founder of Telegu Desam Party (TDP), Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (1983-84, 1984-89, 1994-95) :

Issued by India

Issued on May 28, 2000

Issued for : The Department is happy to issue a commemorative stamp on this towering personality from Andhra Pradesh.

Design : The stamp design is based on the alphabetic symbolism of the Telugu word ‘anna’. Anna, meaning ‘brother’ is formed by the combination of two letters ‘a’ and ‘nna’. First alphabet in the word ‘amma’ (mother) and the second alphabet in the word ‘nanna’ (father) put together forms ‘anna’. Thus ‘anna’ is the manifestation of mother’s love and father’s support. In the stamp design, the first part of the emblem viz. the half cut face of the sun symbolises father and the second part viz. the earth, symbolises the mother. The design also incorporates other symbols representing the life and achievements of NTR.

Credits :
Stamp : Calcutta Security Printers – based on material supplied by the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh.
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Four Colour

Denomination : 300 Paise

Overall size : 2.9 x 3.9 Cms.

Printing size : 2.9 x 3.9 Cms.

Perforation : 13.5 x 13.5

Paper : Matt Chromo

Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million

Number per issue sheet : 40

Printing Process : Photo Offset

Printer : Calcutta Security Printers Ltd.

Name : Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao

Born on 28 May, 1923 at Nimmakuru, Madras Presidency, British India [now in Andhra Pradesh]

Died on 18 Jan, 1996 at Hyderabad, Telangana, India

About : 

• Affectionately known as ‘ANNA’ (Brother) for the Andhrites, ‘Viswa Vikhyata Nata Sarvabhowma’ Late Dr. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao remained in the hearts of young and old alike. Popularly known as NTR, he has been a legend in his life time. Born in a poor agriculturist’s family on May 28, 1923 to Lakshmaiah and Venkata Ramamma, at Nimmakuru in Krishna district, he was a crusader till his last breath, and retained a genuine concern for the poor and downtrodden throughout his life.
• He got introduced to theatre during college days. After graduating in Arts, he took up Government service briefly, only to resign and join the tinsel world, full time. He went on to act in leading roles in more than 320 films. His mythological characters, particularly Lord Rama and Krishna remained in the hearts of people who even worshipped NTR as living God. A self-disciplined man, he was an early riser, a practitioner of Yoga and teetotaler. In spite of his busy schedule as an actor, NTR always found time to undertake social service. His fund-raising efforts involving cine artists to help the famine victims of Rayalaseema in the fifties and those who suffered the havoc of Diviseema are memorable.
• In March 1982, the matinee ideal turned politician and founded the political party called Telugu Desam, with the objectives of Telugu cultural renaissance and rejuvenation of the economy of Andhra Pradesh. The party swept the polls in the next elections and NTR was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in January 1983. Working nearly 16 hours a day, he dedicated himself to the all-round development of the people. The programmes and schemes introduced by him included sale of rice at Rs. 2/- per kg, construction of houses for the weaker sections of society, the Telugu Ganga Project to irrigate the parched lands of Rayalaseema, reservation of jobs in select categories for women, pension for destitute widows, re-organisation of district administration and giving equal share of property to the girl child. He passed away on 18.1.1996, at Hyderabad.
• Text : Based on material furnished by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.