Academic Laurel for “Triveni”
K. RAMAKOTISWARA RAU
Founder-Editor, TRIVENI
“Triveni” literally means the “Triple Stream.”
In the present context, it stands for the triple
stream of art, literature and history.
Its main function, as conceived by the Founder-Editor
(K. Ramakotiswara Rau of hallowed memory) over sixty years ago, is to interpret
the Indian Renaissance in its manifold aspects.
It was in a prayerful spirit that the founder,
whose devotion to the cause of Indian culture and the welfare of his
brain-child was total, made a votive offering of it to Him “Who is the source
of the Triple Stream of Love, Wisdom and Power.”
One might add that it is the same unknown and
unknowable source towards which converge the streams of Bhakti, Jnana and
Karma, in the popular mind.
TRIVENI has had many ups and downs since its
inception and was never really free of them. Standing for values uncommercial,
the tiny stream, with its waters pure and undefiled, has continued to flow, in
however small a trickle, all these sixty years. It refused to dry up in the
dreary sand of indifference and imperception. It did not die in an atmosphere
of philistinism. It will not die, in the growing dust of commercialism.
If it has continued to flow all these years, with
no interruption since 1950, it was due to the courage and devotion of the
present Editor, Shri Bhavaraju Narasimha Rao, who took it over as a labour of
love and continues to bear it as a trust. He is cast in the role of Bharata
whose Rama will never come back, but whose memory never fails to inspire him.
Material rewards may be few and far between in a
field in which a job well done is cherished as a reward in itself. But public
recognition is not unwelcome as a source of encouragement for continuing the
useful work with increased vigour. It is in that spirit that the Degree of
Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) conferred on him by Nagarjuna University is
accepted by the Editor of this quarterly, Shri Bhavaraju Narasimha Rao. He
takes it as a tribute to the memory of his mentor, Ramakotiswara Rau, and as a
garland of choice flowers for the “Triple Stream” from the groves of an
academe.
It is by a fortuitous circumstance that this
honour comes when TRIVENI is on the eve of its Diamond Jubilee. It is perhaps a
signal that it should flow on, quietly and steadily, but in larger volume and
greater depth, until it reaches its destination, and fulfils its destiny.
–D. A.