RAMAKOTISWARA RAU-AN APPRECIATION

 

PROF. B. R. KUMAR

 

            With the passing away of Ramakotiswara Rau from this “Valley of Tears” that modern India has been reduced to during the 23 years of Independence, one more prophet of the raison d'etre of independence has passed away, like most prophets of the modern age, unhonoured and unsung–for a materialist age has no place for prophets; it worships only profits. A great deal is being shouted today from the house top that political independence without economic independence is of no value; but not a word is spoken about both political and economic independence being a malignant career without the foundations of moral independence, or as the ­Triveni puts it, “cultural” independence. The State, Aristotle said, is formed for the sake of life. Economic independence; but it continues for the sake of the “good life”, a “cultured” life. And it is in this connection that the greatness of Ramakotiswara Rau is to be understood; right at the beginning of his active life he sensed this truth and spent his whole life for its realisation, through the pages of Triveni. The U. S. A. is the most affluent, politically independent nation in the world today; England comes next. The first is going to pieces, so that no city is safe after 6 P. M. as per their own papers; the second is going to seed through its Hippies and Beatles, because “cultural” aspects of life have been submerged in the materialistic. Man does not live by bread alone; only animals do so, for fundamentally man is a spirit and that can only live on the spiritual values of life. And so Ramakotiswara Rau in founding the Triveni laid down its policy.

 

            “Triveni is devoted to Art, Literature and History. Its main function is to interpret the Indian Renaissance in its manifold aspects. Triveni seeks to draw together cultured men and women in all lands and establish a fellowship of the spirit. All movements that make for idealism, in India as well as elsewhere, receive particular attention in these columns. We count upon the willing and joyous co-operation of all lovers of thy Beautiful and the True, “May this votive offering prove acceptable to Him who is the source of the Triveni, the Triple Stream of Love, Wisdom and Power.”

 

            The triple stream of Love, Wisdom and Power–in the context of Indian life in 1927 when Ramakotiswara Rau appeared on the scene, was an indispensable catalyst for the Free India of our dreams, as it turned out in the short span of 20 years. For Power without Love and Wisdom is much like guns in the hands of children, dangerous both to themselves and to others. Unfortunately perhaps the span for the action of the catalyst was too short; and so when the British decided to transfer “Power” in 1947 it fell into the hands of the politicians, who had neither love nor wisdom in them, and the consequences are now seen all round us–national disintegra­tion in every sphere of life. But that perhaps is all the more reason for the friends of Ramakotiswara Rau to carry on his mission with all the greater zeal. For “Truth must conquer,” Satya Meva Jayate.

 

 

 

       Rajakavyaprasakta

NAVARATNA RAMA RAO

            Bangalore

 

            “His (Sri Ramakotiswara Rau’s) company is an excellent remedy against depression and defeatism but it is apt to go into a habit. I myself am a sad example. The first time I met him I liked him. The second time, I liked him very much. The third time, he became indispensable; and now I am a hopeless addict and I am afraid, I am incurable.”

 

–From his speech at the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Triveni in 1954.

 

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