Dr. Varanasi Ramamurthy ' Renu' was born on the 10th of April 1916 in a very ordinary Telugu Brahmin family. His birth Place was Vollur, Ongole district in Andhra Pradesh. At birth he was named Ramamurthy by his parents, Venkatasubbayya (father) and Venkatasubbamma (mother). He was born as the fourth child in a family of 5 brothers and 3 sisters. He was married to Lakshmi Arundhati in 1937.
Even at a very young age of less than 10, Dr. ramamurthy wanted to go to Kasi (Banaras) for his studies. He along with his two friends once made a failed attempt to visit Kasi by train and went missing from their homes for a day. However they boarded the wrong train and were soon found by their parents in Vollur itself.
After completing the basic primary and middle school, Dr. Ramamurthy attended high school in Bapatla, Guntur District in Andhra pradesh. His education was entirely based on scholarship. He would study under the street light during the night and ate just one meal per day. Finally after high School, Dr. Renu fulfilled his dream of going to Kasi. Going to kasi for a South Indian at that time was a big achievement in terms of distance as well as Finance (both to reach the place and to support oneself there at Banaras). Moreover, educating self from Kasi was regarded as an Honour. At Banaras, Dr. Ramamurthy used to work at the Hostel mess for Rs. 3 per month (which was later increased to Rs5 and he could save a rupee by the end of the month) to support himself and study at the library to complete his education. He completed Hindi 'Kovid' at Kasi Vidyapeet and stood First in the University in 1936. After marriage in 1937, he studied Hindi Vidhwan at Madras Vishwa Vidyalay in 1938. Here again he supported himself by doing a small job during the evenings. Such was his struggle to educate himself that, it could never shatter his determination nor stop his progress to become a Literate. Later he returned home to his family and started his Career in 1939 as a school teacher. He would attend poetic hindi gatherings at various places including Banaras where he used to present his writings. Later, he decided to study privately and complete MA and used to visit Kasi on and off on work related to his studies. At that time he was working as a lecturer in Hindu College, Guntur and used to take care of his Family. He Successfully completed his MA in Hindi from Banaras/Kasi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya in 1952. All his education was entirely based on Scholarship. All through, he was a gold medalist and in 1977, he was awarded a Doctorate in Hindi Literature by the University of Rohilkhand, Bareilly.
During his Bachelor studies, he participated in freedom struggle and spent 15 days in jail.
During school time when Renuji was a teenager, he had craze to see Nehruji. Once when Nehruji was passing by their town he planned to stop Nehruji's vehicle. He with the help of the town people arranged a dias all set for Nehruji's speech and then placed blockages to stop Nehrujis vehicle. He even read his poem in Hindi to impress Nehruji. Nehruji was very impressed by the fact that a young south Indian could frame such beautiful poetry in Hindi.
His work field-
- 1939-1940 – Dr. Ramamurthy started his career as a teacher in a high school in Andhra pradesh.
- 1940-1955- He worked as a Lecturer in Hindu college, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
- 1955- 1978 - He worked as the Program producer in All India Radio (AIR), Hyderabad, AndhraPradesh
Renugaru was very inclined to spirituality and spent his later years in devotion. He was associated with many Saints from Kanchi, virupaxi and putthaparthi to name some. He used to sing many melodious bhajans. He spent his last years enjoying with his grandchildren. He continued his Literary work in which he was completely engrossed and guided many colleagues and Juniors. He had many admirers.
He breathed the last on February 19, 1995
A small note on Lakshmi Arundhati
As much as I have known, Varanasi Arundhathi was a very intelligent, smart, beautiful, witty and enterprising lady who took lots of pride in herself and her relations... no doubt she was worth it.
