K Ramachandra Murthy

Career

He joined Indian Express as a sub-editor in 1973, and then shifted to Andhra Prabha, a Telugu newspaper in 1976. After working for 8 years with Andhra Prabha he joined the team that launched a newspaper called "Udayam". He was in charge of the Vijayawada edition of the newspaper. After 8 years with Udayam, Mr. Murthy shifted to Delhi as Chief of Andhra Jyothy News Bureau. He returned to Udayam after two years to take over as its editor. Then he joined Vaartha daily as editor in 1998. After six years at Vartha, he moved on to revive Andhra Jyothy, a reputed newspaper which had been closed for 18 months. He was the chief editor of Andhra Jyothy for five and half years before he launched Hyderabad Media House.

Contribution to languages

Throughout his four decades of journalism, he has been steadfast in promoting languages. He is a bilingual journalist who worked as editor of Telugu as well as English dailies. He gave a boost to the language wherever he worked. He was the first to introduce literary supplement in Telugu newspapers when he was editor of Udayam daily. He also encouraged short stories and serials in Telugu in Sunday magazines of various dailies he edited in his illustrious career. Mr. Murthy fought for getting the status of classical language for Telugu. He filed a writ petition in Andhra Pradesh High Court demanding the recognition to the rich heritage of Telugu language on par with Tamil. He worked in close collaboration with AP Press Academy in promoting translation of new words from English to Telugu. As CEO of HMTV, a Telugu news channel, he got famous literary personality Gollapudi Maruti Rao to present a series on Telugu stories titled "Vandella Kadhaku Vandanam" (Salute to hundred years of Short Stories in Telugu). The series went on for more than two years when about 120 short stories were analysed and depicted on small screen. The writers of the stories or their nearest relatives were interviewed as part of the programme. This effort was applauded by the Telugus living across the globe. Another path-breaking programme meant to highlight the importance of Telugu language was titled, "Jai Telugu, Jai Jai Telugu" presented by renowned poet Jonnavittula Ramalingeswara Rao. This was the most popular programme in the literary genre. Poets and music directors of the present generation were felicitated in this programme with awards in the name of the poets and music directors of yesteryears. A literary personality himself who wrote poetry, short stories and novels, Mr. Murthy was the first to interview in a detailed manner Kavi Samrat Mr. Viswanatha Satyanarayana when he was presented the Gnyanapith Award in 1973. Mr. Murthy's article published in the Deccan Chronicle stands out for its depth and range. He insists on using Telugu words in TV and newspapers instead of allowing English words to creep into Telugu narrative. He also presented a programme in TV channel to review new books published in Telugu.

Mr. Murthy had written thousands of editorials and analytical articles. He wrote several books on journalism and politics. He wrote novels, short stories and poetry in Telugu. His handbook on reporting is a textbook for students of journalism. One of his novels, Kaala Megham, has won critical acclaim. It was based on the US war on Afghanistan

Books Published

The Emergence of Telangana State, 2015 EMESCO Publishers, a compilation of articles published over two years under the title 'Thursday Thoughts' in The Hans India.

Sakalam, 2006, EMESCO Publishers, a compilation of articles published over three years in Sunday editions of Andhra Jyothy.

Rural Reporting in India, 2004, Prajashakti book house, a book in English which gives an idea of the rural reporting network in various parts of India. It tells about the procedures of recruitment, training and deployment of rural reporters. It also depicts of the way the network works, the news items transmitted, edited and used. The book analyses the socio, economic and educational background of the reporters and its impact on the quality of their reports. Instances of reporters caught in the crossfire between government forces and militants are also discussed. The book in conclusion gives suggestions for improvement of the rural reporting network.

Vaartha Vyaakhya (Telugu), 2003, a compilation of articles published in vaartha on various national and provincial issues.

Kaalamegham (a novel in Telugu based on the Al Qaeda attack on WTC in New York on 11 September 2001. This novel was published as a daily serial in Vaartha and later as a book in 2002. It was published by EMESCO. It was selected for an award by Potti Sriramulu Telugu University.

Vidyutvalayam (Telugu) – An analysis of power sector reforms undertaken by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, 2001, Lifeline Communications. It analysed the power sector reforms of the World Bank model as implemented in the State of Andhra Pradesh. There was a massive agitation against the reforms and its consequences. The model, the pros and cons are discussed dispassionately in the book.

Rajiv, my darling – a Telugu translation of Mani Shankar Aiyer's book on Rajiv Gandhi, 1995. The book discusses the trying times of Rajiv Gandhi as Prime Minister.

Vaartha Rachana (Telugu) – a handbook of reporters, 1992. It deals with the dos and don'ts which guide the reporters and sub-editors.

Amaeba (a journalistic novel in Telugu published in Udayam weekly in 1989). This novel is about journalists and their ways. It depicts how working journalists meekly submit to the powerful lobbies.

Kreedabharatam, a book in Telugu on Indian sports, commissioned by the Asian Games Committee, published by the Publications division, Govt. of India, 1982.

Saradaala Paradaa, A compilation of humour pieces published by 'Udayam' daily in the column with the same name for over two years.