Besides films, he worked as an editor, writer and columnist for English and Telugu newspapers and magazines.[6] He worked as the associate editor for the then popular film magazine Vijaya Chitra from 1966 to 1990. Later, he joined Chandamama Vijaya production house as a writer and executive producer.[3]
Early life
Raavi Kondala Rao was born on 11 February 1932 in Srikakulam of present-day Andhra Pradesh.[2][3][7] His father was a postmaster. His education had been done in Srikakulam. He participated in Satyagraha in 1948 in Rajahmundry against the ban on RSS and Hindu Mahasammelan and was put in jail for three months. In his free time in Rajahmundry Jail, he read many books on literature. He wrote stories under the pen name of 'Mana Oohalu'. A few stories had been published in Chandamama.
Career
Raavi Kondala Rao used to write articles for Mahodaya weekly newspaper. He worked as sub editor for Aanandavani weekly magazine.[7] He was a writer of 'Paata Bangaram' in Sitara magazine, owned by the Eenadu group. He used to write cinema articles for Andhra Jyothi, Vijaya Chitra.
Veteran actress Radha Kumari was his wife.[8][4] She was his co-star in nearly 100 films.[3][2] His brother R. Kameswara rao was a leading dubbing artist.
Raavi Kondala Rao died of heart attack at a private hospital in Hyderabad, aged 88, on 28 July 2020.[3] He is survived by his son, R. V. Sasikumar.[7][3][2]
