KARMA YOGI PRASAD
- Dr K J Mohan
It was grand father H M Reddy who introduced me to elder
brother L.V.Prasad in Rohini Pictures Office
It was there at that get together our everlasting impact of fraternity
was generated. Wherever and whenever we met we used to exchange pleasantries.
Prasad
was born into a respectable ryot family at Somavarappadu near Eluru not
far away from my native village Katuru. Our brotherly communications of
welfare continued wherever we may live.
Prasad is a dedicated cine technician who believed in dignity of labour.
He discharged his duties with honesty and sincerity irrespective of several
odd jobs he was asked to do. He had not only had the unique distinction
of appearing in the first Indian talkie "Alam Ara" but also
appearing on Hindi stage. He acted in several dramas presented by Prithvi
Theatres of Prithivi Rai Kapur. When I was at Bombay, I happened to see
one of the state plays "Deewar", in which Prasad appeared.
By taking meticulous care wihtout leaving anything to chance he claimed
from a humble foot - hill to the prinacle of glory.
After
appearing in a couple of films made by H M Reddy at Madras, Prasad returned
to Bombay. Brother K S Prakasa Rao invited him back to Madras to direct
and act in Sarathi Films "Grihapravesam" in Telugu, scripted
by one of my colleagnes T.Gopichand.
On the 1 st October 1946 my mentor gudavalli Ramabrahmam passed away while
making the historic classic in Telugu "Palnati yuddham" I was
working with him as an associate Director. After his demise.
Prasad was asked to complete the film. This time we both met again and
worked together. He appreciated the screenplay prepared while Ramabrahmam
was alive and did justice to it. That movie was a grand success. It was
a pleasure to work with Prasad. I have found in him a personality of diligency
in coordination.
Prasad was the President of CTA for 3 terms (1948 to 51) This is another
chance for me to work with him. He used to say that whatever we do to
the welfare of our brother technicians should be purposeful. We contributed
our mite to reach that goal. The L.V.Prasad Award launched by him stands
testimony and ever remembered.
Prasad
never craved for awards for himself but they have come to him to mention
a very few Dada Saheb Phalke Award, CTA Ramnoth Award, Raghupathy Venkiah
Award - the list is endless.
During my sojourn at Hyderabad, we both met one again.
By that time Prasad's Eye Hospital is working in full swing with eminent
doctorsand latest equipment. During our casual dialogue I have asked him
why he has chosen tofound an opthalmic hospital instead of a general hospital.
He reminded me about the silent era of movies and said that at first we
have seen with our eyes the moving images on the screen then came the
talkie era, So eyes are the important of human organs.
I echoed his sentiment in sanskrit "Sarvendriyanam Nayanam Pradhanam"
He was happy. To-day our Prasad's vision of human eye care stands as one
of the outstanding eye hospitals of India, like other film institutions
founded by him.
Prasad was a distinguished father of Indian Cinema. He was a true Karma
Yogi. In this context I quote a sloka from Gnana Yoga of Bhagawad Gita
:
"Karmanya Karmayah
Pasye Da Karmani Cha Karma Yah
Sa Buddhima Nmanu Shyeshu Sa Yuktah Kritsna Karma Krit."
My free transalation of the sloka reads thus: |
"Whoever in the midst of intense
activity finds intense peace and whoever in the midst of greatest peace
finds the greatest activity he is a Karma Yogi, he arrives at perfection".
That was our brother technician Akkineni Lakshmi Vara Prasad, who is no
more with us yet leaving us a rich cine cultural heritage to imbive.
Om Santhi
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