Chaganti Koteswara Rao | |
|---|---|
 ChagaKoteswara Rao in August 2015 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | Chaganti Raja Veera Venkata Basava Koteswara Rao 14 July 1959 |
| Religion | Sanatana Dharma |
| Spouse | C. Subrahmanyeswaryi |
| Parents |
|
| Philosophy | Advaita Vedanta |
| Senior posting | |
| Website | sriguruvaani |
| Honors | Saradaa Gnana Putra, Pravachana Chakravarti |
Chaganti Koteswara Rao (born 14 July 1959) is an Indian orator and scholar, known for his discourses on Sanatana Dharma.[1][2] His teachings are widely known among the Telugu community worldwide and are regularly broadcast on channels such as Bhakti TV and SVBC.[3] Known for his knowledge and engaging style, he has earned titles like Pravachana Chakravarti (Emperor of Discourses) and Sarada Gnana Putra (Son of the Goddess of Knowledge).[4]
In 2016, Koteswara Rao was appointed as the cultural advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh and served as one of the ten ambassadors for the Swachh Andhra Corporation.[5] He has also contributed to various state government initiatives related to culture and public awareness.
Early and personal life[edit | edit source]
Chaganti Koteswara Rao was born on 14 July 1959 to the couple Chaganti Sundara Siva Rao and Chaganti Suseelamma in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh. His father was a staunch follower of Hindu Dharma. During his student days in Eluru, he used to participate in essay writing and elocution competitions on ancient Indian wisdom.[6]
He is married to Subrahmanyeswari. His wife is a state government employee in Agricultural department.[7][8] He worked for Food Corporation of India in Kakinada and retired as of August 2018.[9][7] He has two children Shanmukha Charan, and Nagavalli. Both are engineering graduates.[9]
Religious discourses[edit | edit source]
Chaganti Koteswara Rao regularly gives religious discourses on various Hindu epics like Bhagavata, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and various Puranas.[10] These are broadcast on various radio and TV channels. Some devotional TV channels set aside special slots for airing his discourses.[7] He does not accept any remuneration for delivering a discourse except his traveling expenses.[8]
He has several distinctions for delivering discourses. He completed the discourse on Ramayana in 42 days, Bhagavatam in 42 days, Siva Puranam in 30 days, and Sri Lalita Sahasra Namam in 2-3 months.[7]
Discourses about Films[edit | edit source]
He also delivered spiritual discourses based on musical films Sankarabharanam (1980) and Srutilayalu (1987).[11]
Positions[edit | edit source]
Chaganti was appointed as cultural adviser for the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 2016.[12] He was also one of the 10 ambassadors Swacch Andhra Corporation.[5] Chaganti Koteswara Rao was appointed Adviser (Students, Ethics and Values) for the government of Andhra Pradesh in 2024.[13]
Awards and honours[edit | edit source]
- Honour by Ramineni Foundation, USA in 2015.[14]
- Dr Pinnamaneni and Seeta Devi foundation award (2016)[15]
Controversies[edit | edit source]
On 5 March 2016, devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba staged a protest against Chaganti Koteswara Rao's remarks about worship of Saibaba during a discourse in 2012. Pending case against him is brought to notice of the government. Later on, clarification of his discourses holding huge respect significantly, the protest was withdrawn.[16]
He also faced protests from All India Yadava Mahasabha because of his remarks on Lord Krishna.[17] Later, the representatives of the community went to his residence. He clarified that he held respect for their community and did not intend to hurt any community.[18]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Discourses on 'Sivaanandalahari' from Nov. 22". The Hindu. 20 November 2009. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009.
- ↑ "Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao". srichaganti.net.
- ↑ Staff Reporter (7 April 2014). "Set aside time for spiritual growth". The Hindu.
- ↑ "Changanti, TS Reddy to be felicitated at Vijayawada". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Sindhu among 10 brand ambassadors of Swachha Andhra Corp". The Hindu. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ↑ "ధర్మబద్ధ జీవనమే అతి పెద్ద పూజ". www.eenadu.net. Hyderabad. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "'Chaganti, right choice as Cultural Advisor' Adapa Apparao". The Hans India. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Facts about Sri Chaganti Koteswara Rao Garu". Youtube. 15 March 2014. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao". english.srichaganti.net. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ↑ "Bramhasri Chaganti Koteswar Rao delivers spiritual discourse at Rail Kalarang". The Hans India. 15 October 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ↑ Kavirayani, Suresh (4 October 2018). "Sri Chaganti Koteswara Rao's second filmy discourse". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ↑ Staff Reporter (9 April 2016). "Chaganti Koteswara Rao appointed government cultural adviser". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
- ↑ The Hindu (9 November 2024). "Andhra Pradesh government releases list of 62 persons nominated to various corporations". Archived from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ↑ Staff Reporter (17 October 2015). "Ramineni Foundation to honour teachers, students". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ↑ "బ్రహ్మశ్రీ చాగంటి కోటేశ్వరరావు, ఫొటోగ్రాఫర్ శ్రీనివాసరెడ్డిలకు డాక్టర్ పిన్నమనేని అండ్ సీతాదేవి ఫౌండేషన్ అవార్డు ప్రదానం". Prajasakti. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ↑ "Shirdi Sai devotees protest". The Hindu. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ↑ "Complaint Against Spiritual speaker Chaganti Koteswara Rao for 'derogatory' comment on Lord Krishna". www.thenewsminute.com. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ↑ "యాదవులను కౌగిలించుకుంటా: చాగంటి కోటేశ్వరరావు". www.andhrajyothy.com (in తెలుగు). 21 January 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2019.