->GreenC bot at 17:28, 24 October 2021

2021-10-24T17:28:08Z

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'''A. N. Prahlada Rao''' (born 24 July 1953) is an [[India]]n author and [[Kannada]]-language [[crossword]] compiler/ Constructor.

==Career==
A. N. Prahlada Rao was born at [[Abbani]] in the [[Kolar district]] of [[Karnataka]], India. He started his career as a [[journalist]] and was the founder editor of ''[[Honnudi]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rni.nic.in/display_details.asp?regn=29940 |title=Edit -Details Displayed |publisher=Rni.nic.in |date= |accessdate=2016-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227060647/http://rni.nic.in/display_details.asp?regn=29940 |archive-date=27 December 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Rao's involvement in crossword compilation is a hobby that developed from an interest in solving both Kannada and English crosswords while a student in the mid-1970s. He joined the Karnataka Information Department in 1983 in a public relations role and it was at that time he began to compile seriously. He now works as Public Relations Officer to Minister for Social Welfare, Government of Karnataka and compiles daily puzzles, sometimes with assistance from his wife. He specialises in themed puzzles and has a particular fondness for cinema. They have appeared in daily, weekly and fortnightly publications such as ''[[Prajavani]]'', ''[[Samyukta Karnataka]]'', ''[[Shakthi]]'', ''[[Mangala]]'', ''[[Vijaya Karnataka]]'' and ''Ee Sanje''. Now he is creating daily Crosswords for Vijaya Karnataka, Samyukta Karnataka andPrajavani (Sahapati). By the end of 2018 July he has composed 42,000 Crosswords and quiz puzzles. Compilation initially took him around two hours but he had reduced that to no more than 20 minutes.<ref name="hinduonnet2002">{{cite news |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/lf/2002/09/22/stories/2002092200070200.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103015103/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/lf/2002/09/22/stories/2002092200070200.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=3 January 2013 |work=The Hindu |title=The face behind the chequered grids |date=22 September 2002 |accessdate=2014-07-07 }}</ref><ref name="thehindubusinessline2001">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2001/05/14/stories/101444g3.htm |title=Making clues |work=The Hindu Businessline |date=14 May 2001 |accessdate=2014-07-07}}</ref>

Aside from producing crosswords, Rao also sets quizzes for several publications, drawing on the same trivia and reference books that he has amassed for his compilation efforts. The front wall of his house includes a crossword grid of black and white tiles.<ref name="hinduonnet2002"/><ref name="thehindubusinessline2001"/>

He has contributed his crosswords to more than 40 Kannada periodicals in the 25 years to 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.limcabookofrecords.in/record-detail.aspx?rid=1027 |title=Limca Book of Records |publisher=Limcabookofrecords.in |date= |accessdate=2016-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504012148/http://www.limcabookofrecords.in/record-detail.aspx?rid=1027 |archive-date=4 May 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Crossword books==

The first volumes of Kannada crossword puzzles compiled by Rao were launched on 14 February 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/17/stories/2008021753500400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724083952/http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/17/stories/2008021753500400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 July 2009 |title=Kannada crossword puzzles launched |date=17 February 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2014-07-07}}</ref> Three of the five Kannada crossword books are based on general knowledge, one on Kannada cinema, and another one for children.

To mark the centenary of the first crossword, in 2013 Rao wrote two Kannada crossword books, titled ''Pada Kreede'' and ''Pada Looka''. Each contained 160 crosswords.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vasanthaprakashana.com/padakreede |title=Pada Kreede |publisher=Vasantha Prakashana |date= |accessdate=2014-07-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vasanthaprakashana.com/padaloka |title=Pada Loka |publisher=Vasantha Prakashana |date= |accessdate=2014-07-07}}</ref>

5 More Kannada Crossword books has released on 15.01.2017, titled Padajala, Padajaga, Padaranga, Padasampada and Padavyuha. Prof. Doddarangegowda, Poet released the books.

==Limca Book of Record==
As of 2016, Rao is noted in the [[Limca Book of Records]] for creating the greatest number of crosswords in a regional language.<ref>{{cite web|title=MOST CROSSWORDS CREATED (REGIONAL LANGUAGE)|url=http://www.limcabookofrecords.in/record-detail.aspx?rid=1027|website=Limca Book of Records|publisher=limcabookofrecords.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504012148/http://www.limcabookofrecords.in/record-detail.aspx?rid=1027|archivedate=4 May 2016}}</ref>
==Kalam Book of World Record==
His name has included in Kalam Book of World Records in 2019.<ref>http://www.kalamsworldrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/WhatsApp-Image-2020-03-13-at-6.46.38-PM.jpeg</ref><ref>http://www.kalamsworldrecords.com/world-records-2019/</ref>

==ASIAN Record==
A.N.Prahlada Rao's name has included in Asian Record Academy in 2021.<ref>https://www.asianrecordsacademy.com/galleryview.php?seo_friendly_url=highest-number-of-crosswords-created-by-an-individual-male-</ref>

==Other works==
*''[[Bangarada Manushya]]'' (2005),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/14/stories/2006041416600500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060415151841/http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/14/stories/2006041416600500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 April 2006 |title=Exploring a phenomenon called Rajkumar |date=14 April 2006 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2014-07-07}}</ref> a biography of [[Dr. Rajakumar]], a popular Kannada film actor. Also translated into English as ''[[Dr. Rajkumar: The Inimitable Actor With A Golden Voice]]'' (2008).<ref name="hindu1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/02/stories/2008050262220400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506050102/http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/02/stories/2008050262220400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 May 2008 |title=Book on Rajkumar to be released in New Jersey |date=2 May 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2014-07-07}}</ref>
*''[[Belliterey Belagidavaru]]'' (''Gems of the Silver Screen'') (2007), contains profiles of 115 film stars of [[Kannada cinema]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/07/06/stories/2007070650300400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813181358/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/07/06/stories/2007070650300400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 August 2007 |title=Friday Review Bangalore / Books : Through the NRI eye |date=6 July 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2014-07-07}}</ref>
*''[[Vasanta Mallika]]'' (''Beginning Blossoms'') (2008), a CD containing nine poems that were sung by [[Vasantha Shashi]] with music composed by [[Puttur Narasihma Nayak]].
*''[[Nanna Daari Vibhinna Daari - Rajanikanth]]'' (2013), about the Tamil film actor [[Rajanikanth]]
*''[[Praana Padaka]]'' (2013), contains recollections of Rajakumar's wife, Parvathamma.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vasanthaprakashana.com/praana-padaka |title=Praana Padaka |publisher=Vasantha Prakashana |date= |accessdate=2014-07-07}}</ref>
*''[[Jaitrayaatre]]'', a translation into Kannada of the similarly titled book written in English by K. Jairaj, an Additional Chief Secretary in the [[Indian Administrative Service]]. It documents Jairaj's experiences as an administrator over three decades and was serialised in the Kannada daily newspaper ''[[Vijaya Karnataka]]''.
*''[[Danivillada Dhani]]'', a Book on [[B.R.Pantulu]], Great Director, Produces and Actor in Kannada and Tamil, written by [[A.N.Prahlada Rao]], published through [[Karnataka Chalana Chitra Academy]] has been released by [[Dr. Bharati Vishnuvardhan]] in November 2016 at Samsa.

In 2009, 75 books about people who had contributed to Kannada cinema were released as part of the Platinum Jubilee [[Kannada Cinema-75]] organised by [[Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce]]. Among those books were two by Rao, being his earlier work on Rajakumar<ref name="hindu1"/> and [[T. S. Karibasaiah]].

[[A.N.Prahlada Rao]] has inducted into the [[PR Hall of Fame]], and felicitated with prestigious PRCI awards at the 12th Global Communication Conclave held at Pune, March 2018.<ref>http://www.vikypedia.in/barun-jha-pti-adfactors-madan-bahal-win-top-honours-prci-global-conclave/</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rao, A. N. Prahlada}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Crossword compilers]]
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:People from Kolar]]
[[Category:World record holders]]

A. N. Prahlada Rao - Revision history

->GreenC bot at 17:28, 24 October 2021