NTR Remembered on His 103rd Birth Anniversary: Actor, Leader, Legend Who Still Shapes Telugu Identity
The Telugu speaking world united in reverence on Thursday as leaders, film personalities, family members, and admirers across the country paid rich tributes to Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao , actor, visionary, and statesman, on his 103rd birth anniversary . Born on May 28, 1923, in Nimmakuru village in Krishna district, NTR went on to become one of the most towering figures in Indian cinema and politics, a legacy that decades after his passing in January 1996 continues to hold an undiminished grip on the collective heart of the Telugu people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in homage, taking to X to recall NTR’s unwavering commitment to public welfare and governance that ensured dignity for the poor and marginalized. Modi noted that NTR’s contributions to cinema continue to captivate generations, and added that the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh, under the leadership of Chandrababu Naidu , remains committed to advancing the aspirations NTR cherished for the people.
The emotional epicenter of the day was NTR Ghat on the banks of Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad. Actor Jr. NTR , grandson of the late leader, visited the Ghat early in the morning to offer floral tributes, his presence drawing large crowds as fans echoed slogans of “Jai NTR.” NTR’s wife Lakshmi Parvathi and daughter Daggubati Purandeswari also paid their respects at the Ghat. Purandeswari described her father as someone who belongs to the people and is immortal in their hearts, noting that even today, lakhs of Telugu people celebrate his Jayanthi as if he were part of their own family. Grandson Nandamuri Chaitanya Krishna also joined the family in offering homage at the memorial.
In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu described NTR as a symbol of effort and transformation, invoking the Telugu adage that “with sheer effort, ordinary humans can transform into sages and great personalities.” Naidu called him a modern social reformer who brought transformative changes to the lives of Telugu people, and lauded his enduring influence on both governance and culture. NTR’s daughter Nara Bhuvaneswari also shared her memories, affirming continued respect for her father across three generations.
Across Telangana, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy , Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy , and megastar Chiranjeevi were among the prominent personalities who paid homage, with Revanth Reddy declaring that “NTR lives forever in the hearts of Telugu people.” The NTR Memorial Trust organised special events including medical camps and blood donation drives in Hyderabad to mark the occasion.
NTR’s journey spanned over four decades and nearly 300 films, where his portrayals of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama carried such power and divine grace that audiences often felt they were witnessing the gods themselves. He founded the Telugu Desam Party in 1982 and served three terms as Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, reshaping welfare politics in the region. He also received three National Film Awards for co-producing Thodu Dongalu and Seetharama Kalyanam , and for directing Varakatnam , along with Rashtrapati Awards for performances in Raju Peda and Lava Kusa . One hundred and three years on, the “Tarak Mantra” of Telugu pride endures, and on a morning thick with marigolds and devotion at the Ghat, it was clear that NTR is not merely remembered, but still lived.