G.T. Narayana Rao: RIP

We just learned from this morning’s paper that G.T. Narayana Rao, also known as GTN, passed away recently. We barely knew the good man, indeed the complete absence of any formal Kannada learning at our school ensured that we could get by entirely without every hearing of him. But our life did intersect with GTN’s twice some 20 years ago. Back then, we were a young impressionable lad in middle school, and we were participating in the MSIL-Lekhak Student of the Year shindig. This was a big thing back then. MSIL which was in the business of manufacturing/marketing all manner of student accessories used to conduct this grand statewide hunt for the best well-rounded student every year among students in middle school and students finishing high school. GTN was a big part of the “zonal” and “state” finals. He along with three others would sit in judgement on our efforts at presentation, extempore speech, and many other activities of which we have little memory now. We do have a lasting memory of GTN who left a deep impression on us with his erudition, energy and apparent mastery of everything. He could test our knowledge of English literature, show us the constellations in the night sky and speak knowledgeably about music,  rock climbing and mountaineering. Apart from a couple good friends whom we still run into now and again, we remember no one else from those days, that alone tells us what a powerful force he could be. May you rest in peace, GTN.