Born In 1948, Dr. Pappu Venugopala Rao had his initial education in Vizianagaram and later at the Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. Dr. Pappu has three Masters -  Telugu, English and Sanskrit Literatures, a Doctoral degree in Sanskrit and Telugu and an All India Gold Medal in Business Management.

He started his career as teacher in schools and colleges, teaching subjects ranging from Physics, Mathematics to Sanskrit and Telugu Literature. He had a 28 year long stint with the American Institute of Indian Studies, Chennai. He started his career with the AIIS as Director (South) in 1980 and retired in June 2008 as the   Associated Director General. 

Dr. Pappu  has authored about 15 books, more than hundred research papers on Religion, Philosophy, Music and Dance. One of his English translations of a classical Telugu poem, ‘Dasarathy Satakam’ has been published by the PS Telugu University, Hyderabad as its publication. He has won the Best Paper Awards several times at The Music Academy, Chennai. He has also won the award for the Best Lecture Demonstration of Kuchipudi Dance at  Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai.

More than 15 audio tapes, CDs and discs of his compositions made with such stalwarts as Dr. Balamurali Krishna, Sangita Kalanidhi Sri Nedunuri Krishna Murthy, and others are a testimony to his melodious lyrics.  He has written compositions for dancers, musicians and even movies. He wrote the script for the world’s first animated Ramayana CD, which brought him encomiums.

Dr. Pappu now holds many important portfolios in prominent institutions, like member Sangit Natak Akademi, Delhi, Experts' Committee, member and Secretary, The Music Academy, Madras; Editor, Journal of the, Music Academy and Contributing Editor, Sruti magazine; and Academic Council member, Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai. He is much sought after for his interesting and informative lectures on various topics related to music, dance and literature and is a Visiting Professor at Kalakshetra, University of Hyderabad among others. He is also an adjudicator of Doctoral dissertations in dance, music and literature for many Universities globally.