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.

His lectures on music, dance, religion, philosophy and literature have made him a very popular and powerful speaker, in India and many other countries around the world.  His  lectures on dance at Harvard and Tufts were  acclaimed as the best of the season.

Dr. Pappu  is an expert committee member of the prestigious Music Academy, Chennai  and also one of the Secretaries. He is also a  regular reviewer  of books on Music, Dance and  Religion for ‘The Hindu’ and a contributing Editor for the dance and music monthly ‘Sruthi’.

He is an examiner for doctoral dissertations on Music and Dance for many Universities across the globe. He is known for his objectivity, analytical approach and focused research.