Page:The Message and Ministrations of Dewan Bahadur R. Venkata Ratnam, volume 1.djvu/21



EXACTLY sixty years ago, belying the older look of today, Mr. R. Venkata Ratnam was born on Maharnavami in the year 1862 at Masulipatam, a town of historic interest on the East Coast and now the headquarters of Kistna District. Sprung of military blood on both the parental sides, he possesses a stalwart, well-built, imposing frame in which dwelt more robust health formerly than for the past few years. But the eyes are as expressive as ever under a protruding forehead indicative of a massive intellect.

His early education he received in Northern and Central India at places where his father, Shubedar Raghupatruni Appayya Naidu’s regiment was stationed from time to time. Hence, while Telugu is his mother-tongue, his second language at school and college was Urdu; and he displays still a command over that language and an acquaintance with