Memorial Meeting Held for Kancha Kattaiah: A Tribute to a Life of Scientific Spirit and Brotherhood
Warangal, June 17: A heartfelt memorial meeting was organized in Papayyapet village of Chennaraopet mandal, Warangal district, marking the 11th day after the passing of Kancha Kattaiah—the elder brother of renowned ocial scientist and writer, Professor Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd. The meeting was a celebration of Kattaya’s inspiring life, marked by scientific temperament, resilience, and deep familial bonds.
The commemorative gathering was chaired by Professor Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd himself and drew participation from prominent political leaders, scholars, writers, and civil society members. Notably present were Legislative Assembly Whip and Aleru MLA Beerla Ilayya, AICC Secretary and former MP Madhu Yashki Goud, renowned cardiologist and former NIMS Director Dr. Prasad Rao, former Osmania University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ravinder, writer and Sahitya Akademi awardee Dr. Pasunuri Ravinder, Prof. Ramaiah Shepherd, OU student leader Naliganti Sarath, Bellayya Nayak, Vajresh Yadav, Sarita Tirupathayya, Charan Kaushik Yadav, D’Souza, Chairman of Good Shepherd Educational Institutions, along with Kancha Kattaya’s wife Bharathi, and family members Ramadevi, Krishnakanth, and Naresh.
Garlanding a portrait of Kancha Kattaiah, the attendees paid rich floral tributes, remembering him as a pioneer who defied superstition and lived a life rooted in rationality and science. Kattaya had undergone a heart valve replacement surgery in 1979 and went on to live a disciplined and medicine-supported life for another 46 years—becoming a symbol of faith in modern medicine. Speakers hailed him as a model for future generations.
A Story of Courage and Sacrifice
In an emotionally charged speech, Professor Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd recalled key moments from his childhood in Papayyapet village, emphasizing the decisive role his elder brother played in shaping his destiny. He narrated a powerful anecdote about how Kattaya, in defiance of a village elder’s casteist remark, stormed into the Karanam’s house after hearing their mother Kattamma being warned not to educate her children. “It was that moment that changed my life. My brother’s courage opened the door to my education,” Ilaiah said with visible emotion.
He went on to speak about their mother Kattamma’s determination, who taught him to write loan documents and helped him and his brother pursue education despite social and financial constraints. Both brothers studied at Osmania University, confronting upper-caste hegemony and becoming torchbearers of social reform.
Ilaiah also recollected the controversy and threats he faced following the publication of his books Why I Am Not a Hindu and Komatollu – Samajika Smugglerlu. He revealed how Kurnool MP TG Venkatesh had once publicly threatened him, but he stood firm, refusing to change a single word in his writings thanks to the unwavering support of his sister-in-law Bharathi. “She told me to never compromise, and I didn’t,” Ilaiah said, acknowledging her courage.
Tributes and Praise from Public Figures
Speaking at the event, AICC Secretary Madhu Yashki Goud lauded Professor Ilaiah as a global intellectual, calling him a guiding light for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “The slogan Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan used during the Bharat Jodo Yatra was born from Ilaiah’s vision,” he said. He also credited Ilaiah for consistently raising concerns about the backward classes in Telangana, which recent political developments have proven to be prophetic.
Assembly Whip Birla Ilayya praised Kancha Kattaya as a rationalist and an ideal role model who rejected superstitions and placed faith in scientific progress. Drawing a parallel between the Kancha brothers and mythological brothers Rama and Lakshmana, he described their bond as exemplary. Referring to Ilaiah’s book Why I Am Not a Hindu, he said the work exposed the caste dynamics inherent in traditional occupations and brought scientific discourse into the realm of caste.
Commemorative Releases and Future Plans
On this occasion, Naliganti Sarath and Pasunuri Ravinder released a CD featuring songs composed in memory of Kancha Kattaya. A commemorative plaque announcing the future installation of a statue of Kattaya in the village was also unveiled.
D’Souza, Chairman of Good Shepherd Educational Institutions, announced the establishment of a memorial clinic on the school campus in Kattaya’s honor, to promote health awareness and medical assistance in rural areas. “This will be a living tribute to a man who lived because of medical science and inspired countless others to do the same,” he said.
Health Awareness Session by Dr. Prasad Rao
Former NIMS Director Dr. Prasad Rao conducted a special awareness session on heart health, educating the attendees about the symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, recent advancements in heart surgeries, valve replacement technologies, and lifestyle modifications to ensure better cardiac health. He cited Kattaya’s life as an excellent case study in patient compliance and medical success.
A Life Remembered
As the meeting concluded, the air was filled with stories of Kancha Kattaya’s courage, discipline, and unwavering belief in the power of knowledge and science. In a world still grappling with superstitions and caste discrimination, his life served as a glowing reminder that education, reason, and familial love can rewrite destinies.
The memorial gathering was not just a tribute to a departed soul, but also a reaffirmation of the values he and his brother championed—equality, education, science, and social justice.
