Madhugiri Shamarao Anathapadmanabha Rao (1926–1985) was a professor of sociology who had been a founder-member in 1959 of the Department of Sociology at the
University of Delhi
Delhi University (DU), formally the University of Delhi, is a collegiate central university located in New Delhi, India. It was founded in 1922 by an Act of the Central Legislative Assembly and is recognized as an Institute of Eminence (IoE) ...
, India. He wrote and edited extensively on subjects such as the social aspects of nutrition, both urban and rural sociology, the sociology of migration, and social dominance. He conducted much fieldwork as a part of his researches.
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Birth
Rao was born on 26 September 1926
Education and Career
Before involvement at the University of Delhi, Rao had studied at the University of Bombay
The University of Mumbai is a collegiate, state-owned, public research university in Mumbai.
The University of Mumbai is one of the largest universities in the world. , the university had 711 affiliated colleges. Ratan Tata is the appointed ...
, and it was there that he formed a lifelong association with G. S. Ghurye
Govind Sadashiv Ghurye (12 December 1893 – 28 December 1983) was a pioneering Indian academic who was a professor of sociology. In 1924, he became the second person to head the Department of Sociology at the University of Bombay. And, is wid ...
. Rao went on to hold visiting appointments in both the United States (at Syracuse University
Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Locate ...
and the University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn or UPenn) is a private research university in Philadelphia. It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is ranked among the highest-regarded universitie ...
) and in Britain (at the School of Oriental and African Studies
SOAS University of London (; the School of Oriental and African Studies) is a public research university in London, England, and a member institution of the federal University of London. Founded in 1916, SOAS is located in the Bloomsbury ar ...
). He was a frequent participant in academic conferences and travelled widely in order to do so. Recognition of his work came in various forms, including receipt of the G. S. Ghurye Award in 1979, the S. C. Roy Memorial Gold Medal of The Asiatic Society in 1982, and the publication of at least one '' gedenkschrift''.
Death and legacy
Rao died on 12 December 1985, at which point he was, according to Andre Beteille, "at the height of his professional career".[ Following his death, a memorial ]scholarship
A scholarship is a form of financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic skill, and financial need.
Scholarsh ...
and an academic award were named for him.
Selected works
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References
Further reading
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rao, M. S. A.
1926 births
1985 deaths
University of Mumbai alumni
Delhi University alumni
Delhi University faculty
People associated with SOAS University of London
University of Pennsylvania faculty
Syracuse University faculty
Indian sociologists