C.K. Nagaraja Rao was born on June 12, 1915 in Challakere, Chitradurga district to C.S. Krishnamurthy Rao and Smt. Puttamma. His childhood was spent in various cities around India and he developed a keen interest the rich art and cultural heritage of Karnataka, India. 

As a school boy, he volunteered to waited upon Mahatma Gandhi during his stay at Nandi Hills near Bangalore, India. The interaction with Gandhi and his close association with his uncle, Justice Nittoor Srinivasa Rao, instilled in him devotion for India’s freedom and welfare of its needy people. Rao’s literary career began when he won a school competition for his short story “Kaadu Mallige” about a Dalit (untouchable) music lover who was not allowed to sit with patrons from the upper castes during concerts.

He worked with Satya Shodhana Pustaka Bhandara, an Kannada book printer and publisher whose motto was the promotion of the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka. Under the guidance of his uncle Justice Nittor Srinivasa Rao, C.K. Nagaraja Rao had the opportunity to mingle with leading writers and literati of Karnataka. After a few years of work at Satya Shodhana, he took over responsibilities as secretary of the Kannada Sahitya Parishath and worked with influential writers like Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, B. M. Srikantaiah and others which further strengthened his resolve to delve deeper into the heritage of Karnataka.

Early life
Research: History & Culture of Karnataka
Theatre & Radio Plays
Historical Novels