N Veera Venkata Surnarayana Murthy
The eldest son of N Gopala Row is N Veera Venkata Surnarayana Murthy (late), a wealthy landlord. He served as the Panchayat President of Bheemanapali for 20 years and often recounted how his father, Gopala Row, would gaze at the sky, clouds, and sun for long periods, reciting slokas that inspired his paintings. The completion of a painting depended on his father’s mood; sometimes, a piece would remain unfinished for months. There were instances when he would pick up a paintbrush to start working, but if his mood shifted, he would stop immediately. He painted only when he was fully immersed in the right atmosphere. The canvas, brushes, and oil paints were all imported from Germany. During his childhood, his task was to wash his father’s paintbrushes and keep them ready for use.
Raja K J V Naidu
Gopala Rao’s eldest daughter was married to Raja K.J.V. Naidu of Kuppam. (Late) Raja K.J.V. Naidu was an industrialist and owner of the Indian Gold Mining & Prospecting Co. He played a key role in various infrastructure projects, including roads, sanitation, and housing, which significantly improved the quality of life in the region. His work extended to health and welfare programs aimed at uplifting marginalized communities. He was involved in initiatives that addressed issues like poverty and unemployment. K.J.V. Naidu’s legacy continues to influence the political landscape of Kuppam. His dedication to public service and community welfare has inspired many local leaders and continues to resonate with the citizens.
N Saibaba
N. Saibaba is the grandson of N. Gopala Row and the son of N. V. Suryanarayana Murthy. Thanks to my dad, I have learned much about N. Gopala Row’s story, and I consider him an incredible man. My father honors our family legacy of creativity and emphasizes the importance of self-expression and viewing the world through an artist’s lens. He often recounts the tales his own father shared about my great-grandfather, a gifted painter whose artistry was woven into our family’s history. He describes how his father spoke of great-grandfather’s passion for capturing the world around him, transforming everyday scenes into vibrant works of art. Through these cherished stories, my father keeps this legacy alive, passing down the significance of creativity and the deep connections that art fosters across generations.
I would like to take a moment to honor my mother in this paragraph, as I firmly believe that the women in our family play a pivotal role in our legacy. My mother, N. Lavanya, is not only the beloved wife of my father, N. Saibaba, but also a remarkable matriarch in her own right. A granddaughter of M. Baliah Naidu, an Indian first-class cricketer, and a great-granddaughter of the esteemed Buchi
Babu Naidu, known as the father of South Indian cricket, she embodies a rich heritage of strength and resilience. Her unwavering support and encouragement have been instrumental in nurturing my passion for my collection, reminding me that the roots of our family tree run deep and wide,providing inspiration at every turn.