A journalist and a columnist; A humour writer and a playwright; a law and English literature graduate; a reporter and a broadcaster - Turaga Krishna Mohan Rao wore many hats and with so much ease and finesse.

Krishna Mohan was born as the youngest offspring of Turaga Srirama Murthy and Venkata Ramanamma in Amalapuram in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh His father was a noted lawyer, much-respected Congress leader and a popular citizen. However, he passed away at a very young age, leaving a six-year old toddler, Krishna Mohan, in the care of his mother, a woman who was until then rendered her role as wife of a public figure in a supportive but low-key manner.

Krishna Mohan continued his schooling in Amalapuram and continued his Intermediate and graduate studies in Hindu College in Machilipatnam. "I failed twice in every exam before I sailed through. My foundation is pretty strong," he used to joke about himself.

He subsequently moved to Hyderabad along with his sister, Satyavathi, and worked briefly as a teacher in the Zamistanpur school and completed his LLB in Osmania University. His writing and editing skills were on magnificent display there as he successfully brought out the College Journal Justicia with unprecedented quality and standards.

That paved the way for his brilliant and popular career in journalism and Krishna Mohan worked in newspapers such as Hyderabad Bulletin, Andhra Janata and joined Andhra Patrika as a reporter and worked for four years as a reporter. He, meanwhile, completed his MA in English from Nagpur University with specialisation in English Drama.

The column 'Rajadhani Kaburlu' which Krishna Mohan wrote under the pen name 'Praveen' for more than two years is a classic example of political satire, incisive analysis, gripping social and political commentary and a documentation of contemporary history. It was followed keenly by politicians and ministers who were the subject matter for Praveen's critique and eagerly by readers. The column was appreciated by notables such as Devulapalli, Katuri, Kodavatiganti, Gora Shastri et al.

In 1961, he joined All India Radio as a reporter and contributed thousands of news stories, hundreds of reviews and innumerable scripts, including plays. PV Narasimha Rao, Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, Durgabai Deshmukh, Kundur Ishwar Dutt, Boorgula Ramakrishna Rao, Madapati Hanumantha Rao were among those who sought him out for his exemplary writings.

Krishna Mohan's writings appeared in many publications such as Andhra Prabha, Yuva, Jana Dharma, Jayashri and Andhra Jyothi centrespread, earning, along with his writer wife Janaki Rani, the fond nickname of Centrespread Couple.

He started the unique Publication House Pratyusha Prachuranalu, publishing and selling books for a token price, to encourage budding and struggling writers, enrolling hundreds of members.

Krishna Mohan was part of many organisations such as Navya Sahiti Samiti, Indian National Theatre, Working Journalists' Union and was a founding member of Press Reporters' Guild and Akashvani Housing Cooperative Society.