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
The Delhi University (DU, ISO 15919, ISO: ), also and officially known as the University of Delhi, is a collegiate university, collegiate research university, research Central university (India), central university located in Delhi, India. It ...
, 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
University of Mumbai is a public university, public List of largest universities and university networks by enrollment, state university in Mumbai. It is one of the List of largest universities and university networks by enrollment, largest univ ...
, and it was there that he formed a lifelong association with G. S. Ghurye. 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, United States. It was established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920 ...
and the University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (Penn or UPenn) is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. One of nine colonial colleges, it was chartered in 1755 through the efforts of f ...
) and in Britain (at the School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS University of London; ) 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 area ...
). 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
The Asiatic Society is an organisation founded during the Company rule in India to enhance and further the cause of " Oriental research" (in this case, research into India and the surrounding regions). It was founded by the philologist Will ...
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 Student financial aid, financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, Multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion, athleti ...
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
Academic staff of Delhi University
People associated with SOAS University of London
University of Pennsylvania faculty
Syracuse University faculty
Indian sociologists