HYDERABAD: A woman Maoist who surrendered before Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Saturday drew attention at the event. With white hair and a hippie style haircut, she appeared like an educated professional, prompting curiosity about her identity.
Officials later confirmed she is Navata alias Chandra (61), daughter of revolutionary writers' association leader Chalasani Prasad.
Long stint in Dandakaranya
Navata, a resident of HB Colony in Visakhapatnam, worked in the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) of the Maoists. She served as a Divisional Committee Member (DCM) and was also part of the Regional Political School (RePOS).
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She completed her education in Visakhapatnam and is believed to have joined the Maoist movement before 2000.
Her husband Balakrishna, a lawyer, is also reportedly underground.
Family linked to revolutionary movements
Navata comes from a family associated with communist and revolutionary movements. Her father Chalasani Prasad was known as a revolutionary writer and a first-generation communist leader in the undivided Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.
Prasad played a key role in the formation of the Revolutionary Writers Association (Virasam) along with noted writers Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao, Sri Sri, Krishnabhai, and Ramana Reddy. He also contributed to shaping the Jana Natya Mandali along with folk singers Gaddar and Vangapandu.
His brother Vasudeva Rao died during the Telangana armed struggle, while his son Ravi was killed in an encounter in Srikakulam.
Navata, who came from this movement-oriented family background, worked in the Dandakaranya region for several years before surrendering recently.