He is survived by a son and six daughters.
Rao participated in the freedom struggle along with Mahatma Gandhi and was known as "Thotapalli Gandhi". He was active in social, literary movements.
He participated in the Bhoodaan movement in the early 1930s.
Born on September 2, 1920, Rao led a simple life and was the founder of the District Writers' Forum.
His last rites will take place on Tuesday in Karimnagar, his relatives said.