Somasundara Rao, Professor (Retd.), obtained an MA (history and archaeology), MA (Hons) and PhD from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, and specialized in the ancient and medieval history of Andhra Pradesh with particular emphasis on epigraphy. He was initiated into epigraphical research by the noted epigraphist and historian, Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma. He has presided over the medieval history section of the Andhra Pradesh History Congress, the political history section of the South Indian History Congress and the ancient history section of the Indian History Congress, and served as President of the South Indian Numismatic Society.
The V Venkayya Epigraphy Award 2026 will be conferred posthumously on Late Dr C Somasundara Rao, eminent Telugu epigrapher and historian, for his significant contributions to the field of Epigraphy.  The Award will be received by Ms Surya Lakshmi, daughter of the awardee 0n 25.10.26 by Tamil Heritage Trust  at  ARkay Convention Centre.