[1] His father, Narayanrao Deshpande, was a Carnatic musician who planned for his son to become a lawyer.

His innovation was to recite both these epics in Hindustani music Gamaka style, inspired by Bharat Bindurao.

Throughout these Gamaka recitals across the State, Gururao was accompanied by Betageri Krishna Sharma, who provided the 'Vyakhyana' (interpretation in prose).

Gnyanpeeth poet D. R. Bendre kept close association with Gururao via discussions of Kannada literature.

He passed Inter Arts (a great feat) and admired Wordsworth, Milton and Shakespeare.