He was born in Vasanthavada in West Godavari district to Chinna Bapanna parents.
Subba Rao conceptualized the idea of 'Enki Paatalu' during his student days at Madras Christian College in 1917–18.
He used the local dialects of Godavari and Visakha areas in his poems and received mixed criticism among his peers and friends.
After a long gap of 27 years, the second edition was released with some new songs added.
One of the most famous Telugu singers, Parupalli Ramkrishnayya, set tunes to Yenki Paatalu for the first time.