Rao Venkata Kumara Mahipati Surya Rau

Rao Venkata Kumara Mahipati Surya Rau CBE (1885–1964) was Maharajah of Pithapuram.

Surya Rau was born to Raja Gangadhara Rao and Maharani Mangamamba Devi on 5 October 1885 in the Pithapuram Fort and was named 'Suryaraya'.

The Principal Morrison allowed the young prince to come under the influence of Indian Culture through study of Sanskrit and Telugu languages.

Mokkapati was equally proficient in English and Telugu and devoted to the ideal of 'plain living and high thinking'.

Surya Rau garu from the early age devoted his time and energy to the development of literature, patronage of authors and many other philanthropic activities.