Tatapati Venkataraju was resident of village Alamur, taluka Razolu, distt. East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh. He belonged to Kshatriya community. He took part in the Civil Disobedience movement (1930). On the occasion of the Venkateswaraswami Car Festival in Vadapalli, on 30 March 1931, along with the deity, Tricolour flag and photos of Mahatma Gandhi and some other national leaders were placed on the chariot. It was objected by the Government officials, and when the procession was about to start, the Sub-Inspector of Razolu removed the portraits of the national leaders. People resented the act and refused to draw the car without the portraits. Over this issue, a riot broke out at Chinnavadapalli. Police arrested some people and lathi-charged others and the crowd retaliated by throwing stones and mud on the police. Police retaliated by indiscriminately firing on the crowd. Venkataraju became a victim of the police firing; he was shot while proceeding to the river bund and died immediately.