https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Asavadi_PrakasaraoAsavadi Prakasarao - Revision history2026-07-31T19:33:04ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Asavadi_Prakasarao&diff=451827&oldid=prevSergdpd at 01:15, 29 January 20262026-01-29T01:15:01Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian poet (1944–2022)}}<br />
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{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Asavadi Prakasa Rao<br />
| image = Asavadi Prakasa Rao.jpg<br />
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --><br />
| caption = Prakasa Rao releasing a book in 2017<br />
| birth_name = Aasadi Prakasam<br />
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1944|08|02|df=y}}<br />
| birth_place = [[Korivipalli]], [[British Raj]]<br />
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|02|17|1944|08|02|df=y}}<br />
| death_place = [[Penukonda]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India<br />
| other_names = <br />
| occupation = Telugu lecturer<br />
| years_active = <br />
| known_for = Writer, poet, critic, scholar and speaker<br />
| notable_works = <br />
| spouse = Vaduguru Lakshmi Devi<br />
| mother = Kullaayamma<br />
| father = Teacher Pakkiirappa<br />
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] (2021)<br> [[Kala Ratna]]<br />
}}<br />
'''Asavadi Prakasa Rao''' (2 August 1944 – 17 February 2022) was an Indian [[poet]], [[critic]], [[translator]] and [[scholar]], who is known for his poetry and prose works. He is noted for his significant contribution to [[Telugu literature|Telugu]] and [[Sanskrit literature]]. In January 2021, he was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian award the [[Padma Shri]] in the Arts and Literature category.<ref name=Timesofindia>{{cite news |title=Three from Andhra Pradesh get Padma Shri |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/three-from-ap-get-padma-shri/articleshow/80454719.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=26 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Andhra CM YS Jagan congratulates four Telugu Padma Shri award recipients |url=https://www.telugubulletin.com/andhra-cm-ys-jagan-congratulates-four-telugu-padma-shri-award-recipients-112112 |publisher=Telugu Bulletin |date=26 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sarma |first1=U Atreya |title=Dr. Asavadi Prakasa Rao – A Literary Luminary with a Fund of Goodwill |url=https://www.boloji.com/articles/49404/dr.-asavadi-prakasa-rao |publisher=Boloji |date=6 November 2016}}</ref> As Ashtavadhani, he gave 170 performances and wrote and published 50 books across various genres.<ref>{{cite news |title=Four artistes from Telugu states honoured with Padma Shri |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/four-artistes-telugu-states-honoured-padma-shri-142169 |publisher=[[The News Minute]] |date=26 January 2021}}</ref> His most notable literary contribution is his performance of [[Avadhanam]] – a literary performance.<ref name=Timesofindia/> He received an honorary [[D Litt]] from [[Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University]] and a Distinguished Teacher award from the Department of Higher Education, Government of Andhra Pradesh.<ref name=setumag>{{cite news |title=Asavadi Prakasa Rao |url=https://www.setumag.com/2017/08/Author-Asavadi-Prakasa-Rao.html |publisher=Setumag.com}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Early life ==<br />
Asavadi Prakasarao was born to Kulayamma and Fakeerappa on 2 August 1944 in [[Korivipalli]]. His teacher Nanduri Ramakrishnamacharya changed his name to the optimist Prakash Rao.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=Noted poet, Padma Shri awardee Asavadi Prakasa Rao passes away|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2022/feb/18/noted-poet-padma-shri-awardee-asavadi-prakasa-rao-passes-away-2420926.html|access-date=18 February 2022|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Born into a Dalit family, he spent his childhood in the villages of [[Beluguppa]] and Sirpi. He did his primary education in the social welfare schools in those villages. He was educated at Potti Sriramulu Municipal Boys' School and Rajendra Municipal High School in [[Anantapur]]am between 1953 and 1959. He completed [[Pre-university course|PUC]] at Government Arts College, Anantapur, between 1960 and 1961. He also completed [[Bachelor of Arts|B. A.]] in 1962–65 from the same colleger.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}<br />
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He later worked for a few days in Eluru as a lower divisional clerk after passing in the [[Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission|APPSC]] Group-4 examination. He left that job as an obstacle to his progress and worked as a Telugu scholar in Venkatadripalle, Y. Rampuram, Kanekal, Kurli Zilla Parishad schools between 1965 and 1968. He earned a [[Master of Arts|M. A.]] in Telugu Linguistics from Anantapur PG Center (affiliated to [[Sri Venkateswara University]], [[Tirupati]]) between 1968 and 1970. Starting in 1970, he worked as an Andhra lecturer in Government Junior College, [[Rayadurg]]am, Government Degree Colleges in Anantapur, Guntakallu, Nagari, Punganur and Penukonda. He served as the Principal of Penukonda Government Degree College and retired in 2002.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}<br />
<br />
== Career ==<br />
Prakasarao was accepted as a teacher in [[Avadhanam]] education. He made his first Avadhanam in 1963 at the age of 19.<ref name=":0" /> He was regarded as the only Dalit Avadhāni in Andhra literature. He performed 171 Avadhanams, a double octave, not only in Andhra Pradesh but also in other parts of India such as Taruttani, Arakkonam, Pallipattu, Hosur, Bengaluru, Bellary, Donimalai, Delhi etc. His observations were also broadcast on television and radio. He also gave some [[Impromptu]] performances.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}<br />
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== Death ==<br />
Prakasarao died from cardiac arrest at his home in [[Penukonda]], on 17 February 2022, at the age of 77.<ref>{{Cite news|title=ప్రముఖ సాహితీవేత్త ఆశావాది ప్రకాశరావు మృతి పట్ల పలువురి సంతాపం.. నేత్రదానం చేసిన ఆశావాది!|url=https://m.ap7am.com/flash-news-735913/famous-poet-asavadi-prakasa-rao-passes-away|access-date=19 February 2022|work=ap7am.com|language=Telugu|archive-date=19 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219054205/https://m.ap7am.com/flash-news-735913/famous-poet-asavadi-prakasa-rao-passes-away|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Anantapur: Telugu poet Asawadi passes away|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/anantapur-telugu-poet-asawadi-passes-away-729921|access-date=18 February 2022|work=[[The Hans India]]|language=en}}</ref><br />
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== Literary works ==<br />
* ''Pushpanjali'' (1968)<br />
* ''Varadarajasathakam'' (1969)<br />
* ''Niryoshthya Krishna Shatakam'' (1972)<br />
* ''Vidyabhushan'' (1973)<br />
* ''Merupu Teegalu'' (1976)<br />
* ''Orchestra'' (1979)<br />
* ''Chellappillaraya Charitramu'' (1982)<br />
* ''Sri Raptati Parichaya Parijatamu'' (1986)<br />
* ''Sahayachari Sahiti Sahacharyamu'' (1986)<br />
* ''Potana Bhagavatamu – Third Skandhamu'' (1986)<br />
* ''Antaranga Taranagalu'' (1988)<br />
* ''Prahalada Charithra – A Comparative Study of Erranna-Potana'' (1989)<br />
* ''Jyotissuprabhatamu'' (1989)<br />
* ''Hanumat Stotramanjari'' (1989)<br />
* ''Subramanya Stotrakadambamu'' (1990)<br />
* ''Lokalilasooktamu'' (1990)<br />
* ''Deevasesalu'' (1992)<br />
* ''Avadhana Chaatuvulu'' (1993)<br />
* ''Ramakatha Kalasham'' (1993)<br />
* ''Avadhana Deepika'' (1998)<br />
* ''Domavadhani Sahitikunjara Murtimatvamu'' (1998)<br />
* ''Avadhana Kaumudi'' (2000)<br />
* ''Avadhana Vasantham'' (2001)<br />
* ''Subodhini Vyakaranam'' (2003)<br />
* ''Parvatishatakamu'' (2003)<br />
* ''Avadhana Kalathoranam'' (2003)<br />
* ''Pratyusha Pavanaalu'' (2006)<br />
* ''Nadichepadyam Nanduri'' (2006)<br />
* ''Prasarakiranalu'' (2007)<br />
* ''Samaradhana'' (2007)<br />
* ''Atmatattva Prabodhamu'' (2007)<br />
* ''Bhagavata Saurabhamu'' (2008)<br />
* ''Sameeksha Sravanthi'' (2008)<br />
* ''Suvarnagopuram'' (2008)<br />
* ''Avadhana Vinodham – Fun Speech'' (2008)<br />
<br />
== Awards and honours ==<br />
* [[Kala Ratna|Kala Ratna Award]] from [[Government of Andhra Pradesh]]<ref name="setumag" /><br />
* Jashuva Padya Kavita Puraskaram from Telugu Academy<ref name="setumag" /><br />
* [[Padma Shri]] from [[Government of India]]<ref name="Timesofindia" /><br />
*[[Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University]] – Honorary Doctorate (D.Litt) Awarded<br />
*Loknayak Foundation, Visakhapatnam – Avadhana Shiromani Award<br />
*Worship Cultural Institution Hyderabad – Life Achievement Award<br />
*Bharti Sahitya Samiti, Guntakallu – Kandukuri Veeresalingam Centenary Award<br />
*Andhra Sangh, Hosur – Sri Krishnadevarayala Coronation Award<br />
*[[Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University]] – Karyamapudi Rajamannar Dharmanidhi Award<br />
*Sri Doma Venkataswamy Gupta Sahityapeeth, Kadapa – Shatavadhani Award<br />
*Department of Higher Education, Government of India – Best Faculty Award<br />
*T. Subbaramireddy Foundation, Vijayawada – Kalabandhu Award<br />
*Department of Telugu Language, University of Bangalore – Joshua Dharmanidhi Award<br />
*Arunabharati, Banaganapally – Ugadi Literary Award<br />
*Kalakaumudi, Rajampeta – Centenary Poets Award<br />
*Daggubati Venkateswara Rao, Visakhapatnam – Aatmeeyapuraskaram<br />
*Andhra Pradesh Official Language Society – Linguist Award<br />
*Erranna Peethamu, Ongolu – Best Theoretical Writing Award<br />
*AMP Sahitya Akademi, Hyderabad – Silver Jubilee Award<br />
*'Daivajnasekhara' GVR Raju, Bellary – Saptati Award<br />
*Harijan Sevak Sangh (MP), Vijayawada – Gandhian Poet Award<br />
*Tenugubharathi Sahitya Parishad, Uyyuru – Best Literary Award<br />
*Kallepu Sagara Rao, Hyderabad – Spiritual Award<br />
*American Telugu Association Regional Conferences, Hyderabad – New Year's Award<br />
*'Kaviratna' Paladi Lakshmi Kanthanshreshti, Kadapa – Sashtipurti Award<br />
*Bhagyalakshmi Foundation, Badwell – Distinguished Literary Service Award<br />
*Friendship Forum of India, New Delhi – India Excellence Award<br />
*Sahitya Gaganmahal, Penukonda – Anantha Animutyalu Award<br />
*Lalithakala Parishad, Anantapur – Mandala Manikyalu Award<br />
*Sardardji Friends Association, Proddatur – Best Literary Producers Award <br />
*Kalajyoti, Dharmavaram – Sahitya Saraswati Award<br />
*Nanduri Ramakrishnamacharya Sahityapeeth, Hyderabad – Nanduri Memorial Annual Award<br />
*Anantha Kalapeetham, Anantapur – Poetry Award<br />
*Department of Culture, Government of India – Rashtrakavi Award<br />
*Rapaka Ekambaracharyas, Hyderabad – Retirement Award<br />
*Pushpagiri Mahasansthanam, Kadapa – Sankranti Poet Award<br />
*AMP First Harijan Mahasabha, Hyderabad – Telugu Velugu Award<br />
*Akkiraju Ramapathirao Hyderabad – Birthday Spiritual Award<br />
*Sri Rajarajanarendra Andhra Language Institute, Hanmakonda – Centenary Award<br />
*Gauturaju Hanumantrao, Hyderabad – Gauturaju Literary Culture<br />
*Keasvatthayya, PENUKONDA – Gold gandapendera honor<br />
*Kshirasagara Sahitya, Hyderabad – Kanakabhishekam<br />
He was honored by [[Babu Jagjivan Ram]], Bejwada Gopalareddy, [[Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy]], [[N. T. Rama Rao]], [[Nara Chandrababu Naidu]], [[Konijeti Rosaiah]], Nedurumalli Janardhanareddy, Mandali Buddhaprasad, PVRK Prasad, Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, [[Gollapudi Maruti Rao]] etc.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}<br />
<br />
== Books ==<br />
<br />
* Kalyanavani – Shanthi Narayana (Editor)<br />
* Asavadi Prakasarao Sahityamu – Anushilana – Mankala Ramachandran – Ph.D. Theoretical text<br />
* Aksharakireeti Asavadi – P. Ramasubbareddy (Editor)<br />
* Avadhanacharya Asavadi – Madabhushi Ananthacharya<br />
* Asavadi Kavithatarangam – Y. Shantamma<br />
* Asavadi Rachana Drukhpatham – Y. Shantamma<br />
* Asavadi Granthavalokanam – R. Rangaswamy Gowda (Editor)<br />
* Asavadi Antaratarangalu – An Observation – N. Hemawati (M.Phil. Theoretical Essay)<br />
* Hiranmayi – Special edition on the Asavadi Literary Golden Jubilee{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* [[List of Padma Shri award recipients (2020–2029)]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
{{Authority control}}{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Literature & Education}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Asavadi, Prakasarao}}<br />
[[Category:1944 births]]<br />
[[Category:2022 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Indian Sanskrit scholars]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian writers]]<br />
[[Category:Indian poets]]<br />
[[Category:People from Anantapur district]]<br />
[[Category:Writers from Andhra Pradesh]]<br />
[[Category:Telugu-language writers]]<br />
[[Category:Sanskrit writers]]<br />
[[Category:Telugu poets]]<br />
[[Category:Poets from Andhra Pradesh]]<br />
[[Category:Recipients of the Kala Ratna]]<br />
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in literature and education]]</div>Sergdpd