NIZAMABAD : Mastering Avadhanam is no easy feat. The traditional Telugu literary art requires a performer to compose poetry to prescribed conditions while simultaneously responding to challenges posed by multiple questioners. For Banavath Nithin, a tribal engineering student from an agricultural family with no literary background, mastering the art has meant overcoming barriers of caste and class as well.
A mechanical engineering student at IIIT-Basara in Nirmal district, Nithin is taking Avadhanam to government schools to kindle interest in Telugu literature and help students develop concentration and memory. He is reportedly the first person from the Banjara tribal community to gain recognition as an Avadhani, in an art form traditionally dominated by Brahmins.
Hailing from Velagatur village in Mendora mandal of Nizamabad district, Nithin grew up in an agricultural family. Despite his parents being illiterate and having no literary background, he pursued his education through the formal schooling system before joining IIIT Basara.
His interest in Telugu poetry began in school, when his teacher Taduri Gangadhar introduced him to poetry and taught him the fundamentals of Alankara Shastram (poetics), Chandassu (prosody) and Telugu grammar.
Nithin later honed his skills in Avadhanam under the guidance of Telugu teacher and poet Om Prakash Bochkar. He has also authored several literary works, including Vishwanatha Shatakam, Vasaradeeshwari and Saraswathi Shatakam.
Describing Avadhanam as a demanding yet rewarding literary art, Nithin told TNIE that practising it could improve concentration, memory and mental engagement. Through performances and interactions with students, he hopes to introduce younger generations to the richness of Telugu poetry.
Avadhanam has several forms, including Ashtavadhanam, Shatavadhanam and Sahasravadhanam, classified according to the number of questioners, or Pruchchakas, involved. In Ashtavadhanam, the Avadhani responds to eight questioners, each presenting a different literary or intellectual challenge. The performer must compose poetry according to specific conditions while remembering and responding to the questions posed during the session.
Nithin has performed Avadhanams at venues in Hyderabad, Nizamabad and elsewhere. He has also participated in online programmes and performed at events organised by Vaddhi Paddipadmkar, Bhratha Sharma and other literary figures.
His efforts have earned him felicitations at schools in Nizamabad district and other places. He recently participated in an Avadhana Saptaham held in Armoor, where he performed Avadhanam for an audience of literature enthusiasts.
