Rallabandi Kavitha Prasad
Rallabandi Kavitha Prasad was an Indian poet and Avadhani. He performed over 500 'Avadhanams,' including satavadhanam and dvisatavadhanam. He also wrote various sadhanas, such as navarasavadhanam and astadasavadhanam. He received a Doctor of Philosophy from Osmania University for his research titled "Avadhana Vidya - Aaramba Vikaasaalu." He was known as "Avadhana RaaRaaju". He is survived by his wife Nagini Devi and sons Ramakoteswara Raju and Samvaran Kashyap.
Early life and education
Rallabandi Kavitha Prasad was born in Nemali, Gampalagudem mandal of Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh. He graduated from a college in Sattupalli and later received a B.Ed. from a college in Machilipatnam. He began his career as a teacher in private schools in the Bhadrachalam and Sarapaka areas. He later became a government teacher, where he worked to promote Telugu language and culture.Professional career
Rallabandi Kavitha Prasad joined the Indian Information Service and served as an Information Officer in Hyderabad. He then passed the Group-I services examination and became a Deputy Director in the Social Welfare Department. He later served as Regional Joint Director, Director of the Department of Culture in Andhra Pradesh, and an officer in the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams in undivided Andhra Pradesh, and later in the newly formed Telangana.Promotion of Telugu language and literature
Prasad was known for his command of the Telugu language. He excelled in Avadhanam, performing Ashtavadhanam, Satavadhanam, and introducing Ashtadasa Avadhanam. He performed over 500 Avadhanams.He was also an orator. In the presence of Dr. C. Narayana Reddy, he presented 300 extempore poems in the Kanda Padyam style and was given the title "Aasu Kavi Samrat" by Dr. Reddy. He organized the "Live in Poem" event at the Bhadrachalam temple.
He helped organize the fourth World Telugu Conference in Tirupati in 2012. His published works include "Dhwani", "Ontari Poolabutta", "Agni Hams", "Kaadambin", "Avadhana Vidy— Arambha Vikasal", "Padyamandapa", "Idi Kavisamayam" and "Saptagiridhama Srivenkateswara Swamy". He also authored "Avadhana Vidy Arambha Vikasal", "Padyamandapa", "Idi Kavisamaya", "Nooru teegala veena", "Sakti Upasan", "Dositlo Bhoomandala", "Satavadhana kavita prasada", and "Dwisatavadhana kavita prasada".
Health issues and death
Prasad suffered a cardiac seizure about a month before his death. He was found to have blockages in three valves and was put on a ventilator. He experienced kidney failure and died of multiple organ failure at age 53.Bureaucratic complications delayed the release of funds for his treatment, but then Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrashekar Rao, intervened. His family reportedly faced difficulties obtaining timely financial assistance.