Avadhanam – The crown jewel of Sanskrit & Telugu
Avadhanam is a rare and spontaneous literary art demanding a strenuous multisided mental focus of an intense nature, smart multitasking and swift task-switching. This unique art is found only in India, thanks to the unique Vedic tradition of learning things and committing them to memory.
Avadhanam is considered an exclusive legacy of the Telugus who perform it, both in Telugu and Sanskrit. Put simply, Avadhanam is a skill of instant poetry while strictly conforming to the rules of prosody. Upon a question being asked by the Pruchaka (questioner), the Avadhani spontaneously has to compose and recite a poem in answer. Questions follow different themes - ancient or modern, classical or commonplace, local or international, social or political, sports,etc.
Avadhanam in a simple form is concentration of the mind and systematically collecting the thoughts to a particular situation. The mind is a very interesting subject. The human mind is unique in its ability to manifest its thinking and express it in profound ways. The problem however since ages is the stability of the mind or ekagrata-concentration. To develop a command on the mind and gather thoughts together to a singular purpose is easier said than done. In a sense, Avadhanam is the mind's ekagrata completely devoted to a subject while addressing a wide range of subjects simultaneously. Avadhanam in 8 topics can be called Ashtavadhanam. Likewise, 100 topics is Shatavadhanam, 1,000 topics is Sahasravadhanam and 2,000 topics is Dwisahasravadhanam.
Dr.Sarma has to his credit over 1250+ Avadhanams in Telugu and Sanskrit languages. This unparalleled effort is a testimony to his commitment to propagate this rare art among the masses and inspire future generations, leading people to fondly refer to him as “Avadhana Yogi”. He is the first and only “Dwisahasravadani” to perform in both Telugu and Sanskrit languages. Some of his iconic Avadhanams are listed below
DR. MADUGULA NAGAPHANI SARMA
1985
“Samskritandhra Dasagunita Astavadhanam” with 80 scholars at Anantapur in year 1985 which was the first of its kind and received huge applause from the scholars
1987
“Samskritandhra Satavadhanam” with 116 scholars at Rajahmundry, A.P. in year 1987.
1989
“Sampoorna Sanskrit Satavadhanam” with 108 learned pandits in the auspicious presence of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Bharathiteertha Swamy of Sringeri at Shankara Mutt, Hyderabad in year 1989.
1990
“Samskritandhra Satavadhanam” with 108 scholars at Warangal in year 1990 receiving thunderous applause from eminent scholars and pandits.
1991
“Sanskrit Astavadahanam” in Tirupathi, in the presence of Shri Dr.Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then President of India in year 1991.
1992
"Samkritandhra Satavadhanam” with 116 scholars at Kakinada, A.P. in year 1992.
1994
“Maha Satavadhanam” with 153 learned scholars at Visakhapatnam in year 1994.
1995
Dwisatavadhanam with 225 scholars at Hyderabad in year 1995 in the presence of Shri N.T. Rama Rao, the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
1996
“Maha Sahasravadhanam” with 1116 scholars for 24 days in year 1996 at Hyderabad. This magnificent event was graced by Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao, the then Prime Minister of India.
1997-98
“Brihat Dwi Sahasravadhanam” with 2116 scholars for 37 days in year 1997-98 at Hyderabad in the presence of Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
1999
“Ekadina Satavadhanam” at New Jersey, USA
with 116 scholars within one day from 9am to
9pm in year 1999.
Millenium Mahavadhanam” with 125 scholars
at AP Bhavan, New Delhi in 2000. Highly
impressed by the event, the then Prime Minister
of India Shri A.B. Vajpayee had conferred
the title ‘Tarun Tapasvi” on Dr. Sarma.
2000
“Sanskrit Satavadhanam” with 108 scholars in Sampurnananda Sanskrit University at Varanasi in year 2000
2001
“Amanilo Avadhanam” with 225 scholars at
Avadhana Saraswathi Peetham, Hyderabad in
2001.
“Satavadhanam” in Oxford University, U.K. It
is a one its kind event which had 108
Prucchakas (questioners) from 108 different
countries in year 2001.
2002
“Prekashakulanta Pruchakkule” - a Satavadhanam in the U.S.A. with each-one of the audiences as a Prucchaka (questioner) in year 2002.
2003
“Pancha Satavadhanam” with 516 scholars at Hyderabad in year 2003.
2005-06
Many Satavadhanams and Astavadhanams in the U.S.A. during 2005 and 2006.
2008
“Samskritandhra Satavadhanam” with 108 scholars at Avadhana Saraswathi Peetham, Hyderabad in year 2008.
2009
Samkritandhra Satavadhanam” with 116 scholars at Avadhana Saraswathi Peetham, Hyderabad in year 2009.
2013
“Avadhana Vijayini” – a Dwi Satavadhanam with 207 Scholars at Avadhana Saraswathi Peetham, Hyderabad in year 2013. This event was conducted in co-ordination with Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam, Tirumala, with the blessings of Lord Venkateshwara.
2014
“Avadhana Raajadhani” – Pacha Satavadhanam
with over 1000 Pandits at FICCI Auditorium,
New Delhi in year 2014
“Vagvardhini” – a Sanskrit Astavadhanam at
Sringeri Sanskrit Kalashala in year 2014.
2015
“Sanskrit Astavadhanam” conducted on the occasion of Sri Sri Sri Vidhu Sekharendra Bharathi Swamiji taking charge as Uttaraadhikari at Sringeri Peetham in year 2015.
2019
“Avadhana Jaitrotsavam” – a Satavadhanam with 116 scholars at Avadhana Saraswathi Peetham, Hyderabad in 2019