Avadhanam
(THE CROWN JEWEL OF LITERATURE)
Avadhanam is an extraordinary literary art unique to India, that
demands unparalleled mental focus, multitasking abilities, and
quick thinking. Rooted in the Vedic tradition of learning and
memorization, it is an art that thrives prominently in Telugu and
Sanskrit.
At its essence, Avadhanam is the skill of instant poetry composition
while strictly adhering to the rules of prosody. When posed with a
question by the Pruchaka, the Avadhani must spontaneously create
and recite a poem in response. The questions cover an extensive
range of topics, spanning ancient and modern themes, classical and
commonplace subjects, local and international matters, as well as
social, political, and sports-related aspects.
Avadhanam involves deep concentration of the mind and the
systematic collection of thoughts related to a specific situation. The
human mind, with its profound ability to manifest thoughts, takes
center stage in this art form. However, achieving stability of the
mind, known as ekagrata-concentration, has been a longstanding
challenge. Avadhanam requires mastery of the mind, enabling the
Avadhani to effortlessly navigate and address a diverse array of
subjects.
Ashtavadhanam refers to Avadhanam performed with a focus on
eight topics, while Satavadhanam encompasses a hundred topics,
Sahasravadhanam includes a thousand topics, and the highest level
of complexity, Dwisahasravadhanam, involves tackling two
thousand topics
Dr. Madugula Nagaphani Sarma
with 80 scholars at Anantapur in year 1985 which was the first of its kind and received huge applause from the scholars.
1985
“Samskritandhra Dasagunita
Astavadhanam”
Astavadhanam”
1987
“Samskritandhra Satavadhanam”
with 116 scholars at 2 Rajahmundry, A.P. in year 1987.
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.
1989
"Sampoorna Sanskrit
Satavadhanam”
1990
“Samskritandhra Satavadhanam”
with 108 scholars at Warangal in year 1990 receiving thunderous applause 4 from eminent scholars and pandits.
in Tirupathi, in the presence of Shri Dr.Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then President of India in year 1991.
1991
“Sanskrit Astavadahanam”
1992
"Samkritandhra Satavadhanam”
with 116 scholars at 6 Kakinada, A.P. in year 1992
with 153 learned scholars at Visakhapatnam in year 1994.
1994
“Maha Satavadhanam”
1995
“Dwisatavadhanam”
with 225 scholars at Hyderabad in year 1995 in the presence of Shri N.T. Rama Rao, the 8 then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
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.
1996
“Maha Sahasravadhanam”
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.
With 116 scholars within one day from 9am to 9pm in year 1999 at New Jersey, USA . 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.
1999
“Ekadina Satavadhanam”
2000
"Sanskrit Satavadhanam”
With 108 scholars in Sampurnananda Sanskrit University at Varanasi in year 2000
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.
2001
"Amanilo Avadhanam”
2002
“Prekashakulanta Pruchakkule”
A Satavadhanam in the U.S.A. with each-one of the audiences as a Prucchaka (questioner) in year 2002.
With 516 scholars at Hyderabad in year 2003.
2003
“Pancha Satavadhanam”
2005-06
Many Satavadhanams and Astavadhanams in the U.S.A. during 2005 and 2006.
With 108 scholars at Avadhana Saraswathi Peetham, Hyderabad in year 2008.
2008
“Samskritandhra Satavadhanam”
2009
"Samkritandhra Satavadhanam”
With 116 scholars at Avadhana Saraswathi Peetham, Hyderabad in year 2009.
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.
2013
"Avadhana Vijayini”
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
With 80 scholars at Anantapur in year 1985 which was the first of its kind and received huge applause from the scholars
2015
“Samskritandhra Dasagunita
Astavadhanam”
2019
“Sanskrit Astavadhanam”
Conducted on the occasion of Sri Sri Sri Vidhu Sekharendra Bharathi Swamiji taking charge as Uttaraadhikari at Sringeri Peetham in year 2015.
Samskritandhra Astavadhanam - at the abode of 23 Lord Shiva at Srikalahasti Temple in year 2021
2021
“Samskritandhra Astavadhanam”
2023
“Sanskrit Astavadhanam”
“Sanskrit Astavadhanam” - as part of “National Sanskrit Convention” - “Samskrita Samunmesha'' organized by Sahitya Akademi and National Sanskrit University at Tirupati in year 2023
Audio works
Apart from his literary prowess,
Dr. Sarma has been blessed with another rare gift, his melodious voice
Dr. Sarma has been blessed with another rare gift, his melodious voice
Awards and Recognitions
Reflecting the knowledge and expertise of our celebrated Guru
Dr Madugula Nagaphani Sarma
Dr Madugula Nagaphani Sarma
Discourses
Apart from his Avadhanams which have been widely telecast across channels like Doordarshan
Service to Society
While his Avadhanams, Literary works, Pravachanams, and Audio works have had a profound