Hans News Service Visakhapatnam

Renownedspiritual orator Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma received the prestigious Kopparapu Kavulu National Talent Award-2026. The award presentation took place on Wednesday evening at the Kalabharati Auditorium in Visakhapatnam during the 24th anniversary celebrations of the Kopparapu Kavula Kalapeetham.

The awards were presented by distinguished guests, including Andhra Pradesh High Court Judge Justice B. Krishna Mohan, retired Judge Justice Durga Prasad, Professors Viswanatha Gopalakrishna Sastry and Tadepalli Patanjali Sastry and renowned US-based cardiologist Alla Srinivasa Reddy.

Betavolu Rama Brahmam presided over the event. Machavaram Venkata Chenchurama Maruti Subbaraya Sarma, known as MAA Sarma, the founder- president of the ‘Kopparapu Kavula Kalapeetham’, delivered the inaugural address.

He detailed how these grand annual festivals have been celebrated with great distinction across the Telugu states for the past 24 years to honour the Kopparapu Brothers (Kopparapu Venkata Subbaraya Kavi: 1885–1932, Kopparapu Venkata Ramana Kavi: 1887–1942), the pioneers and supreme masters of the unique Telugu literary art form known as Avadhanam.

He highlighted that Dr Alla Srinivasa Reddy, renowned US-based cardiologist, receiving the first copy of ‘Sri Kopparapu Sodara Kavula Shatavadhana Soundaryam’ authored by the Kopparapu Brothers, during the book launch was a special gesture.

The event featured presentation of the ‘Kopparapu National Talent Award’ to Brahmasri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma, followed by his captivating one-hour discourse on the theme of ‘Daiva Sankalpam’ (divine will), which impressed the audience.

Earlier, the proceedings featured an enthralling musical treat, a rendition of ‘Tarangams’ by Narayana Tirtha performed by Ghorakavi Sampath Kumar, followed by a recital of verses composed by the Kopparapu Kavulu such as ‘Nilambujarama Keli Maralamai’ by Alamuru Radhakumari. ‘Bharati Bhushana’ Rambhatla Narasimha Sharma, among others, were present.

Officials launching the book ‘Sri Kopparapu Sodara Kavula Shatavadhana Soundaryam’ at Kalabharathi Auditorium in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday