At 84, retired professor makes Ramayana accessible to young Telugu readers

An 84-year-old retired professor has taken on the task of making the Ramayana accessible to young readers. Nikku Appanna, who spent nearly 35 years teaching botany at Loyola College in Vijayawada, has authored 'Naa Ramudu', a simplified Telugu version of the epic.

The book aims to bridge the gap between children and the original Valmiki Ramayanam, which comprises 24,000 verses across seven kandas. Appanna, a native of Buditi village in Srikakulam district, began work on the project two years ago and completed it in August 2026.

Appanna believes that the values and ethics embodied by Lord Rama, who endured 14 years of exile, can guide the younger generation toward a righteous path. He noted that children are naturally curious about the epic, and his simplified narrative covers key episodes, including Sita's abduction by Ravana and Rama's subsequent battle strategy with the support of Hanuman.

Beyond this latest work, Appanna has authored several other books, including 'Bhava Tarangini', 'Geya Sudhabinduvulu', 'Vyasa Manjari', and 'Naa Janmabhoomi-Buditi'. His literary efforts have drawn praise from former Srikakulam MLA Gunda Lakshmi Devi, who remarked that age is no barrier to meaningful achievement. Indian Red Cross Society Chairman P. Jagan Mohana Rao highlighted Appanna's continued service as a managing committee member of the organisation.