He Is Just 24 Years Old and His Poems Are Taught in Universities!

Ramesh Karthik Nayak had a flair for writing and he worked as a steward at catering events to help pay for the publication of his books. The 24-year-old Banjara poet and writer has been penning articles on Banjara communities' culture and way of life, with a touch of fiction.  Ramesh Karthik wrote several works, one of them being Baldair Bandi (bullock cart). The book, which describes the indigenous community of the Banjara or Lambadi in detail, has just been added to the Andhra University curriculum. It was also introduced as the third lesson in the second unit of the fourth semester for MA Telugu Language and Literature. The Telugu literary course at the SR&BGNR Government Degree College, Khammam, Kakatiya University includes a poem from the book "Jarer Bati" (Sorghum Roti). Born to farmer parents in the tiny hamlet of Nizamabad, Ramesh was encouraged by his teacher to try his hand at writing. When he faced financial limitations to publish his books, he worked as a steward at catering events. Ramesh explained that there was an unbreakable bond between the bullock cart and Lambadis when asked why the book was called "Baldair Bandi." The book was published in 2018 and placed on a shortlist for the Kendra Sahitya Academy Yuva Puraskar in 2021. Along with "Baldair Bandi," Ramesh's other book, "Dhavlo," a collection of Telugu-language Gor Banjara short stories, was also nominated for the same award in 2022.