Andhra Pradesh: Students are mesmerized by the intricacies of mathematics of government teachers

Ongole: 52-year-old government mathematics teacher, Singaraju Venkata Lakshmi Narayana Rao, is going beyond his regular duties and trying to generate enthusiasm for mathematics among school children, students and youth through ‘Mathematics’ skills. ‘Ganita Avadhanam’, a special mathematical show was performed in Prakasam district.

‘Avadhaanam’ is a Telugu literary skill form, performed by language stalwarts well versed in Telugu literature and grammar, demonstrating vast knowledge and ability to solve tasks related to various Telugu language writing methods. In this unique art form, a language expert answers intuitively, enthralling the audience with surprisingly fast, accurate and intelligible responses in a poetic manner without any outside assistance.

SVL Narayana Rao adopted this ‘Avadhanam’ form and transformed it into ‘Ganita Avadhanam’. He transformed Telugu literature with funny and amazing mathematical solutions, attracting both mathematics teachers and students to learn more about mathematics. “Like the ‘Ashta Avadhanam’ programs in Telugu literary art, I started ‘Ganitha Avadhanam’ shows lasting about 2 to 3 hours. I demonstrate 8 to 10 different, fun and extremely difficult mathematical problems from various experts, and provide the correct answers in a poetic manner. Questions include week-day calculations, year calculations, square roots, cube roots, 5th root values, Pythagorean theorem, magic square puzzles and pi value calculations from 21 to 22 decimal,” explained Narayana Rao.

Born in a middle-class family, Narayana Rao developed an early interest in mathematics. His father, Singaraju Sitapati Rao, is also a teacher and his mother, Raghava Rani, is a housewife. His educational background including BSc from Guntur-Hindu College, MSc from Kakinada-Ideal PG College and B.Ed from Rajamahendravaram Government College led him to pursue a career in teaching.

During his youth, he prepared for competitive examinations, focusing on mathematics and benefiting from his earlier practice of Vedic mathematics. Despite many job opportunities, she chose a teaching career and worked as a Mathematics School Assistant at Pedda Golapalli-ZPHS, HM Padu Mandal.

Taking Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan as inspiration, he aimed to encourage students to overcome mathematics fear by using Mathematica Avadhanam. Narayan also said, “I feel very proud and happy about the cooperation and support of my family for my initiative to enhance mathematics teaching.”
In his 26 years of teaching profession, he extended his services beyond school children to local youth and degree/engineering students preparing for competitive exams. He provided free coaching, especially to help students secure Navodaya seats.