Ramesh Karthik, who used to work as a butler at catering events to earn money for his book, has been writing about the culture and lifestyle of the Bangara community, with some fictional additions .
UPDATE – 10:25 PM, Sunday – 12/11/22
Nizamabad: 24-year-old Banjara poet and author Ramesh Karthik Nayak is no ordinary young poet. At this age, some of his poems have become part of some university courses.
Ramesh Karthik, who used to work as a butler at catering events to earn money for his book, has been writing about the culture and lifestyle of the Bangara community, with some fictional additions .
“Baldair Bandi” (Ox Cart) is one of the books written by Ramesh Karthik. The book, which tells the often hidden life of the Banjara or Lambadi tribal community, was recently introduced into the Andhra University syllabus.
Lesson 3 of Unit 2 of 4th Semester 4 of MA Telugu Language introduces the collection of poems “Baldair Bandi”.
One of the poems in the book “Jarer Bati” (Sorghum Roti) is being taught at the SR&BGNR Government Degree College, Khammam, Kakatiya University as part of a Telugu literature course.
Published in 2018, the book was also shortlisted for Kendra Sahitya Academy Yuva Puraskar 2021. Apart from ‘Baldair Bandi’, Ramesh’s other book ‘Dhavlo’ (a collection of Gor Banjara’s short stories in Telugu) has also been shortlisted for the same award 2022.
Ramesh Karthik shared his journey with Telangana Today, saying his book is being introduced in university syllabi. Writers in the Banjara community have written about the history of Lambadas and the issues facing the community, but few have written about the community’s culture and way of life, he said.
The journey was not so smooth. He initially failed to find a publisher for “Baldair Bandi” due to lack of money. That’s when he started working as a butler at catering events. He managed to publish 20 books, and gradually, more came out.
When asked why the book was titled “Baldair Bandi,” he said there was an unbreakable bond between bullock carts and lambardis.
‘it’s present in their lives, migrations and celebrations. In ‘Baldair Bandi’ I’ve highlighted the beautiful, sad and untold stories of the city that come from thanda,” he said.
Ramesh Karthik’s parents, Nunavath Sevantha and Mojiram, were born in Jakranpally thanda, a small village along National Road 44 in Nizamabad. He used to paint when he was a student at Sri Vijaya Sai High School in Bodhan before his Telugu teacher encouraged him to write poetry. He hasn’t looked back since.
