Hyderabad: Writer and Shatavadhani Rallabandi Kavita Prasad, a top officer wth the state government, died on Sunday at a hospital in the city. He had been hospitalised on February 24 following a heart attack and was on ventilator.

Very strong in traditional poetry, he wrote several books including Avadhana Vidya, Ontari Poolabutta, Padya Mandapam, Agni Hamsa, Idi Kavi Samayam, Saptagiridhama etc. He was a good speaker as well.

Prasad was among the few Telugu writers who were adept in avadhanam, a Telugu special literary art. Avadhanam involves the partial improvisation of poems using specific themes, forms, or words. The avadhani is well versed in observation, memory, multitasking, task switching, retrieval, reasoning and creativity. This he does with the help of literature, poetry, music, mathematical calculations, puzzle solving among others.