Garikipati Narasimha Rao is an Indian scholar, litterateur, and avadhani from Andhra Pradesh.

He also delivers lectures on personality development based on dharmic culture and way of life.

Rao married his second wife Sarada who is 30 years younger to him and she is from Amalapuram, East Godavari.

Avadhanis are respected for their abilities to spin out verses conforming to Telugu grammar on literally any subject that audience may throw at them, as a challenge.

Rao is known for his Dhāraṇā (memorising and reciting), which is a key requirement for performing Avadhanams.