Prof. Sikhamani, Pseudonym of K. SanjeevaRao, Professor of Comparative Studies, Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad. He champions the cause of the underdogs and dalits. His poetry is remarkable for its forthright expression and humanistic outlook. He has published several volumes of poetry besides illuminating criticism on various aspects of literature. His volumes of literary criticism define Aesthetics of Dalit Literature. His poetry has been translated into English, Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam. He received many awards and honours, the most significant among them are Free Verse Front award and Telugu University Literary Award. Editor of Kavisandhya, a bi-monthly Telugu literary magazine.