Telugu Women writers-21 -Nidadvolu Malathi The novel, Son of the Soil, published in 1972, supposedly depicts the collapse of zamindari families.[1] The rich landowners were losing their hold on the land, urban life was luring villagers to cities, and the old values were changing fast. Sambayya, who dedicated his entire life to his land, is […]
Continue ReadingTelugu Women writers-20 -Nidadvolu Malathi Vasundhara Devi’s long story, “Penjeekatikavvala” [Beyond the Dense Darkness] received critical acclaim for its profound discourse on life and death. The story opens with a brief description of a location in the city, where the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ lived side by side. For all the wealth and the amenities Jayalakshmi, […]
Continue ReadingTelugu Women writers-19 -Nidadvolu Malathi The story, “Bhayam”, [Fear of Death] by Tangirala Meera Subrahmanyam throws light on the kind of irrational fears we entertain. It illustrates the unfounded fear of death people experience. It is not a philosophical catechism on death. The author depicts the fear or anxiety that the sight of a dead […]
Continue ReadingTelugu Women writers-18 -Nidadvolu Malathi The story “Manchudebba” (Frostbite) addressed one of the very rarely mentioned taboos in society,namely, marriage under false pretenses to hide a man’s impotence. The story opens with Kalyani, a young woman, visiting her grandmother in a small village. She is bored. While on terrace just to pass time, she spots […]
Continue ReadingTelugu Women writers-17 -Nidadvolu Malathi Synopsis: Kannamma was a working class woman. After her husband had left her and her baby for another woman, she was looking for work to make a living. She took several odd jobs, but each time, she found herself cornered. Every man she had come across assaulted her or made […]
Continue ReadingTelugu Women writers-16 -Nidadvolu Malathi One story illustrating the woman’s awareness, just awareness only, is “Eduru Chusina Muhurtam” [The Long Awaited Moment] by P. Saraladevi. The story illustrates woman’s perception of how she was being ignored by her family members. At the age of six, little Durga started looking around and wanting the things she […]
Continue ReadingTelugu Women writers-15 -Nidadvolu Malathi 3. THEMES In the preceding chapter, we have noted how Telugu women writers moved away from bhakti tradition of self-effacing to the awareness of self (identity) following the nationalist and social movements. It is important to note that the original intent of the social reformers and educationists was not instilling […]
Continue ReadingTelugu Women writers-14 -Nidadvolu Malathi Use of Pseudonyms Use of pseudonyms in the latter half of the twentieth century requires special mention. Unlike in the United States and Great Britain, Telugu women writers did not use male pseudonyms. Those who used pseudonyms picked only female names. For example, Aravinda (A.S. Mani), Syamala Rani (Akella Kamala […]
Continue ReadingTelugu Women writers-13 -Nidadvolu Malathi The reviewer also noted that a reader from the audience sent a note to the podium in the form of a poem, “Oh voyagers! Bring our women writers down to the earth,” implying women writers were writing unrealistic stories. Lata said in response, “Why don’t you look up and acknowledge […]
Continue ReadingTelugu Women writers-12 -Nidadvolu Malathi Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi The state government formed Sahitya Akademi [a literary organization] in 1957. One of the functions of Akademi was announcing awards annually to the best works in several categories. In 1976, the Akademi announced awards for works in various literary genres as usual but excluded fiction from […]
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