Telugu Short Story Anthology

AMERIKAA TELUGU KATHAANIKA: Pemmaraju Venugopala Rao and Vanguri Chittenraju — Editors; Published by the Vanguri Foundation of America, Indraganti Srikanta Sarma, Hon. Editor in India. Copies can be had from Vahini Book Trust, Vidyanagar, Hyderabad-500044. Visalandhara Book House, Hyderabad and Navodaya Book House, Near Arya Samaj Mandir, Badi Chavadi, Hyderabad. Rs. 150.

IN ITS nearly century-long history, Telugu short story has travelled a long way transcending in scope, theme and canvas from its original kitchen, farm and factory circle to the global level.

This is a significant and welcome development, a sequel to globalisation of human life in recent history.

This anthology underscores the new development. Edited by two eminent writers of repute, this volume, the 8th in the series, contains 21 stories of authors, all domiciled in the U.S. They include popular writers like Chittenraju, K.V.S. Rama Rao, Kanneganti Chandra, Cherukuri Rama Devi, Satyam Mandapati, Vemuri Venkataeswara Rao, Kalasapudi Srinivasa Rao, Vijaya Sree among others.

Except a few ones, all other stories have an international canvas. The collection broadly reflects the ecstasies and agonies of the non-resident Indian (NRI) families.

While the plentiful opportunities to enrich their lives in a foreign land bring happiness, their worries about their wards cause trepidation.

The NRI youth tend to discard the long cherished Telugu traditions, customs and their mother tongue.

In fact, these fears among the NRIs have prompted social organisations like the World Telugu Federation to take up the cause and strive to preserve, promote and perpetuate the age-old ethos of the Telugu heritage.

As observed by the eminent writer and critic, Srikanta Sarma in his illuminating preface, writings of the NRIs have come of age. From the personal approach they have progressed to theme-based presentation.

Another salient feature is that they have not lost their touch with the nuances of Telugu language and literature. A commendable effort.

Courtesy: The Hindu