Written at least a few decades earlier, this set of short stories by Pulicherla Subbarao reflect the sentiments and values of those times. I couldn't help observing that at least a few stories are old-fashioned in terms of the subject matter. Not that the inherent sentiments and emotions don't hold true now, but the sheer fact that we've read in literature, watched on screen, and even observed in our lives a lot about an ungrateful son ignoring his parents in their old age, a wealthy brother ill-treating his less fortune sibling, relatives abusing the orphaned kid etc. made these stories seem common. Moreover, the tragedy involved in almost all the stories wrung my heart so much that I couldn't bear it.
I couldn't help reacting to some of the sentiments described in a couple of stories though. An excerpt:
"Inke mundannayya! Mana vamseekulu ika talettuku tiragaleru. Daani pelli kaavatam alaa unchu. Ika Suguna batiki maatram em laabham? Appude chachi poyinaa baagundedi."
These are the feelings of the cousin of the rape victim. I don't want to get started on this but the stupidity, unfairness of it all makes my blood boil. In the end, the family and the society succeeds in killing the girl - she commits suicide.
I agree that society thinks like this, but the author made no attempt to let the readers realize that this is atrocious and unfair.
Another example is about the dowry issue. The story is about the inner struggle of and burden felt by a father, who is unable to marry his daughter off due to lack of enough money. The dominant sentiment in this story is - a girl not married at proper age is doomed. But the author did better for this story by making the girl stand up for herself and her family.
The writing and narration are good and the 15 stories cover varied aspects of society. This collection makes a good read for Telugu short story lovers. Despite all, there is no doubt it's a good literary treat.
