Nijaniki Feminijaniki Madhya - Nidadhavolu Malathi Kathalu

This collection of 45 stories by Nidadhavolu Malathi was a random pick from the library. I never heard about either the book or the author before and hence started reading it with certain skepticism. Soon, I got absorbed into the varied themes the stories touched upon and realized that I like the collection. The author dealt with subtle emotions and portrayed the prevalent societal norms and values in the most non-dramatic manner. Some of them depicted NRI lives in USA. This is the first time I encountered that theme in Telugu literature and I found it refreshing.

Also, one important thing that struck me as I read through the stories was that the protagonists were not idealistic; they were normal with their own shortcomings and insecurities. They didn't do great things and didn't often solve their own problems. I felt that the author didn't try to convey any message or tried to solve the characters' issues, which makes these stories an artistic record of the author's astute and fine observations of human behavior. Essentially this characteristic leaves a lot for the readers to think about and reflect on.

Barring a few stories, which didn't appeal to me, the collection makes a decent read. 

Amaravathi Kathalu

I presume Satyam Sankaramanchi's Amaravathi Kathalu needs neither an introduction  nor any specific recommendation. I have had the opportunity to read this classic collection of stories only now and really feel fortunate for being able to do so. These are perhaps the sweetest and the most beautiful stories I've ever read. It's a collection of 100 stories, all based in the sacred town - Amaravathi. Lord Siva and river Krishna comprise the major elements, or rather the under current of all the stories. It's a medley of various emotions and facets of life.

I borrow a few words from the end note by MVL that aptly reflects my thoughts about this work:

Chadivina vaari kallallo krishna ponginchi
gundelo tiyyati manta ragilinche
gaadhasathi amaravathi kathalu

Even though each and every story is exquisite and I enjoyed reading all of them, one has cast a deep impression on my mind. Rendu gangalu: it's a simple story of or rather narration of rejoicing the rain. The simplicity and the beauty of it is just splendid!

Saalabhanjika

Saalabhanjika by Kuppili Padma is a collection of 11 stories which had appeared in various magazines over the period of 1997 to 2001. All the stories portray women - strong and independent, even as they jostle against the circumstances. Loved the writing style. "Athani Kalalu", the first story in the collection, seemed abstract and poetic. It describes the desperation of a woman to seek divorce from her husband. The title story "Saalabhanjika" is about the life of 'escorts'. Other stories too are set in varied backdrops, dealing with the usual aspects such as love, family, marriage, betrayal, and sex.

Each story is different in its own and still has a connecting thread to the rest of the collection. "Saalabhanjika" is a gratifying read.

From Anuradha, With Love

This is a collection of 23 short stories by Ampasayya Naveen. More than a few stories deal with naxalism - how it lures young minds to their doom and how it adversely impacts the common man.A few stories are about the subtle and not so subtle abuse women face and the need to question it and get out of the situation. There are also stories about general married life, which strike a chord or two for many. Bonded labor too gets mentioned in many stories and makes the readers to acknowledge the atrociousness of it. Some stories also talk about the fragile and impermanent relationships between people. All in all, it's an engaging mixed bag.

Mullapoodi Venkataramana Katha Ramaneeyam - 2

This is a real treat. It is a collection of short stories categorized into sections like

• Rasa Ramaneeyam
• Sarasa Ramaneeyam
• Runa Ramaneeyam
• Jana Ramaneeyam
• Lokaabhi Ramaneeyam
• Saradaa Ramaneeyam
• Koutilya Ramaneeyam
• Baala Ramaneeyam.

The wit and wisdom of the author are evident in each and every story. The puns and sarcastic observations are both amusing and enlightening. One can easily perceive the romantic nature of the author by the artful and subtle way he deals with the subjects. The story "Kaanuka" is about Gopanna who strives to make the perfect flute to gift to Lord Krishna through 25 years unable to be satisfied with any of his innumerable outputs. This is  such a beautiful story that I fell in love with it right away. Sarasa Ramaneeyam, where he speaks about love-stricken men and their mostly assumed predicaments and troubles is worth to be marveled about. The wisdom and quips  ingrained in Runa Ramaneeyam demands outright commendation. Not that anything is ground-breaking, what I meant to convey is that you can't help admiring the way the author has laid out things. Did you know that Mullapoodi is the one who created the famous character "Apparao", who lives only on loans, and a special lingo associated with the art of taking loans? It's amazing to read about the apparent talent of such people, albeit in fiction. :-) All the other stories too deserve to be mentioned for their awesomeness.

I read the Volume 1 of Katha Ramaneeyam almost 4 years back. Though I don't remember much of what I read from it, I remember relishing the collection. I guess I enjoyed Volume 2 more but it may be only because I evolved more as a reader since back then and not because that Volume 1 was any less appealing.

Vishalandhra Publishing House

Price: Rs. 150

Hamsaavali

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.

Oka Hijra Katha

This is a collection of 8 stories translated from Urdu and Hindi by Paravastu Lokeswar. Of the eight, three are by Khushwant Singh, all historical works depicting 19th and pre-19th century Delhi. The other works are by Ismat Chugtai, Qurratulain Hyder, Kamala Das, Abdul Jabbaar, and Kishan Chander, which dealt with different topics. The stories are all very interesting and the translation of Lokeswar ensures that the collection is a great read. The translation is good and natural.

My favorites from this collection include:

• Gruha Nirmata by Ismat Chugtai (I've read her before in another collection and with this story, I've taken a special liking to her work)
• Paruvu - Prathista by Qurratulain Hyder
• Meet Taki Meer by Khushwant Singh (This is the life story of a renowned Urdu poet of 17th and 18th centuries)

The title story "Oka Hijra Katha" by Abdul Jabbaar is also good.


Publishers: Gandhi Prachuranalu
Price: Rs. 50

Amma Ki Aadivaaram Ledaa?

This is a collection of 52 stories by Ranganaayakamma. Like her novels, I loved this book too. Reading her is like education. She strives to bring clarity between the good and the bad in her stories and characters. She doesn't like to be ambiguous about such things like some others do and it's such a relief.

I'm really surprised, rather pleasantly, to read about how she makes changes and improves her works in subsequent editions depending on how her own opinions change owing to greater knowledge and expereince. I wonder how many authors do this kind of exercise.

In these stories I got the taste of her sarcasm and also humor apart from her usual style. Notable sarcastic/ humorous stories include - Pellaniki Premalekha - which tells that a wife expects to be loved by her husband, not just needed; Kanipinchutaledu - funny naration by a husband of a "muggu" addict wife; Pelli chesesaam - about people who regards acceptance to social norms is the only way to live; Kutra - very fuuny account of how revolutionists are conspiring against people by writing their literature in a wrong and complex language.  There are also many stories which make us think and learn something. But I assure you that they are equally or even more entertaining.

I'm very much impressed by her feminist ideas and also her principled nature. She is a marxist and one can find more than a few stories in this collection in which she expresses those ideas. She believes that marxism is the only knowledge worth enough to know, the dearth of which makes lives worthless. According to her (marxism), accumulation of wealth is a crime. If there is wealth, it comes only by exploiting others. When a landlord sits at home, has servants to do the work both in the house and the land, he is just exploiting them. I'm not sure I agree with all this. Or it might just mean my ignorance about the valuable marxism and am in a hopeless state.

Seela Veerraju Kathalu

I just finished reading a collection of short stories by Seela Veerraju. I’m still reveling those wonderful stories. These are by far the best stories I’ve ever read. I loved the author’s beautiful descriptions of nature and beauty. I never read anything so enthralling before. The characters and the plots stay with you long after you’ve finished reading them. The language was delectable and the simplicity and depth of the stories captivated me. I really am neither able to express how much I liked the collection nor what joy I felt reading those stories. It’s pure joy of experiencing fine talent.

I’m grateful to my grandpa who kindly lent me the book and thus introduced me to this amazing literary work. I was thrilled to note that it’s a signature copy. I later discovered that the author had been a personal acquaintance of my grandfather,and I was like “wow!”.

“Seela Veerraju Kathalu” would remain one of my all-time favorites. This book includes 34 stories.

Urban Shots

Urban Shots is a collection of 29 short stories by 13 authors put together by Paritosh Uttam. As the title implies, these stories are set in urban cities and are about relationships, love, friendship, angst and longing. Besides being interesting and engaging, these stories evoke various emotions in one's heart. This is at once both a light and in-depth read. These stories reflect the present life style and provide an insight into the lives of people.

It is priced at Rs.145, which makes it all the more attractive. :-) I got this from flipkart.com at an awesome price of Rs. 100 after discount. And free shipping too! So, what are you waiting for? Go and grab your copy asap. It's worth it all.

Telugu Short Stories

It has always been my pleasure to read Telugu literature. I especially like the short stories in the magazines. I feel that they reflect the current values and society in general. The story in Eenadu's weekly magazine is my all-time favorite. I'm amazed by how the the quality of the stories is maintained over the decades.

I also don't miss any opportunity to read more stories from any of the leading weekly or monthly magazines. One of the Eenadu group's many contributions is Vipula, which presents stories translated from different languages in India and abroad. It gives varied exposure to different forms of writing and different social and cultural values. I also used to love the jokes, which were usually present on almost all pages. Not sure, if the magazine still includes them or not.

In my opinion all these stories in various magazines are much more closer to real life than any other form of fiction.

Enjoy:
Eenadu Sunday Story
One of the Vipula Stories