Father May Be an Elephant and Mother Only a Small Basket, But...

by Gogu Shyamala

Gogu Shyamala’s stories dissolve borders as they work their magic on orthodox forms of realism, psychic allegory and political fable. Whether she is describing the setting sun or the way people are gathered at a village council like ‘thickly strewn grain on the threshing floor’, the varied rhythms of a dalit drum or a young woman astride her favorite buffalo, Shyamala walks us through a world that is at once particular and small, and simultaneously universal.

Set in the madiga quarter of a Telangana village, the stories spotlight different settings, events and experiences, and offer new propositions on how to see, think and be touched by life in that world. There is a laugh lurking around every other corner as the narrative picks an adroit step past the grandiose authority of earlier versions of such places and their people—romantic, gandhian, administrative—and the idiom in which they spoke. These stories overturn the usual agendas of exit—from the village, from madiga culture, from these little communities—to hold this life up as one of promise for everyone.

With her intensely beautiful and sharply political writing, Shyamala makes a clean break with the tales of oppression and misery decreed the true subject of dalit writing.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, India, Asia, Feminism, Indian Literature, Translated Fiction

263 pages, Hardcover

First published January 6, 2012

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid collection from Tilted Axis, perfect for those interested in exploring the work of Gogu Shyamala. Shyamala is a renowned Telugu writer and activist prominent in Dalit feminist circles. Shyamala's work has been translated by a number of writers with, I believe, nine different translators represented in this volume. I'll admit to struggling with this in places - the stories themselves didn't hold much interest for me as literature and I'm not sure the collection expanded my understanding of life for those of lower caste status in a South Indian village. I’ve seen these described as slice of life stories, which sounds about right. But where this collection shines is with Tilted Axis's editorial hand: the volume contains a robust glossary of Telugu words used in the work (Shyamala wrote primarily in the Tandur variant, many words of which were wisely left untranslated in the text), a helpful note on the translation, and an excellent essay by the always insightful scholar K. Lalita. This did spur me on to engage with Dalit feminist work online, which was/is fascinating, but truthfully it was other writers that held my interest rather than Shyamala's fiction.

[Smriti · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a book that grows on you. the first few short stories, you're just kind of figuring stuff out and then these characters and their thoughts, inner and outer turmoils come in and it's just so captivating. as a person who hasn't read too many books that are set in rural india AND written by someone who grew up there, it was so insightful to inhibit that space.

all the translators talk about how different gogu shyamala's writing is and how the language is so different from regular telugu and while the translation does show it to a certain extent, i truly wish i could read the original language to understand the difference even more.

would recommend. 4.5 stars.

[Areeb Ahmad (Bankrupt_Bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Her stories, written in Telugu and then translated into English by various individuals, are cut from the fabric of her own life. The best way to describe them would be slice-of-life vignettes. The reader is accorded the privilege to have a small glimpse into the lives of a vibrant cast of characters, a window into village life. Shyamala extends an open invitation to a previously unknown world where the personal is mapped onto the public. Her characters share a bright camaraderie with each other which is instantly infectious."

You can now read the full-length long-form review on The Book Slut

[Pragati · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of short stories or little stories, like the back cover puts it. It's an interesting read in the sense that it doesn't provide stories of oppression and discrimination in the usual gloomy way. It provides insight into the lives of these beautiful people, who had fun despite harsh surrounding, stood up against the village when need be, or just carrying on the best they can when faced with problems.

[Rendezvouswithbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

#telugutranslation

Remember how a few days back I talked about reading 10 stories of oppression for 1 of progression
But how about a case where you find 12 stories, each of which starts with a varied form of oppression on women or ones of lower caste, but how they transform those drawbacks into progression
A fine reminder of how a life of struggle always find ways to outshine

The titular story highlights domestic violence on the provider of a family. The powerful end collectively transforms the voices of women into a thunder

'Trace it' shows how lively caste of Drummers is. How birth & death is celebrated with equal pomp & show

'Braveheart Badeya' is a heartening story about a child's love for his mother which is free of societal boundaries & fear of Caste system

4th story gives voice to a Baindla woman & her struggles. Her fierce battle for her lands is so inspiring

'Jambava's lineage' is such a rich story, which brings to the forefront the expertise of arts, madiga caste possessed. Absolutely delightful story which asks to see positives in the world full of negativities

'Tataki wins again' is one of my favourite, where Tataki with her grit, fights her abuser for her father's & her dignity. Atta Girl!

7th & 8th story look into how deeply casteism was embedded in the day today life of people, so much so that education system could not escape it's fangs. How education alone cannot remove Ignorance, without the help of Knowledge

'Raw wound' hits hard, highlights the extreme abuse faced by a Bindala caste father as he chose to educate his daughter rather then relenting to the pressure of making her a 'jogini' (girl traditionally dedicated to the village gods & henceforth exploited). The beautiful ending of the story had me in chokehold

10th story talks about how with time children change but a mother remains the same

'The bottom of the well' is the most fun & fav story which shows how our experiences make us creatively rich

The last story is the longest one of the collection & brings the most interesting connotation to the collection

9 different translators bring in beautiful microscopic view into the everyday life of these real fighters

Read It


Quotes


"To fight them, we need caste, power and land. We have neither the caste nor the power. If we have to gain that power, caste has to go."

"I am born in the caste that makes slippers for everybody, but my own feet are left bare"

"It's a smartness that grows out of their rich experience...

"Why is it that town children, despite being educated lack this kind of creativity and practical knowledge?....

I think the environment into which one is born, and the kind of life one leads, determines one's creativity and talents"

[Stacia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one I started a few months ago, then set aside when I was having a lot of trouble reading (in general). It took me a few stories to get into the rhythm & style of storytelling (& it helped immensely when I realized there's a glossary) & I ultimately found this to be a compelling collection of somewhat intertwined stories of village life among the lower castes. I'm really pleased I got this one to expand my reading horizons as it did exactly that. Lovely cover art too. I've read only a couple of books from Tilted Axis Press but I am impressed with their choices.

Read for Women in Translation Month. Dalit ("untouchable") feminist stories, trans. from the Tegulu (a Dravidian language used in some parts of southern India).

[Shahina · Rating 4 out of 5]

LChatty like a thriving forest, vibrant, and feisty. Set in rural Telangana these stories bring alive the daily lives of an untold about people. They are oddly beautiful and sensitive and lead with a feminist streak. Yet horror looms and lurks with a regularity that is unsettling. Despite the darkness these are stories of hope, dignity and surreal strength told in a near mesmerising manner.
The narrative is a bit difficult to adjust to in the beginning but soon the cadence will feel oddly familiar. The chatter in the narrative, the banter, the acerbic wit, the wickedly funny songs that women working together break into - these tapped into early and sometimes passed on memories from mothers, grandmothers from times spent in smaller towns and villages. While there is so much to be charmed by, the cruelty that communities ordained to be "untouchable" have to overcome is gut wrenching.
Read it to get acquainted with spunky Tataki, the brave and beautiful Ellamma - the herder girl who doesn't give much thought before tying her hair up in a knot and riding astride her favorite buffalo to rush into the tank and save a drowning boy or the feisty Saayamma who won't be quietened.

[Dheeraj Dubey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brings everyday reality of caste in rural Telangana to the fore. It brought a lot of perspective for me. The stories keep getting intense as you move towards the end. I also like the glossary of terms given at the end of book.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I had a hard time to get into this collection, mainly because of the jolty writing style, but also because these stories take place in a world, I absolutely have no knowledge about. But that is also the main reason I liked it in the end, because it taught me so much about life in an Indian village, the community people are affected by and living in an inhuman cast system.

I did this as a buddy read with Shawn Mooney (Shawn the Book Maniac on YouTube) and that was a great experience, because this books gains from discussion.

[Rohit Ramakrishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine example of dalit feminist literature. It breaks away from the conventional literary models and makes you stare at the stark reality of caste that exists in India. The stories set in rural Andhra (now Telengana) depicts from a feminist perspective, how caste is an everyday reality and how it turns the daily life a living hell for dalits and how they put up the fight to survive. May not be everyone’s cup of tea.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t a collection is would have picked up nor even heard of if not for a women in translation project with some of my best book pals. Translated from the Telugu, this collection really paints a picture of the rural, impoverished life of the Dalit culture and rigid caste system. There is a helpful/informational glossary in the back that I referred to very often. The translators note and other information at the back of the Tilted Axis version was also very helpful for context and explanation of this rarely-translated language. Though I won’t likely remember the specifics and names of the stories, I will remember the dusty and hot atmosphere of the villages in which these stories were set, and the burdens put on the women of the villages and families to keep everything going. Some things are universal!

[Laiqah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories is a real gem! Initially I found it quite difficult to get into but this was very much a me problem. It was partly to do with the translation being from Telugu which I wasn’t used to, and I was not aware there was an excellent glossary at the back. The tempo of the writing also took some getting used to. However, once I picked it up again this year I realised the value of Shyamala’s subtle storytelling.

The writing is simple and straightforward, but expressive. The stories centre the lived experiences of Dalit ‘untouchable’ characters, including those of women and children. The stories demonstrate resistance to caste-based discrimination, eloquently displaying the cruel and layered institution of untouchability. The stories provide insight, do not trivialise, and are refreshing in the way they demonstrate injustice without leaning on violence and trauma. I felt incredibly lucky to learn from the stories, especially where the focus was on childhood.

Overall, the collection is well-translated and feels cohesive. The stories aren’t long, nor are they too ambitious in the range of topics covered. They flow into each other against the backdrop of rural Southern India.

I highly recommend this collection.

Find more of my reviews here: https://www.instagram.com/neverreading/

[Ayu Ratna Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of short stories tell the life of dalit people of India, specifically in Telangana, South India. Dalit is name for people belonging to the lowest stratum castes, previously characterised as "untouchable". The impure status was related to their historic hereditary occupations that castes hindus condsidered to be polluting or debased, such as working with leathers, disposing of dead animals, manual scavenging or sanitation work.The publisher described this book as dalit feminist stories, but in my opinion shyamala stories covered more important issues than only about women.

This is my first time reading dalit stories and it's really shocking to know the discrimination that they faced in everyday life from the upper castes. In 'A Beauteous Light", a brahman boy drowned in a well was saved by a girl and later by her people from madiga caste. This boy is considered polluted therefore have to be purified through the shuddhi karma before his parents or village people can touch him.

In 'Raw Wound', the upper caste force a madiga family to turn their only daughter into a Jogini. A Jogini is a woman who is dedicated to temple service and who is declared as (sexual) property of the whole village, a practise that is prohibited by Indian law.

That two stories is remarkable and eye opening, but other stories are also as good. Shymala stories is strong, loud, and important. There are many difficult words but they provide glossary in the end of the book. The cover is also very beautiful. I'm really recommend everyone to read this book.

Thank you Transit Santa for bringing this book to me!

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gogu Shyamala is a noted Dalit academician, gender rights advocate and writer. Born into a family of agricultural labourers in Telangana, she is the only one of three siblings who escaped being forced into bonded labour and managed to obtain higher education. The intriguingly named “Father May Be An Elephant And Mother Only A Small Basket, But...” is collection of short stories translated from Telugu by various translators.
Perhaps it would not be right to call them short stories- they are slice of life vignettes, which invite you into the world of the Madiga community in rural Telangana. Most of the stories are told from the perspective of children, adolescents or youth, and though the stories may not be autobiographical, it is clear that they are based on what the writer experienced as a young girl before being sent off to a boarding school to study. Each of the stories show how deeply entrenched the caste system is, and of how families live in constant fear of reprisals from the upper caste reddys and velamas if they are displeased in any way. Yet, the stories are not about gloom and oppression; Shyamala describes the games people play, the songs they sing and ways they snatch joy from everyday living.
The stories which spoke of Ellamma brought out the many aspects of the goddess. The upper caste people refer to Ellamma as ‘their goddess’ (‘their’ implying she belongs to the Dalits). Yet, they believe that Ellamma brings them good fortune-
Everyone in the village believes that Ellamma’s hands, her feet and her words, all possess the gift of good fortune. Even people from the next village say the same thing. No upper caste woman has this gift. When a girl comes of age or gets married, her relatives call Ellamma and fill her lap with grain and fruit.
But though the practice has now been outlawed, Ellamma could also be considered the property of the village, and in one story, a family is willing to face the wrath and violence of the upper caste in order to protect their daughter from being made an “Ellamma”. Nothing is as it seems, and the only thing that remains constant is how the caste system continues to be imposed despite it being outlawed.
Perhaps my favourite story was the one where the narrator was the water tank. Environmentalists write about how traditional patters of land and water use conserved natural resources, and of the danger of interfering with them in the name of development. Shorn of jargon, the story said exactly the same thing!
It is hard to read the book and not come away with a deeper understanding of the life lived by Dalits in rural Telangana. The translations may not capture the nuances of the Telugu dialect used by the writer, but they do capture the people and places.
I read the book during #DalitHistoryMonth, soon after meeting Gogu Shyamala at an event and being blown away by her understated power and charm. I am also including this collection of short stories as a part of my #ReadingThroughIndia challenge.

[Raji · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my Telangana read for my #ReadingIndia challenge.

I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. These are stories of dalit men and women and children in rural Telangana, and as many reviewers have pointed out, the detail makes it clear that they are born of intimate knowledge of this world. Shyamala’s family worked as bonded labour and scoured leftover grain to glean food, all while ensuring that she had a chance at education.

These stories are beautiful because dalit suffering while evident is not the focus. The stories chronicle day-to-day lives and are beautiful canvases that leave lasting images on the mind: a young girl who reaches only up to her mother’s waist embracing her as she returns from the field, both drenched in the rain; a game where a blindfolded man uses the beat of his friend’s drum to locate a ring that has been hidden; Saayamma pounding her fist on a table to assert her right to land; Ellamma astride an almost ‘otherworldly’ buffalo. I remember smiling a lot through these tales although they do not shy away from documenting the many ways in which upper castes oppress those that they deem inferior and untouchable.

The stories also show how people forced to confine themselves to agricultural labour on land often owned by others have evolved ways and means to live in harmony with their surroundings, who are good at what they do, and as acknowledged in the last story are near indispensable and who will make room even for brahmins shunned by their own.

Although different translators have worked on this collection, the style remains fluid and Shyamala’s skill as a storyteller shines through. This must have been particularly challenging given that Shyamala ‘uses a variant of Telugu used by dalits in the Tandur region of western Telangana’. The stories were immersive, emotive experiences, filled with action, even if the action was only the routine of day to day. I enjoyed the rhythm of these stories as much as I enjoyed the images.

[ClareT · Rating 3 out of 5]

I echo what another reviewer, Amelia, said - it was difficult to get into because it is quite a strange writing style (or maybe translation) and it is a world I know nothing about.
I have only given this book 3 stars, but, I will read it again, and I expect I will increase that rating. The problem I had with the book is that for the first few stories, not only did I not really understand the context, but they seemed to be stories about nothing, with no real point, and no ending. However, as the collection went on, the stories have some similarities and some links in terms of the beliefs and customs of the villagers.
The book does include some notes at the back, a glossary almost, to help navigate the characters and setting, but that also breaks up the book if you are flipping back and forward. The flow and pace also takes some getting used to, but by the end of the book I was really enjoying the stories, and feeling as though I was getting a better idea of the settings and the characters.

Another good book from Tilted Axis, but definitely one to reread.

[Dolf van der Haven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wins the prize for the best cover design.
The stories are tough to get into, partially due to a lot of untranslated Telugu words. There is a glossary at the end of the book, but not all words are translated there.
Once you get into the style of the stories, the going gets lighter and there are some enjoyable stories in there. Especially the last, longer one covers the overall theme verybwell: the conflict between the very lowest castes and the upper castes. Apparently this issue still exists, so many years after the caste system has been abolished (on paper) in India.

[Plainqoma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lower caste versus higher caste. It’s hard to get into this as it contains a huge number of untranslated Telugu words, albeit there’s a glossary, but when you get into it, it’s pretty captivating and engaging to follow through the story and the characters.

Taking inspiration from the author's childhood memories and background, she weaved it into such a riveting story.

I am always fascinated with other people's cultures in different parts of the world and this book is just right up my alley.

[Shastri Akella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I've seen fiction in my mother tongue (Telugu), translated into English. A huge shoutout to Tilted Axis who were also the first to publish this year's International Booker winner.

Gogu Shyamala and her translators also do the important work of bringing Dalit literature to a wider audience.

I liked all of the stories, but these are my favorites, and I look forward to rereading and teach them: A Beauteous Light (SO brilliant), Braveheart Badeyya, Tataki Wins Again, Raw Wound, Elamma is Distressed

Highly recommended collection!

[Akankshya · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful collection of short stories that takes one to the Dalit worlds of Telangana. There is a magical quality to these tales of feminist assertion, music, brave children, dignity & labour.

One also learns a lot about how Dalit communities like the Madiga historically see themselves, hold their own distinctive and bold myths of origin & how these cultural landscapes are different from the hierarchical and oppressive practices of the Savarnas.

I wish I could spend more time suspended in these stories.

[esha · Rating 3 out of 5]

it’s really eye opening to see the critiques on the caste system and reevaluate it from an outside perspective that’s not just western. the short stories were nice if u wanted a non serious but serious read but i wanted a storyline following thru so maybe i wasn’t as invested as i thought, other than that it was really nice to learn about telegu culture and more of religion and hierarchy and family too. will be looking and researching into gogu shyamalas philosophy and poetry for sure

[Bindu Reddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare view into the rural landscapes of Telangana, from the pov of marginalised communities. And each protagonist is a power against the inequalities in the social fabric of the society. Immensely powerful, I am assuming, just like the writer herself.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

some of these stories were so interesting & very well done and others I fear were slightly lost in translation as they were a bit dull. learnt so much about caste dynamics though which I loved

[Dana]

DNF page 43. I wanted to like this but after 2 stories, I don't think it is for me.

[Krishna Srinivasan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stopped 1/2 way. As anthropology, sociology, even politics, the book has immense value; as literature not so much. Still, important and an excellent translation.

[Sophie Karlsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book is a truly remarkable piece published by Tilted Axis, a publishing company dedicated to translation Asian novels that would otherwise maybe never have been give the opportunity. It is translated from Telugu, and the foreword explains in detail how this process was undertaken. The stories are all written by Gogy Shyamala, but every short story is translated by a different author, each one on their own trying to preserve the sometimes vernacular dialect the stories are written in, and not interpret them as a Telugu scholar would. I have never before paid much attention to translation, but here you can really feel that every story has a slightly different tone to them.

For those who have read and loved 𝘔𝘺 𝘗𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘉𝘪𝘳𝘥, which is also amazing by the way, this book bears similarities. They both depict rural and local life and don't shy away from life's struggles, and both feel so real I'd rather shelve them as nonfiction, even though they are fictional. I'd gladly reread it at some point, to savour the stories again.

[konradson · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Father may be an elephant, and mother only a small basket, but..." is such an intriguing title, I had to read this book by Indian author Gogu Shyamala!

She is born into the Dalit caste, known as the lowest caste in Indian society, also named "untouchables". Shyamala is a fighter and activist and writes in her stories about Dalit life (between the lines) about discrimination against her community.

I learned a lot from this.