Telugu: The Best Stories of Our Times

by Volga (Editor), Alladi Uma (Translator), M. Sridhar (Translator)

TELUGU, edited by Volga, offers to readers a kaleidoscopic vision of the current literary landscape by bringing together the sharpest practitioners writing today. The stories highlight the numerous histories and identities that the writers have been celebrating or challenging in the last three decades. Appearing in English for the first time, these landmark stories form an exhilarating glimpse into contemporary Telugu literature.

353 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Popuri Lalita Kumari, popularly known by her pen name Volga, is Telugu poet and writer well known for her feminist perspective. She was born in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India. She won the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 2015 for her short story compilation 'Vimukta Kadha Samputi' in Telugu. Along with being a writer, she has also been a professor and head of scripting division in Tollywood. Her work initiated debates across the country about feminism, in times when the idea was hardly accepted. The Library of Congress has a collection of her most popular published works, including the English translations of selected short stories.

Reviews

[Nandini Reddy Dayal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The moment I saw who the editor was, it was an absolute no brainer, I had to read this book. Volga is a writer whose perspective I have always admired. The selection of stories in this one is awe inspiring. My Telugu reading skills are not nuanced enough to understand these stories in the original language but I was glad I got to read the translation.

Every story is hand-picked and leaves an impression. There are stories about social injustices and personal injustices that people face everyday. The depth of understanding of each writer and expressive manner in which they portray emotions and the strength of people, is what makes every story extra special.

[leena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Ammavari Navvu by Kethu Viswanathareddy, my grandfather. This story connected me in ways I could not imagine. To my culture, my village, my ancestors and their stories. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to find novels by Sir that were translated into English so I’m very joyous and emotional with this read. I’ll finish the entire book one day but for now, my praise goes to Volga for publishing this anthology. RIP Kethu Viswanathareddy