Atukuri Molla, author of Molla Ramayanam, has come to be known as Kummara (potter) Molla. Besides Muddupalani, author of Radhikasantvanam¸Molla is the only female poet from ancient times to receive so much attention from English-speaking scholars. The precise date is not known but scholars believe that she lived in the late fifteenth century. From the…… Continue reading Atukuri Molla by Nidadavolu Malathi
Category: Analytical articles
Nidudavolu Venkatarao: A Walking Encyclopedia by Nidadavolu Malathi
Vidyaratna, Kalaprapoorna Nidudavolu Venkatarao (3 January 1903 – 15 October 1982) was a poet, scholar, and a literary historian with extraordinary flair. His contemporaries called him jangama vijnana sarvaswamu, a moving encyclopedia because of his extensive knowledge of classics in several languages and exceptional memory power [dharana]. He was able to quote on the spot…… Continue reading Nidudavolu Venkatarao: A Walking Encyclopedia by Nidadavolu Malathi
Kanuparthi Varalakshmamma by Nidadavolu Malathi
Varalakshmamma was an avid social activist, active participant in Gandhian movement, a social conscious writer and a great speaker. She was born on October 6th, 1886. Her parents were Palaparthi Seshayya and Hanumayamma. She had seven siblings—five brothers and two sisters. She was married in 1909 to Kanuparthi Hanumantha Rao, an educated and sophisticated gentleman…… Continue reading Kanuparthi Varalakshmamma by Nidadavolu Malathi
Malapalli – revisiting a classic – 2 by Nidadavolu Malathi
Malapalli, chapters 13- 23 13. Burning issues and the starving poor. The following day, early in the morning, Sangadasu got down to work. Asked Venganna if Chowdarayya returned home. Venganna told him that Chowdarayya and the munsif of Palem were on their way to a meeting in the neighboring village. The munsif and Chowdarayya were…… Continue reading Malapalli – revisiting a classic – 2 by Nidadavolu Malathi
Malapalli – Revisiting a classic novel by Nidadavolu Malathi
Malapalli: A Milestone in the History of Telugu Fiction and What it means for today’s non-scholar reader. . First, I would like make clear that this is not a translation or a critical review but a modest attempt to introduce the highly acclaimed novel to the readers who are either unaware of its existence or…… Continue reading Malapalli – Revisiting a classic novel by Nidadavolu Malathi
Bhandaru Acchamamba’s stories: Review by Nidadavolu Malathi
For a decade or so, Telugu scholars started discussing the works of Bhandaru Acchamamba’s works, primarily in an attempt to show that she is the first writer among males and females to write a well-developed Telugu story in the mdoern sense. However, the purpose of this article is only review an anthology of her stories,…… Continue reading Bhandaru Acchamamba’s stories: Review by Nidadavolu Malathi
Bhandaru Acchamamba: Outstanding life & Work by Nidadavolu Malathi
In the past, we have featured an analytical review of Bhandaru Acchamamba’s contribution to Telugu literature (written by Kondaveeti Satyavati) and two stories written by Acchamamba. Recently, I have come across Acchamamba’s monumental work, abalaa saccharitra ratnamala [Biographies of Laudable Women], volumes 1 and 2. These two volumes however are not available for purchase. Only…… Continue reading Bhandaru Acchamamba: Outstanding life & Work by Nidadavolu Malathi