Our Policies and Objectives, UPDATED APR. 2021

I started this website in June 2001 with a specific purpose, that is to introduce our Telugu culture and customs to non-Telugu audience. After I arrived in America in 1973, I noticed two things: First, there are plenty of misconceptions in each country–both in America and India-about the other country-.  Second, there is a plenty of interest among Americans to learn about our culture. Several of my friends ruged, spurred, motivated me to embark on this journey. It is my pious hope that these stories render a clearer picture of India a little  at least.

Translations of Telugu stories are designed to serve that purpose. Thus the selection for translations is based, not on the literary standing of the writers but on the stories that reflect, explain, elaborate on our culture and customs. In a way, this eliminates stories describing current day stories, since modern day Andhra Pradesh is Westernized and do not reflect our culture and customers.

 Over the years, close to 120 stories have been translated and published. About 20 articles  on various writers/topics of interest in Telugu literature have been published. Some of these stories are compiled into 3  anthologies and published by reputable publishers. The site has been quoted as useful source for researchers in some universities across the globe.

I hope this gives an idea of what this site is about and why it is so important to follow the guidelines given below.

Guidelines for submission:

Writers interested in submitting translations and articles may keep in mind my goals mentioned above and choose stories suitable for this site. Authors/translators are requested to follow guidelines.

— Make sure you have the right kind of story for this particular website. Highly praised story may or may not serve my purpose, in which case it will not be accepted.

— Translations should be suitable for global audience. Indian-English phrases and expressions are not acceptable. However, relational terms exclusively possible only in Indian culture like Amma, Nanna, Vadina may be used, with a little footnote explianing the actual meaning in a given context. So also terms peculiar to Telugu culture such as madi, gilakala bavi, gaarelu, and such.

–Editing is author’s job, not mine. Please, do not expect me to edit, spell-check, grammar-check, etc. And prepare a readable copy. Frankly, it would not be good since I would not have seen the original.

–This is not a commercial magazine. It is a one-person operation without absolutly no financial gain of any sort. There is no cost to you. The reward is in the exposure my site gives to your work.

I must however admit that some of the stories/translations failed to meet the standards I have set for myself. In future, I intend to be more careful in my selection.

Thanks for your interest.

Enjoy and leave your comments on the substance in the posts.

Malathi Nidadavolu

April 2021.