A Rewarding Visit to India (Aug 6-Sept 5, 2009) After nearly three years, I went to my home country for five weeks. This time, I set out to explore the publishing field and it turned out to be rewarding. Two books have been released. One literary organization, Lekhini, Hyderabad, has promised to bring out one anthology of my translations. Two more institutions—a university in South India and a publishing company in Hyderabad expressed their interest in my manuscripts. They asked me to send completed manuscripts for their review. Regarding my stories in Telugu, EMESCO Books, a highly reputable firm, accepted to publish my novel, chataka pakshulu, and another long-standing publishing company is currently reviewing two anthologies of my stories. To me, that is a dream come true!   The Central Sahitya Akademi, Bangalore office, released my book, From my Front Porch: An Anthology of Telugu stories on August 21, 2009. This is a collection of eighteen stories by prominent male and female writers of Andhra Pradesh. The book includes an elaborate introduction, footnotes and glossary. Click on the image for further details. The second book, Quiet and Quaint: Telugu Women’s Writing, 1950-1975, is published by Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad in September 2009. It is a critical study of female fiction writers in the years, immediately following the declaration of independence in 1947. The book attempts to explain the phenomenal success of the women writers. It examines the historical background, their educational status, familial and social conditions, which contributed to their success. And then, proceeds to discuss the themes in their stories and their craftsmanship. The book also includes the synopses of the stories discussed in the book for the convenience of the readers who would not be able to read them in Telugu.    Basically, my premise is that a significant portion of Telugu literature has been ignored by the academy, the literary historians and the critics of our time in Andhra Pradesh. Although this book is by no means a complete study of the entire body of Telugu fiction, it does provide a platform for scholarly discussion and further research. Despite my position in this book, my philosophy in running this website goes beyond women’s writing. I have stated time and again that a vast majority of Telugu writers, both male and female, have been ignored for reasons yet to be established. I launched this website to provide a platform for those voices and thereby offering a more balanced perspective of Telugu fiction. I believe that publishing these translations in anthologies is one more step towards reaching wider range of audience.    As you may be aware, the first anthology, A Spectrum of My People, has been published by Jaico Publishing House, Mumbai, in 2005. It included eighteen stories and an elaborate introduction. Now, the second anthology, From my Front Porch, published by the Central Sahitya Akademi, Delhi, includes eighteen more stories. To date, sixty-six stories and ten articles are yet to be published. With this information, I approached some publishers and educational institutions in Andhra Padesh during my recent visit. To my great satisfaction, I received favorable responses from some institutions and organizations. Let me back up a bit and give you a detailed account of my journey systematically. I landed in Hyderabad on August 6th 2009. My brother, Sitarama Rao, came to the airport and brought me to his home. As always, he stayed with all along, making arrangements for my meetings and travel, and traveling with me. I do not know what I would have done without him. To have a brother like that is a blessing. After I landed in Hyderabad, my first stop was at the house Sujatha, a Telugu blogger, on Sunday, 9th. You can read her stories in translation on this site. Go to Author Index and look under Sujatha Srinivas. I met with them face to face, for the first time, despite our emails and exchange of ideas on our blogs. I had wonderful time. On August 11, Dr. Vasa Prabhavati, founder-president of Lekhini Mahila Chaitanya Sahiti Samskritika Samstha, organized a meeting at Thyagaraja Gana Sabha. At the meeting, Dr. Prabhavati introduced the guest of honor, Malathi Nidadavolu, and explained how the website, thulika.net, had become an effective site in promoting Telugu culture and fiction around the world. She praised Malathi for her valuable contribution. Dr. Poranki Dakshinamurthy presided over the function. In his speech, Dakshinamurthy noted the hardships in translating from Telugu into English, particularly for the readers unfamiliar with our culture. He mentioned that some people would downplay the exemplary work of even Nannayya and Tikkana in writing the Maha Bharata epic as mere translation from Sanskrit into Telugu. Then, he gave a few examples of good translations, and stressed the need for a translator to be creative when occasion called for it. The audience appreciated his observation that translations are on par with original writing. Malathi in her speech, quipped that, after listening Dakshinamurthy’s comments, she might consider herself to be on par with Nannayya and Tikkana, and went to explain her reasons for creating this website, thulika.net. She said she was looking for stories that deal with topics peculiar to our culture and the stories that help dispel the myths and stereotypes, which are prevalent in other countries. She stated that she would not be interested in the stories promoting any particular ideology, and stories the contemporary issues. She believes those stories are getting sufficient exposure in other media. Further, she also pointed out the problems in translating the native idiom and phrases peculiar to our language and culture. (See her article, “Dynamics of Transcultural Transformation” for further explanation). Finally, she pointed out that, although she created the site for those who are not familiar with our culture, the current generation youth are also enjoying these stories in translation. Sudhama spoke briefly about Malathi’s stories. The meeting concluded with a presentation of a memento and beaded garland to Malathi in appreciation of her work in promoting Telugu fiction abroad. Swatee Sripada proposed vote of thanks. On 19th, there was a literary meet in Ravindra Bharati in Hyderabad. The local branch of Sahitya Akademi arranged a function to honor Dr. K. K. Ranganathacharyulu, a celebrated critic and writer. I went to the meeting hoping to have a word with Dr. Ranganathacharyulu. There was a reason for that. A week earlier, on the 10th to be precise, I had met with Dr. Kethu Viswanatha Reddy, reputable writer, critic and scholar. We had an interesting conversation about the current trends in literary criticism in Andhra Pradesh. He also gave me some books, one of which was toli Telugu kathanika [Early Telugu story] by Ranganathacharyulu. I liked the book and wanted to ask the author for permission to post a gist of the book in English on my site. I wanted to know if it would be acceptable to him to publish only a synopsis of the book. I was standing in the hallway. Dr. Ranganathacharyulu walked in and introduced himself to me casually. I was thrilled as my job became easier. At once, I introduced myself to him and was about to ask for his permission. One of the organizers came and invited us to have tea. I thought I might be holding the guest of honor and so told him that to go and have the tea first. After a few minutes, he returned and said, “You were saying something earlier.” It made me happy to see that a manof his stature was so polite. I told him about my site in a few words and asked him if would let me publish the gist of his book on my site. He nodded in assent with a smile, which pleased me even more. At the meeting, his spoke about his life and literary activities. It was an interesting speech. The same evening, I have also met several reputable writers like Potukuchi Sambasiva Rao and Ampasayya Naveen. They all agreed to send their stories for publication on this website. Some of them promised to send translations. You can see why I am so pleased with this trip! I also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Ilangovan, the regional secretary of Sahitya Akademi. He told me that he would not be able to attend the book release function in Bangalore on 21st because of his earlier commitments in Hyderabad. In all, it was a good experience for me. On 20th evening, we set out by train to Bangalore. In Bangalore, the book release function was arranged, aptly I might add, in a bookstore called Books for Change. The store had a room apparently meant for meetings of this nature. Shobha Ramachandran, the owner of the store, was pleasant and friendly. Outside the store, they arranged a book display on the lawn. Tea and snacks were served. Mrs. Meenalochani, editor, Sahitya Akademi, introduced the guests. Dr. Marula Siddappa, poet and member of Sahitya Akademi advisory board, presided over the function. He spoke in Kannada, saying he was not fluent in English. Later, however, I understood that he had emphasized the need for the Indian literatures to be translated into English as a means to unify the nation. Dr. P.P. Ravindran and Ms. Jayasri spoke about their translations. Although I am not much of a speaker, I had to say a few words about my anthology, and my principles in selecting the stories for the anthology on hand. I was happy that Mr. Agrahara Krishnamurthy, Secretary, Central Sahitya Akademi in Delhi, was present at the meeting. He was regional secretary in Bangalore, when I first submitted my proposal of this book, From my Front Porch. Thus, his presence at this book release function had an added significance for me. Mrs. Meenalochani invited Mr. Krishnamurthy to say a few words. He said he had come only as a spectator, nevertheless, accepted the invitation graciously. He said that the Telugu people are proud of their literary heritage, mentioned that Palagummi Padmaraju had won in the International story competition held by New York Herald Tribune in 1951, and referred to the numerous anthologies, which are being produced annually. On the following day, we went to meet with Mrs. Sivaraju Subbalakshmi, a veteran writer, who has been writing since 1964. She is also wife of (late) Buchibabu (1918-1967), an esteemed writer. I have not translated their stories yet, but will do so in near future. For the present, I would like to introduce Mrs. Subbalakshmi briefly. At the age of 84, Mrs. Subbalakshmi is full of zest, and a woman of strong convictions. She made tea for us herself. Her son, Subbarao (named after his father), said his mother would insist on making tea and preparing meals herself. After tea, I asked her about her writings. She went in and returned with five or six books and showed them to us. She has remarkable memory. She could speak about her stories and novels without thinking even for a second. Although she has not published her stories in recent years, she continues to write, I was told. Currently, she is writing her memories and experiences as she remembers them, of course, in long hand. I asked her to send them to me for publication on my site. Mrs. Subbalakshmi showed us some of her paintings as well. She is related to famous artist Bapu. She said she taught him the art of painting. I asked Subbalakshmi if she was planning to attend the meeting at Sahitya Akademi Reading Room that evening. She said she would, if somebody could bring her to the meeting. Apparently,  it was not a good day for her son. Meeting Mrs. Sivaraju Subbalakshmi was a unique experience for me. At the Reading Room, the topic of discussion was transcultural translation. Several writers, translators and readers attended the meeting. Dr. P. P. Ravindran gave an academic perspective of the issues in transcultural translation. Malathi pointed out some of the complex issues such as rendering the native idiom and phrases peculiar to Telugu into English. She also emphasized the need to keep the target audience in mind while translating for readers from other cultures. Veteran writers like Ambika Ananth, Nishtala Umamaheswara Rao, and Malathi Rao, Sahitya Akademi award- winner (That was not me), Dr. Tangirala Subba Rao, participated in the two-day sessions My report on the meetings in Bangalore would not be complete without complimenting Mrs. Meenalochani, for conducting the meetings so efficiently. In the absence of Mr. Ilangovan, regional secretary, Mrs. Meenalochani did a good job. After I returned to Hyderabad for a day’s rest, I proceeded to Visakhapatnam for two-day literary meets.  Dr. G.V. S.L. Narasimha Raju is a veteran writer and an old friend of mine. On the first day, Dr. Narasimha Raju’s book release, and felicitation of Malathi were scheduled. Earlier, on the morning of 27th, I met with my friend and publisher of my first Telugu anthology, Padma and her husband, Prajnanand. I asked them if they were planning to attend the meetings. Padma said that the meetings were being held on the second floor, inaccessible for her because of her condition (polio). Until then, I did not know that the meetings were being held on the second floor of the building. Then I mentioned to Prajnanand rather casually, “I was hoping you would be my photographer.” Immediately, both said that would not be a problem. Later he told me that he usually would go to the places she could not go, take pictures or video and share it with her. Needless to say, I was happy for both of them. What a nice couple! On 28th evening, the meeting at the Visakha Public Library hall was started with Mr. Narasimha Raju’s granddaughter, Sayibhushana singing the invocation and a classical song. Racakonda Viswanatha Sastry award winner, M. Ramakoti presided. Several writers such as Kalyana Rama Rao, Kalipatnam Rama Rao, Kandala Srinivasa Rao, and Jampana Kumara Varma spoke. My brother N. Sitarama Rao briefly narrated the beginnings of my literary journey. Mrs. B. Subbalakshmi, who obtained her M. Phil. Degree by working on my short stories, also spoke. Dr. C.L.L. Jayaprada, professor, Andhra University, brought her translation class students with her and introduced them to me. I was happy to meet them, wished I could spend more time with them. Dr. Jayaprada asked me if I could go to her class one day. I would have liked it very much but I was leaving the next day and so would not be able to attend their class. What bothered more was the fact that the speeches went on for so long that my speech on translations had been postponed to the following day. The students left, disappointed I am sure.   In the meeting, one thing that captured my attention was a point Kalipatnam Rama Rao had made. He recalled a small conversation he had with me. He said, “After writing some stories, I stopped writing and attending meetings. However, in 1961 I attended one meeting arranged by Visakha Sahiti. There Malathi came to me and said, ‘I have read your story. It is very good. Why did you stop writing?’ Rama Rao continued to say that that comment made him realize how encouraging it would be for writers to hear about their writings from strangers, and that he continues to encourage other writers even today. Dr. Narasimha Raju honored Malathi with a sanmanapatram, Rs. 1,116.00 and prabhasamba sahitya award, which he as instituted in honor of his mother Bhaskaramma and father Sambamurthi Raju. Mrs. Prayaga Vedavati, in her speech, posed a question for me. She asked, “Most of us, after we turn forty, seem to be straying farther away from the current generation youth. How do we reconnect with them?” By this time, I was asked to respond, most of the audience had left. I was a kind of lost. I came prepared to speak on transcultural translation. That was the topic assigned to me. I am not good at improvising. So, I thanked the organizers and speakers, and moved fast to respond to the question by Mrs. Vedavati. The gist of it was, I had no problem connecting with the young men and women of today. If we cannot connect, the problem is ours. Part of the reason is, we keep talking about how things were in our day, and keep telling them what they should do. What I have learned after launching my Telugu blog is worth remembering. Several young men and women are comfortable talking to me because I give them in a language they can relate to. I don’t mean talking about Michael Jackson and Britney Spears but talking about fundamental values. If we want them to listen to us, we need to listen to them as well. To prove my point, the next day, I asked a young friend of mine the same question. A few minutes later, she said something about an incident in her life and that she was worried that her strategy might not go the way she had planned. In response, I said, “You should not entertain that kind of thought. When you write a program, you would not start with the assumption that your program would fail,” She immediately said, “That’s the reason we can connect with you. You can give examples from our activities and our day-to-day lives.” Mrs. Vedavati did not attend the second day’s meeting. Had she attended, I would have given this example. Dr. Narasimha Raju told me that I would have the entire session the following day. On one hand, it was nice. On the other, the group was much smaller; the tranaslations class students were absent but for one student. I felt like this was one of the examples how we let down the younger generation. Had I delivered my speech on the first day, it would have benefited the young translators and I would have an opportunity to connect with them. I am not blaming the organizers. I am just saying it was an opportunity we missed, unknowingly though. On 29th morning, I went to meet another highly respected woman writer, Dr. Dwivedula Visalakshi. I have been trying to contact her for a few years now for permission to translate her stories, but to no avail. Two years back, my brother told me that he had met with her briefly in Visakhapatnam. Therefore, I knew she was in town. With a little effort, I could obtain her phone number and called. She said, “Yes, we can meet but, if you are coming for books, I don’t have any books to give. I have given away all of them to the local public library. Also, I do not do interviews.” I assured her I did not want books and she did not have to do any interview, if she was not inclined to do so. It was close to eleven in the morning by the time we reached there. She greeted us with a smile and asked us to sit down. Since I know she was aware of my site, I came straight to the point, I said, “I was trying to contact you for a few years now. Several readers of my site, thulika.net, have been asking why I did not translate your story. Are you living in ajnathavasam (living in seclusion)?”   She smiled and nodded vaguely, as if she really had no comment. Then, she started telling about herself. Since I had not recorded the conversation, and she was not willing to give an interview, I will give a few details.   Dr. Vialakshi said she preferred not to give interviews for personal reasons. Secondly, she had donated all her books with complete rights to the local public library in Dwarakanagar, Visakhapatnam in 2007. She managed to obtain copies of books she did not have from her fans, with the help of famous librarian, Dr. Velaga Venkatappayya. She suggested I talk to Bhamidipati Ramagopalam and Varahala Chetty regarding permissions, which I had no problem obtaining. I spoke with Varahala Chetty when I saw him at the Visakha Sahiti meetings and Bharago on Sunday. Bharago told he that he had helped Visalakshi to draft the will and also to create a trust fund of one hundred thousand rupees. Later, I showed her my book, From my Front Porch, and asked him rather lightly, “You said no interview. Probably, you would not let me take a picture of you either.” She called Savitri (her help, I believe) and told her to give me her bio and a photo. I have recorded most of my conversations with writers and speeches at some meetings. I am planning on writing separate articles in course of time. I hope you all will enjoy those articles as well. After I returned to America, even as I sat down to record the details of my trip, I could not help wondering how many people had touched my life, and with some hesitation, I would say I might have touched some lives as well. Click here for pictures. I am thankful to all of  you. who have made my trip such a memorable experience. MN Sept 23, 2009