Telugu

Attagari Kathalu (Stories of Mother-in-law) by multi-talented Dr. Bhanumati Ramakrishna, apart from her unparalleled stature in the movie industry, also made her mark as a writer of fiction, writer of humor with the creation of the mother-in-law character which is soo hilarious and unique. These collection of short stories won her the Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy award in 1966. Bhanumati has written a few stories of serious nature also, but it is her mother-in-law character that has become the hallmark of her writing. These mother-in-law stories reflect her belief in tradition and family values. Her stories brim with her belief in god, astrology, and family values, drawing humor primarily from situations and the human ideosyncrasies; and, she never missed a chance to take a jab at our customs and beliefs. That is not however to be interpreted as disrespect for tradition.

First staged in 1892, the South Indian play Girls for Sale (Kanyasulkam) is considered the greatest modern work of Telugu literature and the first major drama written in an Indian language that critiqued British colonialism's effects on Indian society. Filled with humor, biting social commentary, parody, and masquerade, the plot revolves around a clever courtesan, a young widow, and a very old man who wants to buy as his wife a very young girl. Velcheru Narayana Rao has prepared the first idiomatic English translation, with notes and a critical essay. Itself a masterpiece of Indian literature in translation, this edition makes Apparao's work available to new audiences.