“When you read a short story, you come out a little more aware and a little more in love with the world around you” says American writer George Saunders.
Of all the genres, writing a short story is most difficult one, which many acclaimed writers say.
However, here is septuagenarian medical professional who won a ccolades from her readers by penning beautiful short pieces.
Meet Dr. Parcha Anjani Devi, a reputed doctor in Hanamkonda, who not only earned a name as doctor but also as a short story writer in Telugu literature. Her stories won wide appreciation from readers and were featured in literary magazines and in number of anthologies brought out by various literary organizations in the state.
Telugu magazines – Andhra Jyothi Sunday magazine, Rachana , Navya , Anveshana and others published Dr Anjani Devi’s stories while the All India Radio airs her stories every month.
Empathy, understanding, family, inter-personal relations and adjustments form themes of her writing. Much acclaimed story, Thanbhi , a Urdu word, meaning almirah, features how a Andhra girl married to a Telangana boy finds difficulty in adjusting. Finding from the diary of her mother-in-law how much she loved her daughter-in-law, the Andhra girl gives up her inhibitions and falls in total love with her new family.
Another story, Naku Nachina Gadhi , which means -- the room which I love the most -- features the memory that haunts her time and again.
When people share their joy of having a new home and room, they love much in it, she ponders over herself and realises that it is the labour room, which she frequented the most, is what she loves the most.
In the story, Antique Piece, Dr. Anjani Devi portrays how people attach more value to the items they collected, including the antique pieces, the value which they do not give to their aged parents. The parents continue to be neglected and are treated less worth.
“I write once in a while. Unless I am moved, and I have confidence that my story moves my reader, I do not take pen. I am happy that most of my stories are widely appreciated,” she says speaking to The Hindu .
Despite enriching the Telugu short story with her unique stories, this doctor remains unsung and unnoticed by literary organisations and yet she says that she is contented.
