An eminent Telugu litterateur Kokkonda Venkataratnam of bygone days, in a verse, specifies nine characteristics for an Editor. They are: Scholarship, gentility, prudence, steadfastness, fortitude, opulence, propriety, power of will, intellect and deed, and ingenuity of expression. ABK Prasad (Anne Bhavani Koteswara Prasad), author of this book, admirably holds these criteria besides other attributes. Only exception is ‘opulence’, as he attaches no importance to wealth. In an interview in The Hindu on the eve of his eightieth birthday on 1 August2015, ABK discloses “I have been mostly destined to be a launching pad for many dailies. I spent almost 60 years in this august position in different capacities as sub-editor – and ultimately as Editor-in-chief of about five dailies.” Basically he is a thinker, with insatiable desire to acquire and digest knowledge emanating from all over the world. Obviously he is a voracious reader coupled with passionate urge for research. Being a paradigm in the field of journalism, he is a prolific writer and a gifted author.
The present Telugu book amply reflects these traits. It is a collection of 40 items comprising reviews of and forewords and prefaces to books. Naturally, the subjects are varied and so is the extent of the articles. As the very title denotes, the approach is in entirety. With his encyclopaedic knowledge, ABK adopts an innovative design for the purpose. The main topic of the work will operate as the nucleus. There will be critical analysis and expatiation of the subject from different angles. In the process, he takes the readers to alien places, narrates relevant episodes and introduces prominent authors and their works.
In the article entitled ‘Chayadevi Chirakalapu Kalam Snehithudu’, ABK deals with the book Mrithyunjaya by Chayadevi, a well known writer. The book is a compilation of correspondence between Chayadevi and her father Mrithyunjaya. ABK first refers to Nehru’s letters to his daughter Indira. He then delves into the past, wherein daughter writes to her father and recalls the names of Jer Bell, who sent letters from Arabia to her father in Mesopotamia, Catherina Clive, Mary Montague and so on. As for the spiritual content in Mrithyunjaya’s letters, the author dwells on Jiddu Krishnamurthy’s philosophy and his monumental works. Reviewing ‘Sramanakam’ of Nandamuri Lakshmi Parvathi, the author tells the background of the system of Bikshu in Buddhism and lauds the role of Sundari, Buddha’s sister-in-law in securing due place for women in the cult. While handling books on history, ABK gives vent to his sense of strong disapproval at the bias that crept into history to suit the divide and rule policy of Britishers. In the preface to ‘Bharatha Swatantrya Samgramam-MuslimYodhulu’, he remarks: “British Governors like William Moor and Western historians like Vincent Smith paved the way for the distortion of history”.
Having held the high office of Chairman of Official Language Commission with much efficacy, he bestows special attention towards books on language issue. Reviewing ‘Telugu Bhasha Prachinath -Adhunikatha’ by V.Lakshma Reddy, ABK offers several pragmatic suggestions for better and wider use of Telugu in education and administration.
ABK’s language is lucid and and the remarks are balanced and forthright. The reviews are comprehensive and give avid readers a feeling they have gone through 40 books.
Grandhalu – Kamameeshu!
By A B K. Prasad
Price: Rs. 120
For copies: Visalandhra and Navodaya book shops.
