Writers' voice

Writers conference discusses issues in Telugu literature.

At the book release function.

The two-day writer's conference organised by the East Godavari District Writers' Association at Kakinada has provided a platform to writers belonging to the district to discuss the current trends in literature and the impact of socio economic changes. As many as 62 writers, who belonged to the district but settled in various parts of the State, gathered for the event. The conference has passed a resolution to publish annual edition of Telugu short stories from the district every year, as there is no representation of stories from the district in the annual editions bringing out by various publication houses.

District Collector M. Ravi Chandra, in his inaugural address recalled the glory of the district on literary front by referring to the works of Nannaya Bhattu and Kandukuri Veeresalingam. Noted writer and poet, Vadrevu Chinaveerabhadrudu has called upon the writers to prove the world that there is no vacuum in contemporary literature from the Godavari region. Telugu film lyricist Bhaskarabhatla Ravi Kumar has recalled his association with the Gouthami library in Rajahmundry and how it influenced him to venture into poetry. He said, “Actor, Tanikella Bharani and music director,

Chakri have noticed my poetry first and encouraged me as lyricist. The rest is history and the credit goes to the Godavari and Gauthami library,”

P. Chiranjeevi Kumar, General Secretary of the writers' association, expressed anguish over a few television serials for encouraging polygamy and felt that there is a need to sensor the advertisements being aired on television channels.

Aluru Vijayalakshmi highlighted the role of Internet in providing an opportunity to access literature. C. Stalin expressed dissatisfaction over the coverage of television channels on literature. Tallavajhula Patanjali Sastry and Kuppili Padma focused on globalisation and observed that many Telugu writers and poets successfully documented the impact of globalisation on society in their works. Nanduri Rajagopal has spoken at length about existentialism. Vadrevu Veeralakshmi Devi advised the writers from the district to focus on local problems instead of writing short stories on age old themes like family disputes. Nandula Suseela Devi predicted a bright future to Telugu novel, while Vijayalakshmi Baksh lamented the drop in the patronage for novels.

Kathalu-Alalu a compilation of 43 short stories penned by the writers from the district was released on the occasion. Writers Avamtsa Somasundar, Samavedam Janaki Ramasastry (Janaki Jani) and B.V. Satyanarayana were felicitated.