Palagummi Padmaraju award presented to Patanjali Sastry

Telugu writer Tallavajjhuala Patanjali Sastry being felicitated by literary critic Dwa Na Sastry in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.— PHOTO: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM

Noted writer and environmentalist Tallavajjhula Patanjali Sastry has pointed out the lack of creativity in Telugu stories and novels and literary criticism worth the name in spite of increase in the quantity.

In his brief address after receiving Palagummi Padmaraju award by Mosaic and Kinnera Theatre Arts, he said the lack of critical appreciation was not due to lack of good critics. He expressed his happiness at receiving the award in the city where two great writers -- Tripura and Ravi Sastry -- lived.

Writer Chalasani Prasad presented the award to Mr. Sastry marking the centenary of the noted writer. Another recipient of the award was Jagannadha Sarma, editor of Navya. Speakers drew parallels between the writing of Palagummi Padmaraju and Mr. Sastry.