Practical Literary Criticism, An Indian Take
Why you should read this book
There are now more Indians writing in English, and translating from Indian languages into English, than ever before. Drawing on his experience on reviewing and editing books for half a century, Dr. D S Rao offers, with illustrations from his work, helpful pointers to students, reviewers, writers, and editorial aspirants.
What others are saying
"The amount of scholarship that has gone into the writing is truly impressive. The book can be read with profit by anyone interested in reading and writing. It should be mandatory reading for literary critics and book reviewers, for the step by step practical advice it contains."
- Prof. Shyamala A. Narayan, The Book Review
"This book is going to help immensely all those who try to understand the multiple voices in the classical and current literary practices. The book is an example of editing perfection."
- Prof. Vellikkeel Raghavan, Indian Literature
"Free from dogged adherence to models and fads of the day, and from critical straitjacketing."
- Prof. C. R. Visweswara Rao
"Every assertion in Rao's well-researched book is backed by evidence."
- Prof Dasu Krishnamoorthy
How can you get a copy
The book is available as a hardcover on Amazon. We will also release digital versions on iBooks and Kindle, although no firm date is available yet.
Manohar Malgonkar, a study of his complete fiction
Why you should read this book
To live only by writing, and that too for an Indian to do so by writing in English, was unheard of till the middle of the twentieth century. Unlike his illustrious predecessors – R. K. Narayan and Mulk Raj Anand – Manohar Malgonkar did not have much difficulty in finding publishers, or getting paid for his writing; neither was writing his first choice for a career.
Malgonkar’s success as a writer is phenomenal. R. K. Narayan mentioned him as his favorite novelist, a rare tribute from one Indian to another. E. M. Forster chose A Bend in the Ganges (1964) as one of the three best novels of the year and Richard Church compared it to Tolstoy’s War and Peace.
A third of this book is new to author's doctoral dissertation. It has now become a study of Malgonkar’s complete fiction, a birth centenary examen.
The book was selected by the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation for bulk purchase and distribution to major libraries in India.
What others are saying
‘Rao… explores new areas and adds substantially to our knowledge… close reading of the novels which has resulted in the detection of inaccuracies and improbabilities previously unnoticed… fresh attention to stylistic features of Malgonkar’s art, particularly imagery… sharp focus on Malgonkar’s vision, resulting in statements of central importance on the novelist… critical discrimination of value.’
- G. S. Amur, author of the first book on Manohar Malgonkar
‘A worthy addition to collections on modern Indian literature.’
- Paul Sharrad, University of Wollongong, Australia
‘fresh and compelling aspects of the writer’s unputdownable literary inventory’
- Sunday Hans
How can you get a copy
The book is now available as a paperback on Amazon. We will also release hard copy and digital versions on iBooks and Kindle, although no firm date is available yet.
Usha Rani, a tale of sense and sensuality
Why you should read this book
In this controversial, titillating, thought-provoking novel, Gopichand takes a fresh look at the perennial man-woman relationship; telling a story of an attractive, educated, young woman, Usha Rani, who is dissatisfied with her conjugal life and takes lovers; convinces herself that her affairs have only made her a better wife to her husband and realizes that her husband will only have troubles on her account, resolves not to make a mess of his life…
D S Rao translated this book from Telugu original called Merupula Marakalu (loosely translates to "stains of flashes") to make it accessible to worldwide English readers who can appreciate intellectual provocation.
About the original author
Tripuraneni Gopichand (1910-62) won the Sahitya Akademi Award 1963 for his last novel, Pandita Parameswara Sastri Veelunama. Novelist, short story writer, editor, essayist, playwright and film director, Gopichand tried his hand at various jobs, but continued writing throughout his life. His works are remarkable for interplay of values, ideas and ‘isms’ – materialism, hedonism, existentialism, rationalism, spiritualism, realism, humanism... This novel, Merupula Marakalu – published a year before his death – became instantly popular and raised a major controversy
What others are saying
‘Afterword is a masterpiece’
- Desetti Kesava Rao, poet and translator from Telugu into English.
‘The Afterword is really a masterpiece and puts the whole novel in proper
perspective.’
- J. L. Reddy, translator and Sahitya Akademi Award Winner.
‘Great translation work… I don’t think we have translations of this caliber in fiction, from Telugu into English.’
- Vasundhara Devi, Telugu short story writer.
‘Your translations are so near the original, they serve as guides to students like me, as how to do translation.’
- Yellapu Mukunda Ramarao, Telugu poet, short story writer, and translator.
‘Dr D S Rao’s translations of Gopichand’s novels The Bungler: A Journey Through Life and Usha Rani: A Tale of Sense and Sensibility read well in English translation… Stylistically speaking, (they) capture the rhythms of the originals so that the Telugu narratives’ flavor or raciness is not lost in translation.’
- C. R. Visweswara Rao, former Vice-Chancellor.
About Sahitya Akademi
Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, is the central institution for literary dialogue, publication and promotion in the country and the only institution that undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English. More at
How can you get a copy
The book is available as a paperback on Amazon as well as in digital edition on Amazon Kindle. We will also release digital versions on iBooks, although no firm date is available yet.
The Bungler, a journey through life
Why you should read this book
This Telugu classic is among the Masterpieces of Indian Literature, compiled by The National Book Trust, India. Written shortly before the Independence of India in 1947, when all values were simmering in a cauldron, Gopichand created a unique character: Sitarama Rao jolted the Telugu readers. Heir to feudal order, the antihero is lost in theoretical thinking and cannot cope with the harsh realities. He goes mad and kills himself. Admirers have compared his madness to that of King Lear and Hamlet, critics carped on the novel’s echoes of Gorki. This is the first psychological novel in Telugu literature. It is symbolic, selective, and representational in treatment, and poses social, political, and spiritual issues in a haunting manner.
About the original author
Tripuraneni Gopichand (1910-62) won the Sahitya Akademi Award 1963 for his last novel, Pandita Parameswara Sastri Veelunama. Novelist, short story writer, editor, essayist, playwright and film director, Gopichand tried his hand at various jobs, but continued writing throughout his life. His works are remarkable for interplay of values, ideas and ‘isms’ – materialism, hedonism, existentialism, rationalism, spiritualism, realism, humanism... This novel, Merupula Marakalu – published a year before his death – became instantly popular and raised a major controversy
What others are saying
‘The Bungler is wonderful! … The writing is gorgeous… I can’t think of any work in English that has this quality.’
- Lisa Guidarini, Coordinator, Algonquin Public Library, USA.
‘The Bungler: A Journey Through Life is a milestone… The translation reads straight and smooth, as if it was originally written in English.’
- M Sivaramakrishna, Professor of English, Osmania University
‘A commendable job (of translation)… Asamardhuni Jivayatra is Gopichand’s enduring contribution to Telugu Novel.’
- Vasundhara Ratakonda, Telugu writer and translator
‘Translation so near the original… serves as a guide how to do translation.’
- Yellapu Mukunda Ramarao, Telugu poet, short story writer, and translator
About Sahitya Akademi
Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, is the central institution for literary dialogue, publication and promotion in the country and the only institution that undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English. More at
How can you get a copy
The book is available as a paperback on Amazon as well as in digital edition on Amazon Kindle. We will also release digital versions on iBooks, although no firm date is available yet.
Kettle and Cup, memoirs of a little known Indian-1
Why you should read this book
It is not very often that we get opportunities to be in the same room, leave alone have a seat at the table, with the finest literary minds of young India... Dr. Radhakrishnan, Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam acclaimed D. S.Rao's Five Decades as "great history of Sahitya Akademi's five decades" and noted it as "an important contribution".
This book provides the ring side view of the discussions with these eminent figures, birth of an institution, its growth, struggles, and the current state. It chronicles the hereto untold journey from a historian's perspective, and shares personal correspondence he has been privy.
What others are saying
‘The book has all the electricity of fiction and authenticity of real-life stories… This is the extraordinary story of a person who built himself up, overcoming setbacks at every turn of life through grit, honesty and discipline. It is an authentic story of human experience, a personal journey, a reverie set to an evening raga.’
- Prof. Dasu Krishnamoorti
‘This memoir and your Five Decades provide a mine of information and guidance to those who want to learn about running an institution. I was reminded of Gibbon's Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire while reading the memoir.’
- Prof. J. L. Reddy
‘What a wonderfully quiet but telling manner you have of narration! …There is a historical nugget every few pages … We did not know our Nehru and Radhakrishnan and Azad and CR in this intimate light at all, not to mention Humayun Kabir.’
- Prof. Harish Trivedi
‘The way you have confronted all adversities is admirable… The inside view of various writers is very interesting. Your comments on Nehru are very valuable… I was re-reading your lecture at the Woodward Academy in Atlanta. I think it is the best exposition of Hinduism I have ever read.’
- Prof. Shyamala A. Narayan
‘Micro history and macro history! How they blend and merge to create that historicity which gives authenticity to your narration. It is quite remarkable.’
- Prof. Sujata Rao
‘After a long, long time I read anything that long at one single go… a candid and open document. The letters and conversations are revealing – giving an insight into the thoughts and personae of great men, and how every fork became your learning tool.’
- Annapurna Sarma
How can you get a copy
The book is available as a paperback on Amazon as well as in digital edition on Amazon Kindle. We will also release digital versions on iBooks, although no firm date is available yet.
Mind and Parachute, memoirs of a little known Indian-2
Why you should read this book
Mind and parachute work only when they are open; they are useless if closed.
If you have read the book 1 of Dr D S Rao's memoirs, this sequel is a must read. It takes the same candid approach to narrating the experiences from various academic institutions that he taught at or was associated with. The book shares his success kit, which does not include appeasement for personal gains, of being an effective teacher who taught his students how to think and express.
This book is value to the next generation of academics, mentors, students, and psychologists.
What others are saying
Dr. Rao, you are a modern rishi! I see the way students sit around you on grass and listen to you with rapt attention!’
- Prof. Thangavelu
‘Dr. D. S. Rao is a rare example of selfless love, scholarly simplicity, unparalleled literary service, and devotion teaching.’
- Prof Mukul Sharma
‘a candid and open document, giving insights into how every fork becomes a learning tool.’
- Annapurna Sarma
‘What more do I ask from my favorite Sir, who's a guide, confidante, ego booster, patient listener, wonderful organizer, helping hand, adorable friend, and excellent teacher!?’
- Smita Pandey
How can you get a copy
The book is available as a paperback on Amazon as well as in digital edition on Amazon Kindle. We will also release digital versions on iBooks, although no firm date is available yet.