Book Reviews

PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST TELUGU SYMPOSIUM OF AMERICA: published by the Vanguri Foundation of America, Houston, Texas, USA; Price not known.

This proceedings of the Symposium of Telugu language by the Andhras in North America is interesting reading for more reasons than one. First, this appears to be a genuine attempt at bringing those interested in preserving and promoting Telugu culture and literature together and attempting to find out means for this. In the process, educating their children in Telugu, even as a foreign language (in other countries like the US, Telugu is a foreign language) on the lines of French, German, Russian, Iddish etc., More importantly, the resolve to found a Telugu Chair in that country for this purpose. One has no hesitation in saying that the attempts are praiseworthy and hopes that they will also be fruitful, as the Telugus in America do not lack in resources or zeal. Now they have the resolution. God be with them!

The proceedings incidentally contain besides the usual articles by some of their writers in recent times, some creditable pieces by the eminent authors invited from Andhra. Such as for example, Dr. Ramapathi Rao who defines the Novel and gives a rightful place to Tirumala Ramachandra’s “HAMPI TO HARAPPA” in his list of outstanding novels. And Dr. Kovela Sampatkumaracharya’s brilliant analysis of some of the memorable pieces of Telugu poetry of Tikkana, Viswanadha in his article on Telugu poetry.

“The report on Telugu Literature-Data Base” is a typical article that indicates how the American Telugus are interested in promoting data base of Telugu literature and books published by innovating the system and use of fonts, in the field of computers which is very much theirs.

One only hopes that the numerous typographical and grammatical errors could easily have been avoided, with a little more of proof – reading, as such works are a record for posterity.

–Vemaraju Narasimha Rao

RIVER OF COLLECTION by K. Lakshmi Narayana. Published by Inner Voice Publications; Church Road, Principal’s Colony; Parlakhemundi – 761 200, Gajapathi District, Orissa. Price: Rs. 35.

This is a collection of interesting poems - rare thoughts and rare style -

As the title indicates, it seems to be a collection of recollections of various situations in the poet’s life, various moods and various people he remembers - the river of recollection, “carrying countless images…” Cricket lovers can read with interest “A Game of Fantasy”. “Jawan” is a soldier’s letter to his father. In some places the reader will find the play of words very interesting. To quote an example:

“Clenched fists of wrenched hands,
Bedevilled rain and drenched lives;
Withering buds on wistful stems,
Clouds winnowed in wrinkles of the sky”

Very touching is the sad lengthly poem “My friend in Paradise” which the poet had written in memory of his best friend.

“Oh, honoured guest of the sky
We gaze the stars restlessly for you,
You emptied the ship of intimacy
And loaded it with loneliness”
In “A Tale of True Heart”

“I don’t hear the roaring clouds,
But the test fires of Agni and Ghauri,
I don’t hear the songs of global peace
But the tunes of starvation and despair.”

“Glory of my Nation” “Visit to Tiruvali” “render a patriotic and spiritual touch to the book.
–A. Satyavathi

Sri Siva Sahasranama Nirukti: Editor. Tippabhatla Ramakrishna Murthy (Author and Publisher), Behind Siva Temple Polakampada, Tadepalli PO, Guntur District, 425093 A.P. Price: Rs. 60/-

The adage, “Nearest to temple, farthest from God” does not apply to Dr. T. R. K. Murthy. Living behind the Sivalayam he is able to take us very near the Supreme Lord through the meaning and explanation of his thousand names, He shows us that Siva is not different from Vishnu and lists for us the names that appear both in Siva Sahasranamam and Vishnu Sahasranamam. He shows how each is the Bhakta of the other and each is the initiator into the Thousand names of the other.

The book begins with the situation in which Siva Sahasranama appears, gives us the slokas in which the names are embedded and we get a detailed explanation of each name. Some names tend to repeat and we are told which names repeat in the course of the text.

Siva Astottara Sata namavali is included with explanations of the one hundred and eight names. The author supplies all the information that is needed. A perfect book in its own way.

The book is modestly priced.

-Prof K. B. Sitaramayya

AMARAVANI, Part I, SRI NILAKANTHA SATAKAMU by Sri Vadapalli Suryanarayana, Copies available from Sri. Adapa Ramakrishna, No.4, B-21-21, Dondaparti, Visakhapatnam - 530 016. A.P. Price: Rs.5/-­

Both the booklets are excellent examples of traditional verse written at the end of the century which has seen various forms of modernist, post-modernist, post-post modernist verse. Two hundred odd verses in Amaravani I are moral axioms in the Atavladi verse form. Each verse ends with an address to the author himself, Servant of the Wise, Suryaraya. Here is an example:

He that is ever-contented
Truly gains peace and pleasure;
There is no pleasure without contentment
Servant of the Wise, Suryaraya.

We eagerly look forward to the Second Part of the Immortal Word (Amaravani). The second booklet is a Century of Verse in the majestic verse forms Mattebha Vikriditam and Sardula Vikriditam. They are addressed to the Blue-Throated Lord (Siva) and are devotional in character.

Here is an example:

Here alone, all alone, there innumerable,
You shine stainless, O Siva! spiritual, Divine,
Being the All, the supreme Soul, the Transcendent Truth,
Where is it you are not seen, Boon-giver, Blue-throated Lord?

Well-versed in religious lore and with a fine command of word and rhythm, with a mind and heart filled with sublime thoughts and emotions the poet brings before us stanzas that are at once delightful and illuminating.

–Prof. K. B. Sitaramayya