KANNADA
Social maladies
V. GOPALAKRISHNA
KETHU VISWANATHA REDDY KATHEGALU: Meerasabihally Shivanna — Tr. in Kannada; Sahitya Akademi, Ravindra Bhavan, 35, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi-110001. Rs.120.
THE STORIES in this anthology give a lively picture of the distressed state of the people of Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh. Known for his insight, Kethu Viswanatha Reddy penetrates deep into the details of the prevailing conditions of poor agriculturists and labourers.
Humiliating zamindars, caste-biased political leaders, tactful managements of cement factories and business centres with vested interests are some of the causes for economic and social disorders as revealed in these stories. Politicians bargain for votes from innocent and illiterate voters. Student unions in colleges where regionalism, linguistic and religious dogmas have no place also play a significant role utilising a variety of masks. How bureaucrats misuse their power even in holy places is an interesting narration.
There are stories to illustrate bomb culture, hatred killings and atrocities against political opponents and the oppressed class. Besides bloodsucking landlords inflicting all kinds of cruelty on their workers, the mafia controls the life of innocent people. Distressed and disappointed youth protest against age-old slavery. They become naxalites to fight against the discrimination in society. Human relationship, social and political whirls as portrayed in these stories make a mockery of democracy.
The translator has an easy access to social and other varieties of Rayalaseema dialect.
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