Prestige Books International, New Delhi, has brought out “Voice of a Dalit: The Poetry of Darla Venkateswara Rao”. It is the English translation of Nemali Kannulu, the Telugu source text. Dr.J.Bheemaiah has translated and introduced the book. The first copy of the volume was given to Prof. Appa Rao Podile, Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad. He congratulated both the poet and the translator. Prof. Aruna Kumari, Head of the Department of Telugu and Prof. Tummala Ramakrishna, former Head of the Department also congratulated both the writer and the translator.
About the Poet
Professor Darla Venkateswara Rao teaches Telugu literature in the Department of Telugu at the Central University of Hyderabad. He is an eminent poet who has published 16 books such as Srijanatmaka Rachanalu Cheyadam Elaa? {2005}, Veechika (2009), Punarmoolyankanam (2010), Bahujana Sahitya Drikpatham {2012), Sahiti Moortulu-Spoortulu (2015) etc., which focus on literary criticism. He has set a new trend in poetry by introducing novelty both in content and expression. This manifests his significant contribution to the Indian poetry. Dr. Rao has published several research papers and critical essays on literary criticism. His books are highly recommended for research at various research centres across the country and abroad. Some research has already been carried out on his poetry in Presidency College, University of Madras, Chennai. University teachers and researchers of various academic institutions of Telugu States have written analytical essays and published in leading journals. His poems have also been published in English translation by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi and Oxford University Press, New Delhi. He also received the best literary award from Sri Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad and the Chancellors Award from the University of Hyderabad. This award comprises a citation for recognition and a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh meant for academic activities and also he was conferred Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Award by the Bharatiya Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, for his vibrant contribution to the field of criticism and research. He has attended several national and international academic events. He has extensively published in all leading daily, weekly and monthly magazines/academic journals.
About the Translator
Dr. J. Bheemaiah teaches at the Centre for Comparative Literature, School of Humanities, Central University of Hyderabad. He has published three full-length books: Class and Caste in Literature (2005), Asamaanathalu Adhikaaraalu (2006), Tracing Traits: A Comparative Study of Hamlet and Chivaraku Migiledi (2007) including one in Telugu, and two edited books, Dalits and Social Marginalization (2012) and Counter-Writing: Dalits and other Subalterns (2015), on the burning social issues of the marginalized sections of society. Besides attending national and international seminars/conferences, he has published several research articles in various national and international journals. Presently he is working on socio-cultural issues of the Telangana tribals.
The volume offers asset of poems by the renowned poet Prof. Darla Venkateswara Rao, Department of Telugu, UoH. Intervene with childhood memories, the poems are marked by deep intensity and emotion, evoking pleasant and unpleasant past as also giving expression to the current social issues. Each poem is a pearl that enshrines individual freedom, social equality and dignity of human life. The poet’s use of myths and legends drawn from the epics like Mahabharata, enlightens the reader to understand as to how the poet, endowed with the knowledge of ancient lore, brings its relevance into his poetry to contemporize social life. His poetry is a powerful document for the audience who see the poet’s life as their own. This amalgam of reader-writer entity is the hallmark of Darla’s poetry.