K Damodar Rao

Followers

523

Following

Co-authors

Public Views

Retired from the Dept of English, Kakatiya University, Warangal, Telangana, India.
Address: B-308, Saiprakash Apts, Balasamudram, Hanumakonda - 506001

less

Kesava Kumar

University of Delhi

K. Satyanarayana

The English and Foreign Languages University

Kakatiya University

Kakatiya University

Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Learnings

raghav biduru

Dr. Rajkumar Eligedi

The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad

Mamidi Harikrishna

Tariq Khan

Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL)

InterestsView All (13)

Uploads

Papers by K Damodar Rao

Kakatiya Journal of English Studies Vol. 31 (2012)

Department of English, Kakatiya University, Warangal, 2012

KJES with special focus on 'Diversity in New Literatures' based on the proceedings of Internation... more

Download

Out of Coverage Area, short story collection by Pasunoori Ravinder in English translation edited by K. Damodar Rao

Panther's Paw Publication , 2023

In Pasunnori Ravinder’s Out of Coverage Area, the stories present varied experiences of Dalits. D... more In Pasunnori Ravinder’s Out of Coverage Area, the stories present varied experiences of Dalits. Dalit literature, in general, focusses on the processes of suffering-awareness-assertion in different genres, forms. What makes this work stand apart is its focus mainly on the experiences of Dalits in an urban setting with rural moorings. The educated or employed dalit youth experiencing tricky situations on account of their caste and background in metropolitan cities is not uncommon and the stories effectively capture the suffering, sense of hurt and modes of assertion in an evocative manner. The urban-rural settings of the stories make the readers assess whether the changes have really taken place in the lives of Dalits. The 14 stories in the volume have been edited by me, rendered into English by 8 translators.

Download

Review of Indian Fiction and Multiculturalism by Arnab Kumar Sinha

Indian Fiction and Multiculturalism: Review

While discussing various conceptual issues linked with the term "multiculturalism," Conrad Willia... more While discussing various conceptual issues linked with the term "multiculturalism," Conrad William Watson argues that there are certain specific political, cultural, religious, economic, demographic and historical factors which influence nations to adopt different policies for achieving a multicultural setup (16). Watson refers to nations like the UK, USA, Japan, France, China and India to exemplify the problems involved in implementing policies that apparently express the intent of achieving the goal of multiculturalism, but, in reality, they seek to oppose the philosophical foundation of multiculturalism. Thus, according to Watson, multiculturalism is a complex phenomenon, predicated on the idea of "liberalism" and "the principle of cultural relativism" (11-12). The Indian scenario in the context of multiculturalism presents a typical case where caste, religion and class intersect to complicate the perspective of multiculturalism. Centred on the history of multiculturalism in India, J. Yellaiah and K. Damodar

Download

Foreword to Marvellous Melody Makers by Elanaaga

An aesthete is mesmerized, and enthralls others, by the magic of 'entwining fine yarn of notes ar... more An aesthete is mesmerized, and enthralls others, by the magic of 'entwining fine yarn of notes around our hearts' (poem on Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan). When such an aesthete is enamoured of the touch of genius of an artist or the genial manners/kindness of an individual he feels elevated, feels his day is electrified, and his world fructified. That is when he also feels an urge to go beyond that state, reason being that he feels elevated yet discontented, electrified yet filled with dark patches, fructified but not wholesome. That is the point when he feels compelled to share his ecstasy. An aesthete's creative expression flows from this urge to share his joy with the world. A selfless urge, with a raider: A sense of fulfilment pervades his universe, and expects his audience to experience the same much like a classical singer.

Download

The Present Justifies the Future

Poetry requires courage, both reading and writing. Writing, of course, all the more. And a person... more Poetry requires courage, both reading and writing. Writing, of course, all the more. And a person with a lineage of two illustrious families must have immense courage to write poetry with their presence looming large. The fame associated with the family background and its attendant inhibitions normally impinge one's attempts in that direction. To overcome that challenge, emerge as a talented poet and make a mark, in such a scenario, is a remarkable achievement. Kondapally Neeharini could accomplish this with innate talent and sustained effort. She is the daughter of Pendyala Raghava Rao, an illustrious writer-scholarparliamentarian from Chinapendiyal of Warangal district in Telangana. And she is the daughter-in-law of Kondapally Sheshagiri Rao, the famous painter of international repute from Warangal district. The drive to create something anew enables one to overcome the odds imposed by the aura of family and tradition. If the drive is tempered with originality and creativity it enables one to stand apart. K. Neeharini's poetry needs to be examined from this standpoint. Intimidating as it may seem, the family reputation didn't seem to hinder the creative capability of Neeharini. On the other, it appears it has only added substance and sustenance to her imaginative curiosity. As a tribute to the two stalwarts she wrote biographies of her two great family members besides four poetry volumes. Kala Prabhanjanam (2021) is her latest poetry volume the translation of which is undertaken by the renowned poet-translator, Elanaaga. The title of the collection, Tempest of Time is metaphorical and evocative. It is suggestive of the time-frames in terms of festivities and nostalgia in relation to land and life. The time frames also include vagaries and uncertainties that humans have to contend/reconcile with in the current situation. Besides, there is the society that appears to be on your side but may not be that friendly, rather unsupportive. If the world is poised against the individual it leads to alienation and if the nature too joins in becoming a hostile force, it's double alienation for the individual. The poetry collection, as such, deals with forces seen and unseen, favourable and unfavourable, friendly and hostile, alienation and double marginalisation. The poet, consequently, attempts to capture the different moods and occasions, both bright and dark, as well as festivities unique to the land. In a poem titled "Special Warrior" the poet celebrates the labour of a farmer who sustains the people here as elsewhere and in all ages. But the problems he faces here are aplenty. When the yield is good his heart dances with joy. But, "He has to escape from many a thing:" From seeds,

Download

Introduction to Anklets

The Haiku, with its brevity, 'epiphanic' moments, and flashpoint illuminations, has emerged as on... more The Haiku, with its brevity, 'epiphanic' moments, and flashpoint illuminations, has emerged as one of the most popular poetic forms for many centuries, more so in recent times. The haiku poetry is essentially about Nature, throwing light on its multifarious aspects, and capturing it in all its glory with pinpoint flashes. But it is wrong to deduce that it is merely nature poetry. This type of poetry is characterized by condensed wisdom. Many modern poets including Alan Watts, Robert Hass and Jack Kerouac have been influenced by the form. There are haiku

Download

Culture of a Capital Society Foretold

Sripada (1891-1961) is a renowned Telugu short story writer. He portrayed the lives and customs o... more Sripada (1891-1961) is a renowned Telugu short story writer. He portrayed the lives and customs of Telugu people in a realistic manner tinged with his characteristic humour and sarcasm. His selection of themes, narrative style, dialogue and characterization bear his unique mark that had left a deep impact on generations of Telugu readers and critics. He wrote about 75 stories and most of them are pretty long and could be described as novellas. "Margadarshi" (Role Model/Pioneer) is one such novella running into more than 50 pages. The story follows a unique pattern. It is a long speech given by the protagonist, Cheburu Shambhu Shastry, on the skills of survival in changed times. It is replete with the speaker's experiences and events in his past life, and the formulations he deduced from them. The core of the speech revolves around the story of his struggles and his diligence that helped him find a way through difficult times. The narration is in conversation tone, rather a monologue mode with a silent listener as his audience whom he addresses frequently in the process of giving life-lessons. Though written in 1930s, the story as-long-lecture with its emphasis on convert-adversity-intoadvantage motto reads like a modern Management module. True to Sripada's style, the narrative is interspersed with his inimitable, gentle wit, sarcasm and humor.

Download

Kakatiya Journal of English Studies - 36 (2017)

who put in untiring efforts in sustaining the KJES despite many odds, and at a time when computer... more who put in untiring efforts in sustaining the KJES despite many odds, and at a time when computers were not in vogue. The second and third generation teachers have continued the tradition. The cooperation of the university authorities as well as the participation of the Faculty members helped the Department journal to chart such a long journey.

Download

Multiculturalism and the Indian Tradition

Bharatiya Prajna: an Interdisciplinary Journal of Indian Studies, 2016

Multiculturalism in Indian Tradition and Literature

Atlantic Publishers, New Delhi, 2016

The anthology studies multiculturalism in Indian society and Literature as evidenced in the work... more The anthology studies multiculturalism in Indian society and Literature as evidenced in the works of Raja Rao, Khushwant Singh, Rushdie, Arundhati Roy, Amitav Ghosh and others. It includes wide ranging topics such as Shiva canon, bhakti as countr-cultural discourse, contribution of Prsian Sufism to Indian litrature and dalit litratur.

Download

Dasarathi's Fire Flowers and Other Stories

Telanagana Sahitya Akademi, 2020

Foreword to Dasarathi Krshnamacharya's short stories translated into English by Elanaaga

Download

High in the Sky at Vishnupada by M. Rajagopalacharya

AuthorsPress, 2020

Afterword to Prof. M. Rajagopalacharya's book, High in the Sky at Vishnupada, an anthology of se... more

Download

The Fruit and Other Stories by Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao

Writers Workshop, 2010

Foreword to Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao's Story Collection

Download

Human Touch and Other Poems by N. S. Rachakonda

Foreword to Rachakonda Narasimha Sarma's poetry collection, Human Touch and Other Poems

Download

Translated Anthologies from Telugu: Cover Pages

Telugu Poets (117) in translation (Pride of Place, 2011), Telangana Movement Poetry in two volume... more Telugu Poets (117) in translation (Pride of Place, 2011), Telangana Movement Poetry in two volumes, Scent of the Soil with 83 poems (2012) and Ode to Frontline Formations with 154 poems (2013).
An Ecopoetry anthology, A Green Garland, jointly edited with Mamidi Harikrishna was published in 2018 with 110 poems.
Short Fiction from Telangana in two volumes, Telangana Harvest with 50 short stories (in 2017 co-edited with Mamidi Harikrishna) covering the period from 1912 to 2011 and Astitva with 35 stories (in 2019 jointly edited with Nandini Sidhareddy and Elanaaga).

Download

Contours of Telugu Poety Today

Telugu poetry scene as recounted and presented in a meeting organised by the Sahitya Akademi at C... more

Download

Narrative Strategies in Mahasweta Devi's Story, Dhouli

Kakatiya Journal of English Studies. Vol. 30 , 2011

As many of Mahasweta Devi's activist writings reveal with documentary realism, one wonders wheth... more As many of Mahasweta Devi's activist writings reveal with documentary realism, one wonders whether fact is stranger than fiction. In fact, the situation in these parts of the country is so inhumanly bizarre that Mahasweta has to invent new narrative techniques. Out of the four stories included in Outcast, the first story, “Dhouli” is taken up here for a closer examination of the narrative strategies Mahasweta employed in depicting her fictional concerns.

Download

Life and Times of Ismat Chughtai

Kakatiya Journal of English Studies, 2011

A reference point for feminist perspective in Urdu literature for long, with the publication of E... more A reference point for feminist perspective in Urdu literature for long, with the publication of English translations of a few of her works, Ismat Chughtai assumed a powerful voice in gender studies in Indian literatures. An important aspect of her fictional substance is that when she began writing in the 1940s there was hardly any feminist writing proper in the West. Margaret Atwood, Simone de Beauvoir, the icons of western feminism appeared much later. Any discussion of ‘gendering Indian narratives’ would be incomplete without an analysis of Ismat Chughtai’s work. She grew up in the face of many constraints: She was a woman, a Muslim, and a writer with a penchant for uninhibited portrayal of feelings. This essay examines some of the events mentioned in her non-fictional work, "My Friend, My Enemy" translated by Tahira Naqvi.

Download

Index to Kakatiya Journal of English Studies Volumes 1-36

Dept of English, KU, Warangal, 2017

Kakatiya Journal of English Studies was sustained by pooling the individual research grant of tea... more Kakatiya Journal of English Studies was sustained by pooling the individual research grant of teachers of the Department. It started with the pioneering initiative by Late Prof. Satyanaraian Singh, Founder-Head of the Department of English, KU, when in March 1976 he brought out its first volume, a Special Number on Rabindranath Tagore. He followed it up with a Special number on Mulk Raj Anand in 1977 the launching of which was organized on a grand scale at Kakatiya Medical College, a memorable event graced by the noted novelist himself. The Head of Department happens to be the Editor of the journal. On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Department (1967-2017) 'Index to KJES' is a tribute to the first generation teachers, Prof. Satyanarain Singh, Prof. S. Laxmana Murthy, Prof. A. Jaganmohana Chari, Prof. P. Shiv Kumar, Prof. C. Varada Chary and Prof. D. Ramakrishna who put in untiring efforts in sustaining the KJES despite many odds, and at a time when computers were not in vogue. The second and third generation teachers have continued the tradition. The cooperation of the university authorities as well as the participation of the Faculty members helped the Department journal to chart such a long journey.

Download

Telangana Struggle and the Literature of Combat

In liberation aesthetics or combat literature the first phase is marked by a celebration of nativ... more In liberation aesthetics or combat literature the first phase is marked by a celebration of native history, culture and glorification of its heroes. This is the phase of reclamation and re-creation. The second phase is marked by protest literature, the many forms of resistance against neo-colonial policies of exploitation. This introduction to the anthology of 83 poems translated from Telugu, "Scent of the Soil", traces the Telangana ethos and its struggle for statehood for many decades that culminated in its formation in June, 2014.

Download

Kakatiya Journal of English Studies Vol. 31 (2012)

Department of English, Kakatiya University, Warangal, 2012

KJES with special focus on 'Diversity in New Literatures' based on the proceedings of Internation... more

Download

Out of Coverage Area, short story collection by Pasunoori Ravinder in English translation edited by K. Damodar Rao

Panther's Paw Publication , 2023

Download

Review of Indian Fiction and Multiculturalism by Arnab Kumar Sinha

Indian Fiction and Multiculturalism: Review

Download

Foreword to Marvellous Melody Makers by Elanaaga

Download

The Present Justifies the Future

Download

Introduction to Anklets

Download

Culture of a Capital Society Foretold

Download

Kakatiya Journal of English Studies - 36 (2017)

Download

Multiculturalism and the Indian Tradition

Bharatiya Prajna: an Interdisciplinary Journal of Indian Studies, 2016

Multiculturalism in Indian Tradition and Literature

Atlantic Publishers, New Delhi, 2016

Download

Dasarathi's Fire Flowers and Other Stories

Telanagana Sahitya Akademi, 2020

Foreword to Dasarathi Krshnamacharya's short stories translated into English by Elanaaga

Download

High in the Sky at Vishnupada by M. Rajagopalacharya

AuthorsPress, 2020

Afterword to Prof. M. Rajagopalacharya's book, High in the Sky at Vishnupada, an anthology of se... more

Download

The Fruit and Other Stories by Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao

Writers Workshop, 2010

Foreword to Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao's Story Collection

Download

Human Touch and Other Poems by N. S. Rachakonda

Foreword to Rachakonda Narasimha Sarma's poetry collection, Human Touch and Other Poems

Download

Translated Anthologies from Telugu: Cover Pages

Download

Contours of Telugu Poety Today

Telugu poetry scene as recounted and presented in a meeting organised by the Sahitya Akademi at C... more

Download

Narrative Strategies in Mahasweta Devi's Story, Dhouli

Kakatiya Journal of English Studies. Vol. 30 , 2011

Download

Life and Times of Ismat Chughtai

Kakatiya Journal of English Studies, 2011

Download

Index to Kakatiya Journal of English Studies Volumes 1-36

Dept of English, KU, Warangal, 2017

Download

Telangana Struggle and the Literature of Combat

Download

Astitva: Telugu Short Fiction from Telangana--Foreword, Introduction

by K Damodar Rao and Surendra Nagaraju

Telangana Sahitya Akademi, Hyderabad, 2019

Published by Telangana Sahitya Akademi with 35 short stories selected by a panel of experts in Te... more

Download

Life Weaves Cover

Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, 2024

Life-Weaves: Selected poems of N. Gopi was published by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi (2024). The tr... more

Download

Pride of Place: An Anthology of Telugu Poetry 1981-2000

A well-known critic-translator, he has to his credit a pioneering critical work, The Novels of Ay... more A well-known critic-translator, he has to his credit a pioneering critical work, The Novels of Aye Kwei Armah (1993) and twenty five articles in areas of African fiction and Indian fiction in English which are often cited in national and international publications. Along with two of his colleagues, he has edited an anthology of essays Postcolonial Theory and Literature published in 2003. He was the Associate Editor of the Kakatiya Journal of English Studies for seven volumes including special numbers on Mahasveta Devi, New Indian English Fiction, Representation of History in Indian Fiction in English. He has translated extensively from Telugu into English and his translated poems and short stories have been published in reputed literary journals. His other publications include five translated works,

Download

Ocean is My Name

Gunturu Seshendra Sharma Memorial Trust , 2014

A long poem by Seshendra, a wizard of words, in which he continued the theme of his quest for hi... more

Download

Review of Postcolonial Indian English Fiction by A Bhattacharya

by K Damodar Rao and Madabhushanam Rajagopalacharya

Asiatic, 2016

Download

Review of Postcolonial Indian English Fiction: Decentering the Nation by Ajay K Chaubey

Cafe Dissensus, 2017

Prior to the publication of Rushdie's Midnight's Children, G. V. Desani, in his novel, All About ... more Prior to the publication of Rushdie's Midnight's Children, G. V. Desani, in his novel, All About H. Hatter, used 'exotic, polyglotic, supranational themes' 1 in the tradition of Joyce's Ulysses, texts that decenter the nation and its history. Desani is considered to be the literary guru of Rushdie, Ghosh, and Sealy, among others. Rushdie says, "My own writing, too, learned a trick or two from him (Desani)." 2 But, post-Midnight's Children, writing fiction in history and history in fiction has been summumbonum for Indian writers of Anglophone fiction as the "historical narrative/ fictional narrative merges" (Wolfgang Iser quoted in Nayar of this volume, 185). However, presenting "national allegory" is one of the major techniques practised by them, especially after Rushdie. There is a host of such authors who have been overtly and covertly influenced by Midnight's Children and they have tried to follow and unfollow the technique of presenting Indian tradition, myths, culture and the socio-political history of postcolonial India in their creative feats from time to time. This phenomenon has been a matter of academic debate and many Indian academics have written, reiterated, ruminated, and offered theoretical postulations. As a result, a plethora of books, essays, and volumes have been published.

Download

Review of Indian Fiction and Multiculturalism by Arnab Kumar Sinha

Asaitic, 2018

Download

K Damodar Rao

Uploads

Papers by K Damodar Rao

Log In