Monograph in Telugu on PV ‘With a Difference’ : A Review by Jwala Narasimha Rao Vanam

 Monograph in Telugu on PV ‘With a Difference’ 

Authored by Apparusu Krishna Rao

A Review by Jwala Narasimha Rao Vanam

Writing and publishing a concise, precise, and comprehensive hundred page ‘Monograph with a Difference’ on a ‘Towering Personality’ of the caliber of former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, an individual who rose above everybody else in his character, capacity, and capability, out of which, choosing the angle of his Distinguished Literary Facet, is simply astounding. The Author ‘Apparusu Krishna Rao’ appropriately mentioned that, though PV Narasimha Rao’s main career was politics, he always evinced keen interest in the pursuit of language and literature.  

Undoubtedly, it is beyond and beyond the purview and reach of any ordinary author to attempt this type of difficult task. Such a laudable effort is possible to only few persons like ‘Apparusu Krishna Rao,’ whose intellect as is known to his near and far, is a combination of ‘Poetry, Literary Criticism, Journalism, and writing Political Column for over three decades. Krishna Rao to his credit is a recipient of umpteen literary awards, including the prestigious ‘Central Sahitya Academy Award for Translation Work.’ 

The effort put up by Krishna Rao to write ‘The Quint Essential Rebel’ might not have been as enormous as the present thought provoking and research-oriented Monograph on PV Literary Excellence. The Monograph broadly but as detailed as possible, touched PV’s literary expertise in Indian languages like Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Odia, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Urdu, as well as foreign languages like English, French, Arabic, Spanish, German, and Persian. Given the space constraint of just hundred pages limit, Krishna Rao preferred condensing few details. A Great Effort Indeed, reminding Shakespeare quote that, ‘Brevity is the soul of wit.’ 

At the outset, the author touched the genesis of PV’s Literary interest, that was influenced during British India and Nizam’s Hyderabad State, both of which were separate entities. Being a witness to the then prevailing political, social, cultural, literary movements and corresponding developments, writes the author that, PV extensively read Indian languages and learnt foreign languages to understand their literature. This enabled PV in assimilating questioning attitude, patriotic thinking, understanding societal issues, and globalization perspective. 

According to Krishna Rao, PV developed interest in literature at an early school going age when he wrote grammatic poetry (‘Chandassu’), stories, plays etc. PV translated in to Telugu the all-time great poem ‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’ by Gray, which was already translated by then in to 260 languages. During that formative years, PV Narasimha Rao, Kaloji Narayana Rao, and their literature teacher Garlapati Raghava Reddy were spending time in ‘Sacchidananda Ashram’ over literary discussions referring to ancient and contemporary great poets’ writings. 

According to Krishna Rao, Raghava Reddy introduced to PV writings of these Telugu poets, and in turn PV introduced Raghava Reddy to English writers. PV acknowledged in the introduction to his book ‘Insider’ that it was Garlapati who was instrumental in enthusing him to read the Great Indian Literary Tradition and Culture. Gradually PV because of his association with State and National Leaders, got interest in other literary works, that included, ‘Mother’ by Maxim Gorky, and works of Tagore, Sarat, Prem Chand, Victor Hugo, Alexander Dumas etc.

Krishna Rao wrote that, while PV was in Nagpur and Puna for studies, he learnt Marathi Language, and read extensively. PV also translated from Marathi to Telugu few writings besides. contributing articles to local papers. During that time only, he read Karl Marx, HG Wells, and other western intellectual writings. He was influenced by them, but objectively. He wrote an article on Bengal Famine. Encouraged by Devulapalli Ramanuja Rao, he read writings of Visvanatha Satyanarayana.

PV while in Warangal, writes Krishna Rao, that he was attracted to literary and cultural moments aimed at liberating Hyderabad State. He participated in literary activities like Library Conferences, Poetic Meets, and Writers’ conferences. During 1945-47 PV as part of his extensive study read the works of English, Russian, and French Intellects like Thomas Carlyle, John Ruskin, Francis Bacon, Lenin, Guy de Maupassant, Honoré de Balzac etc. as well as Omar Khayyam. 

Browsing through the book, and as part of PV’s ‘Interesting Literary Milestones,’ in 1948 PV in association with Pamulaparthi Sadashiva Rao started ‘Kakatiya’ weekly in which he wrote articles, stories, analysis etc. with pen name ‘Jaya-Vijaya.’ His highly popular story ‘Golla Ramavva’ was published in Kakatiya with a byline Vijaya.  After reading Visvanatha Magnum Opus ‘Veyi Pdagalu’ PV translated into Hindi as ‘Sahasra Phan.’ 

The whitepaper in 1968 in Assembly on ‘Official Language’ presented by PV started with the sentence that, ‘The Foundation of Democracy lies in conducting Government Affairs in the Language of the People’ which received tremendous applauds from many. When PV was Chief Minister, during Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Indian Independence, he read a lengthy poem at midnight, the initial lines of which goes like, ‘He abandoned the dormant night and awakened; stretching his body, opening his eyes, and rising with a OH sound; He ventured into the dense darkness of the deep forest; igniting the flames of true hunger that soared high into the skies.’ 

An interesting instance written by Krishna Rao was that, after seeing the ‘Movie Aadmi’ directed by V Shantaram, PV was inspired (The story is about a policeman who marries a sex worker in order to better her life but is faced by an unforgiving society. It was named as the Best Indian Film), wrote instantaneously a cinema story, and posted to Shantaram! Before starting ‘Kakatiya’ weekly, in English PV wrote the story ‘Blue Silk saree’ against the background and context of communal rites. 

After a long gap of writing his most popular story ‘Golla Ramavva’ PV wrote a large story titled ‘Mangaiah’s Fortune’ in Telugu, which was published in Andhra Prabha Weekly in November 1999. His satirical story ‘The Forgotten Briefcase’ reflecting the functioning of ‘Congress party High Command’ was based on PV’s personal political (bad?) experience. Yet another interesting story also a political satire was ‘The Guest’ depicting the political maneuvers at Delhi level with the help of attenders! When PV wrote a story titled ‘Cabinet Expansion’ the whole of Parliament Central hall was filled with rumors of all sorts. With the theme of Biennial Elections to Legislative Council, another satire that PV wrote, namely, ‘The Secret of the ballot’ was an eye opener to politicians.

Krishna Rao also made a mention to, PV’s ‘The Insider’ almost like a Book Review; his introduction to Vanamamalai Varadacharylu’s Book on Potanna and few more such introductions; his memorable speech at the release of compilation of Kopparapu Poets’ works authored by their grandson Maa Sharma; his intellectual address when Central Sahitya Academy organized a literary program when he was Prime Minister in 1992; views about PV as expressed by many etc.      

The author aptly described PV that, behind his incessant literary and cultural personality, there existed the ‘Turbulent Social Environment.’ Krishna Rao also expressed the view that, if only PV had little more time at his disposal, he would have attempted many more literary works, not only in one language but in several languages including foreign. Author Krishna Rao also touched relevant aspects of PV’s political journey wherever they had forward and or backward linkages for authenticity and appropriateness. 

I am privileged to receive a copy of this unique book from the Author on Saturday, the December 4, 2025 in a small get together in Hyderabad. The others who participated are: Besides Krishna Rao, K Srinivas, K Ramachandra Murthy, Maa Sharma, Apparusu Srinivas, Nandiraju Radhakrishna, and Bhandaru Srinivasa Rao. PV Prabhakar Rao son of PV Narasimha Rao is Special Attraction. We all enjoyed the evening chitchatting several contemporary issues in addition to talking about the Book by Krishna Rao. Thank You Krishna Rao for creating a literary environment.