Swearing by the roots

Journalist-turned-author Vuppala Narasimham in a freewheeling chat shares his tryst with writing

He is the upholder of the traditional literary form-short stories. However, when it comes to keeping pace with the changing times, he is a big advocate of the digital era wherein he strongly calls upon everyone to be tech-savvy and staying updated with technological advancements.

Meet VuppalaNarasimham, who has been living the childhood dream of being a writer. Endowed with a natural flair for letters, he penned his first short story when he was barely 15 years of age! Thus motivated, he sharpened his nib and stood by the people as a journalist, who aspired to ring in societal changes that could make the lives of everyone meaningful and purposeful.

“I have always believed that education is a pre-requisite for any individual to make a mark in life. In fact, it is the essence if people wish to contribute to the nation-building exercise,” points out the soft-spoken Narasimham, who remains an unknown face to the world but is respected in the literary field for the volume of qualitative work he has produced.

A most touching aspect of his writing has been the manner he has dealt the rise and growth of Naxalism (Maoism), he has been forceful (all his writings have a signature style to them) in his arguments and how he raises several points with regard to the subject. He has won bouquets and brickbats in equal measure for his left-wing criticism.

“I have forever wished that the disgruntled youth should not fall prey to the ‘struggle’ propaganda that runs through the neighbourhood. It is for this reason that I have promoted education, including running night schools so that the vulnerable sections could be weaned from such machinations,” explains the journalist-writer, whose initial writings revolved around villages and rustic life. His first book aptly titled ‘Matti Manishi’ as was a compilation of the short stories that were published in various newspapers and magazines.

The stories are vivid presentations of the working class and suppressed sections and their struggles to make ends meet. Each had an over-bearing Telangana flavour to it.

“I cherish the accolades that have come my way from luminaries of the calibre of Kaloji Narayan Rao and ABK Prasad. Kaloji was always with people and their problems. He even condemned the violence of the Maoists,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Honours have also come his way with the most notable one being ‘NutalapatiGangadharam Literary Award’ in 1987 for his work ‘Tiragabadda Bhumi’.

Narsimham subsequently released another anthology of stories, ‘Matti Manishi-UppalaNarasimhamKathalu’.

While working in Madras (now, Chennai) he founded ‘Katha Vedika’ to promote budding writers.
“Telugu people, who are living away from their State have a penchant for their mother-tongue. Our efforts were fruitful. We could bring out some anthologies of stories written by new writers,” Narsimham proudly told The Hans India. With his strenuous efforts, he succeeded in promoting short story writing in Telugu.

A native of DevarYamjal village near Shameerpet in the outskirts of Hyderabad, he established DevarYamjal Development Society (DDS) to carry out and supervise social activities. Narsimham witnessed the computer evolution in India while working in Bangalore. Seeing the resourcefulness of this innovation, he got hooked on to it.

“I am publishing a colourful magazine ‘Wifi Telangana’, which is distributed free of cost. The journal contains information about computers and latest developments in the IT sectors. The students and youth in remote areas can get attracted by computers,” he hopes.

“Destruction and violence hinder the progress of any nation. The youth must be guided to the saner path so that they become career-conscious. In a way, this can help cleanse the society,” Narsimham reasons.

The versatile VuppalaNarasimham remains largely unknown to the people but then given his commitment to serve the society he is least bothered about such salutations. And that is perhaps what keeps the unsung hero going.

By:Dr G Balakrishna