Let your stories fill women with courage

Says this fiery fighter, committed teacher, former censor board member, eminent writer and critic. Dr Vasa Prabhavathi is a multi-faceted personality. The 76-year-old whose works are inspired by patriotic fervour and rooted in realism is the winner of the Kala Ratna- Hamsa award for literature given by the Andhra Pradesh government. The spirited writer shared her thoughts in her frank and forthright style

You have carved a special place for yourself in the Telugu literary firmament. What inspired you to take up writing?
I grew up in an Agraharam (exclusive residential area for Brahmins) in Athreyapuram in East. Godavari district and received the benefit of high school education thanks to my father who was an eminent Congress leader and freedom fighter. I watched my father sit on the verandah sipping tea and reading the newspaper while my mother slogged in the kitchen. My first poem reflected this struggle and I decided to pursue higher education as it was my dream to ‘relax like my father’ and not be limited to the kitchen. After graduating from High school I got married and moved to Hyderabad, completing my MA, Phd and a diploma in linguistics before joining VanitaMahavidyalaya as Telugu lecturer. My first story was titled “NyayamGuddidi” (justice is blind) and I have written nearly 50 books till date.

You are the President of the exclusive forum for women writers called “Lekhini”. What progress have you achieved over the years and what are the changes since two Telugu states came into existence?
From its inception in 2005 Lekhini has grown to become a 100 member organization with members from all Telugu speaking states. We have brought out two compilations of books titled “Nenu—Naarachanalu” where women writers talk about their work and an anthology of 100 stories by women. Through regular programmes and interaction involving the Central and state SahityaAkademis we have emerged as important forum to exchange ideas and provide encouragement to women writers.

There are many changes in the new state of Telangana where eminent women writers are sidelined due to regional bias.At the World Telugu Conference conducted by the government, many senior writers were ignored on the ground that they originally hailed from Andhra Pradesh. It is sixty years since I came to Hyderabad and yet I am treated as an outsider. Those who wrote just one poem or story were honoured and given huge amounts of money at the conference venue.

You have never shied away from expressing your views or taking up cudgels for a cause. Aren’t you afraid of making enemies?
It is not my nature to put up with injustice and I have been at the forefront of social causes. As president of theMalakpetMahilaSamajam I encourage cultural and literary activities and also ensure that women remain empowered. Many alcoholics and wife beaters mended their ways when I threatened to put them behind bars.

I supported writer MuppallaRanganayakamma when her story was passed off as her own by fellow writer K. Ramalakshmi. My scathing essay on the issue was cited by Justice Jeevan Reddy while imposing a ban on the film “Gorintaku“ based on this film.When Devipriya argued that Yaddanpoodi novels had spoilt many middleclass girls I challenged him to cite examples to prove his point and he had no answer. I am not afraid that I will make enemies because my arguments are truthful and logical.

Do you see literature as a vehicle of social change?
I definitely believe that writing that doesn’t set an agenda for social change is worthless. In my book on “Telugu women in the Freedom struggle” I have written about DuvvuriSubbamma a widow who was asked to pay tax for selling Khadi cloth and when confronted by British soldiers removed the pallu covering her shaven head telling them “this is all I have’. Look at the courage of this woman who was one of the first to get arrested for her defiance during the freedom movement. These are portraits that have a message for people. Writing cannot be merely for entertainment.

What is your message for aspiring women writers?
Let your stories fill women with courage and empower them. I personally want to be born as a woman again and again. I have said this in my poem “Aadavaripedavulu chirunavvulu vedajalle varaku… Punarjanmantoo vunte… Mallimalli pudathaa adadaanigaa’ (If I have rebirths, I would like to be born as a woman many a time until I see a smile on their lips).