I noticed this phenomenon on my last visit to India in '93 winter. I paid the
customary visit to the viSaalaandhraa book store in Hyderabad and was surprised
to see almost a complete range of classics including chilakamarti's "gaNapati",
sri paada's story collections, almost all the works of gurajaaDa ( e.g.
konDubhaTTeeyam, bilhaNeyam (?) ) etc. I asked a friend who was supposed to be
in the know, and his explanation was that copyrights for many of these classics
had just expired and now what costs the publisher is just the paper and ink. I
can not say how far this is true. In my opinion there could be other reasons:
for example, these days it is lot easier (probably cheaper also) to typeset
than it used to be thanks to PCs. Also, they could be using cheaper paper to
cut costs - at least most of the ones i browsed through did. so, basically,
the publishers are able to keep prices low and readers are willing to buy these
novels and story anthologies even when there is a public library within 10
miles. Finally, people used to trust the magazine editors to select at
least average literature for their reading. (I think until "swaati" started
flaunting its circulation figures, one could expect to read reasonably good
stories in "Andhra prabha" and "Andhra jyoti".) Now, the readers are looking
upto people like vaasireDDi naveen to separate literature from junk.
From the writers' perspective, besides "racana" there is no appropriate
vehicle for their writings and they may be choosing to publish their own
works. ( The fact that "katha" series is full of stories that originally
appeared in "racana" may support my point.) Of course my last point would be
valid only if "racana" has an excess supply of good literature and the
rejection rate is high. I haven't had a chance to read "racana" of late,
and I appreciate if someone could share some (possibly inside) info.
regards,
- rao