>>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.
bharaagO, who has done his bit to help publish short story anthologies,
says in his new book, saradaa kathalu (commercial: avaialble from me with a
check for $18 to TANA) that short stroy anthologies do indeed sell, but it
takes a little time. He also demonstrates through several examples about the
current interest in short story anthologies.
A publisher friend told me that with the advent of DTP, it has become
easier to keep the masters for books likely to be reprinted. However, that does
not explain the new editions that need to be composed from scratch. Even the
copyrights expiration is not an adequate explanation because Sripada's books
are still the property of his family and mokkapati the same way (I am not
totally sure, but I can verify this). Most of the short story anthologies are
being published by the authors themselves than a regular publisher.
I think that, after a long starvation, there is a rebound buying binge.
This enthusiasm, may need to be tempered a bit now. Paper costs rose
significantly in the last six months. Navodaya, which planned a 300 page
commemorative book for the Bapu-Ramana golden jubilee, scaled down its plans
and came up with a book about half that size despite TANA's guarantee of a
minimum order (another commercial: $12; ;-)
An aside: No new 'naaTakam' has been published in Telugu in close to 8
years. Very few 'naaTika'lu were published during that period too.
>>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.
Andhra jyOti gave up a long time ago, and it seems to me that with the
change at helm (Sreekanta Sarma replacing vaakaaTi), Andhra Prabha may be
following suit.
>> 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.
Rachana also seemed to have suffered with the paper crisis and seems to
be spluttering.
I am told that the following are good places for a good short story:
rachana, aahvaanam, Telugu India Today (particularly the anniversary specials),
eenaDu sunday supplement, vipula, Andhra Prabha weekly. andhra bhoomi daily's
literary page is also a good source, it seems.
Regards. -- V. Chowdary Jampala