First, I would want to start with something that is at my reading and
also at my intellectual level, something that I can finish reading
without the need for a teacher or a dictionary, something that would
engage my attention.
I am thinking of the following:
For poetry, I would start with the anthology, 'vaitaaLikulu', collected
by muddukRUshNa. This has poetry of 1930s-1950s from almost every major
writer of that period, most of them can be read and enjoyed by a novice.
Anybody who can understand spoken Telugu should be able to find a few
pieces that they can enjoy. Then, depending on what they liked, they can
find their own direction.
For prose, I would probably recommend the following to begin with:
One book each from the following writers (I am suggesting a book that I
think would be a good starter): The early works of (muppaLLa)
ranganayakamma - I would suggest balipeeTham, yaddanapooDi sulOchanaa
raaNi's Secretary, muLLapooDi's iddarammaayiloo-muggurabbaayiloo,
raaviSaastri's baakee kathalu, yanDamoori's abhilaasha, koDavaTiganTi
kuTumbaraavu's caduvu or jeevitam, and may be aDivi baapiraaju's
himabindu.
Depending on what one liked in this fare, one can branch out to a lot
more.
I would probably also subscribe to a popular magazine, say aandhraprabha
weekly.
My rationale for the above is as follows. We are not at an age where
chandamama kathalu and lower grade telugu vaacakaalu will keep our
interest. To read and understand older poetry (with the exception of
vEmana and baddena) without the aid of a teacher or a dictionary is
difficult. I am not a kid growing up in AP,who learned these poems as a
matter of course, and had a Telugu maasTaaru explaining the language of
panchatantramu or manucaritra. (We all learned quite a bit of classical
Telugu quite ubiquitously).
However, if one starts with readable contemporary literature
that they can continue to read even if they don't understand a few words
here and a few words there, there is a higher chance of continuing with
the habit. As one's vocabulary improves, then one can go to both the
classical and the postmodern literature as the tastes dictate.
PS: yarramseTTi Saayi's works vary widely in their quality and
readability. If I liked muLLapooDi, then I would go with a few others of
the humorous/ satirical genre and that would definitely include Saayi.
PPS: If the intention was to read the best Telugu has to offer, I would
go about it in a different manner.
regards. -- V. Chowdary Jampala