>
> Since I am not familiar with galpikalu by other authors, I don't know
> whether alternate definitions are possible.
>
I too do not remember any other Telugu writer using the term
'galpikalu'. Though koku's galpikalu included in the collective works
series date back to at least the 1940s, I am not sure that he used that
term that early. It is my speculation (and open for modification by any
knowledgeable netter's correction) that the word 'galpika' was coined by
koku in late 60s for the one page sketches that he began publishing in
the 'yuva' monthly; and that the editor (kEtu viSwanaatha reDDy) included
koku's earlier, similar works (i.e., short satirical pieces) under the
galpikalu category. Koku has written other satires ('dibba' series of
stories, for example) that are much longer, that are usually included
among the stories collections.
Regards. --- V. Chowdary Jampala
PS: I seem to have missed the post that Panini garu was responding to.