> --------------QUIZ - 4 (Theme: Novels)----------
>
> 1. One Mr. Subbarao's story published in "bhaarati" was the source
> for a famous film, considered to be a master piece and perhaps the
> best ever made in Telugu. Another good film had the title same as
> his famous novel, but has nothing to do with the novel.
> Who is the writer ? He is better known through his pen name.
> What is his pen name and real name ?
The real name of this subbaaraavu is Sivaraaju venkaTa subbaaraavu.
Pen name: bucchibaabu
The story made into film: I do not recall the full title, but I
think it goes something like "raayalavaari antaHpura...."
The film based on the above story: vaahini's malleeSwari
Title of a great bucchibbabu novel and an unrelated great
Telugu film: chivaraku migilEdi
related trivia:
Though buccibbau's story was the basis for malleeSwari, the film
credits do not acknowledge him. It is particularly surprising since
bucchibaabu and producer director B.N.Reddy were great friends
and continued to be so until buccibaabu's death.
Now my trivia question: bucchibaabu is the maternal uncle of another
Telugu genius famous by his pet name? who is he?
The film chivaraku migilEdi was based on a Bengali story. The
film was directed by guttaa raamineeDu, and starred Savitri, kaantaa
raavu, baalayya, prabhaakara reDDi (his debut), and haranath in a cameo
role. The film had great music by aswatthaama, and is considered by many
as featuring the finest acting performance ever by saavitri. This film
(rather, the Bengali version of it) was later remade into Hindi as
khaamoshi starring Waheeda, Dharmendra and Rajesh Khanna.
> 2. In the history of telugu novel literature, the first public novel
> competition was held in 1893 and two novels were awarded prizes.
> What are the names of those novels and their authors ?
I am not sure about this one. I think that chilakamarti lakshmee
narasimham pantulu won a novel competition about that time for karpoora
manjari.
> 3. This long time pravaasi in Russia, wrote the novel _ataDu - aame_
> using diary technique. What is his name ?
uppala lakshmaNaraavu.
We briefly discussed his works a couple of days ago.
I forgot to mention at that time that there was a fourth part to
ataDu-aame covering the period after independence.
> 4. tripuranEni gOpeecand wrote the famous novel _asamarthuni jeeva yaatra_.
> But what is the name of his incomplete novel ?
The incomplete novel is cheekaTi gadulu, considered to be an
autobiographical novel. It was incomplete due to his early death.
gOpeechand was not only one of our greater writers, he was also well
known for his film work.
> 5. _maalapalli_ by unnava laksminaaraayaNa was a revolutionary novel
> and the first of its kind in telugu literature. A famous stage actor
> adapted it to stage and highly popularized it with his performances.
> What is his name ?
Late A.R. Krishna adapted this novel for stage. I believe he was
working for the AP State Govt or a Govt sponsored theatrical company at
that time. This outdoor drama, which is about 3 hours or so, uses several
theatrical technics including a burrakatha team that acts as the
narrator, and takes place on several 'stages'. I saw this play in mid-70s
being performed in the open air at Hindu High School in Guntur. One of
the things that amazed me on that day was Krishna's ability to use all
the available space (with very little time for planning) in an effective and
dramatic way.
Related trivia: AR Krishna acted in a small role in Mrinal Sen's
Telugu film, oka voori katha. Now my own trivia question: Who wrote the
dialogues for oka voori katha?
Regards. --- V. Chowdary Jampala