I was thinking of rama's "Telugus can't write for nuts".
I think I want to address it on two fronts: one the literary and the other
FINANCIAL. Specifically, I argue that the monetary rewards in other languages
such as English, C++ are much more than in writing in Telugu. Then, I
suggest we consider some projects, as a subgroup, to develop
some telugu pieces of lasting value.
More counter examples to rama's "Telugus can't write for nuts".
1. Translation of Ya. Perleman (sp?)'s "Physics in Everyday Life" into
"Nitya jeevitam lo bhautika sastram". By Ko.Ku I believe.
I read the English translation to show what an excellent author
Perelman was to my wife; but, the English translation was
at best boring. The Telugu translation drove liters of adrinalin
into my body!!
2. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao's excellent "vimarsana vyasam" on Potana/Bhagavatam
that appeared in an initial edition of "Srimadbhagavatam" by
the vavilla press. Sri Rao garu served as the governer of UP, Keralal
and PM of the then Nizam country. He wrote excellent critical essays
in languages including Telugu.
3. Peri Sastry's (I believe edited by him) book on Calculus for the telugu
medium intermediate people. I went to TELUGU medium school until
tenth and switched to English medium in Intermediate. That was
an excellent book on any standard.
4. Actually, most of the Inter's telugu medium books very well written,
in my opinion. Their Chemistry books in particular.
5. DRK sangameswara Rao, a professor at AU (no relative of mine, just in
case) also wrote/edited some telugu medium math books (believe
geometry). I attended his lectures on science, and they were
really good.
Can someone comment on the B.Sc.'s books? I never got around to browse them.
FINANCIAL
It is obvious that there is not enough reward for writing excellently in
Telugu; why would one do if the same is done in English, you get better
money due to wider market. So, much of the talent may actually be going
to writing English stuff. Why, we have tons of grad students/professors
out here publishing in English than in Telugu. They, I am pretty sure,
are capable to write in Telugu (at least some). But, what is the reward?
Two generations later, some one would remark that their writing was lousy!
Alternatively, if they wrote in English, they can make money!! Even better,
if they wrote in C++ (or, is it Java?) they can demand their favourate billing
rate. I know! We pay 80K per person, per year. If some one gives me
that for writing history in Telugu, I am sure I will do it. Isn't it
then obvious that anyone with decent analytical skills will go for
contributing to English, C++ instead of Telugu? Everyone has only 24 hrs
a day. The meager returns of telugu writing does NOT supprot major activity.
Given the tighter budgets of many telugu peoples, their contribution does not
seem any less (per capita per dollar) than any others. What they need is
motivation, and with little monetary reward, it is difficult to provide
motivation.
I only request that before we make sweeping remarks on writing styles,
we should be a bit more careful. Whether it is cinare, arudra, jandhyala,
or sri sri, or telugus at large, or Indians at large. I can assure you
this much: if things continue the way they do now, telugu writing
(if not telugu language at large) will be a thing of the past. Why would
anyone care? Most definitely if a small "intellectual" bunch, who
are by and large well to do, like us,
can't even get along with each other, can you imagine millions of
people, sitting
together, and reviving telugu writing (by pouring money into it)?
NO SIR. I DONT.
It may be a matter of time before Telugu reaches the
ranks of Sanskrit or (hyeroglyphic) Egyptian: i.e., dead for practical
purposes; it may live as a social-language. But, not a language with MONEY!!!
I ask, the people on this net who think they are good at writing consider
the following: they provide more lasting and transcendental contributions
rather than discussions such as whether vemana had or not had a gochi.
1. a contemporary grammar book (more readable than vyakarana chandrika,
or lakshana saram, or baala vyakaranam) for telugus in telugu
with english commentary possibly? Lekha/Rit can be used?
I can contribute my 2 cents worth.
2. a contemporary book on samasya puranam? I will NOT contribute, but
it may also have great value and lasting nature. In telugu.
3. history of telugus in US/Canada, what they did and what their
achievements are?
4. Multimedia history (using Java) of AP? I am willing to contribute
my 2dollar worth. I am currently interested in doing the
"Hampi chapter" of such a piece!
Any takers? Do you have your list? LET US DO SOMETHING BEFORE WE
jump on dead writers or live friends!!!!
good day!
Kumar.
p.s. The individuals I addressed above (i.e., Rama and Veluri), hopefully
do not take my postings as attacks on them, but as one on the content
of what they wrote. I know both of them, and intend not to hurt either.
I, for one, do not like and practice ad homonym. If perceived as personal
attack, I apologize to you, Rama and Veluri. It is not my intention.