HYDERABAD: Renowned Telugu writer, Volga has been selected for the prestigious Sahitya Academy Award for her short story compilation ‘Vimukta Kadh Samputi’, for the year 2015. The award winning short stories focus on the freedom of women through female characters.
P Lalitha Kumari, popularly known by her pen name Volga, is noted for her literary work that features a feminist perspective. Her stories, novels, and poetry reflect well-articulated feminist positions without compromising either the quality of literary form or failing to represent the ‘reality’ of the characters.
Volga is one of the popular Telugu women authors of her generation. Born in Guntur of Andhra Pradesh in 1950, she completed her MA in Telugu literature from Andhra University in 1972. Later she taught Telugu literature at VSR and NVR College, Tenali from 1973 to 1986.
Apart from authoring books, Volga has contributed to the film industry also. She worked as the head of the scripting division in Usha Kiran Movies.
She made three feature films, which won critical acclaim and awards. Among her works are the novels Sweccha (1994), Sahaja (1995), Manavi (1998), Kanniti keratala vennela (1999), Gulabilu (2000), and Rajakiya kathalu (1993), Prayogam (1995) (two short story collections). Volga is associated with ASMITA, a well-known feminist voluntary organization. The Library of Congress has acquired all twelve of her major published works, including the English translation of her selected short stories.