HYDERABAD:Toli Adugulu, a novel written by veteran writer Akkineni Kutumba Rao, was launched on Saturday in Hyderabad. The novel, based on a village near Kolleru lake in Krishna district depicts the changing rural set up over the past five decades and the loss of innocence.
“Rural life had a lot of charm but the social change is now very rapid. Akkineni Kutumba Rao has depicted it interestingly. His writing style is complex with multiple layers. The message is in the medium and one gets immersed in the novel,” said activist Vasanth Kannabiran, speaking about the novel. Incidentally, the novel is dedicated to Vasasanth Kannabiran.
Toli Adugulu was launched amid a close gathering of writers, activists, family members and friends of writer A Kutumba Rao at Ravindra Bharathi in the evening.
“Toli Adugulu makes one reminisce about childhood and makes one ponder over the ills of modern education system especially corporate schools.
About 7000 government schools have been closed in Andhra Pradesh and 1800 more are on the verge of closure, as students strength does not exceed 30. This will force many more students from rural areas go to corporate schools which do not take any care in the wholesome development of children thus ruining their lives. Kutumba Rao presented an ideal education system suitable for children today in the novel,” said renowned writer Singamaneni Narayana introducing the novel.
“Children don’t have a healthy childhood. The schooling system, parenting and modern society trends are taking a toll on children. Toli Adugulu novel was born from the pain which we experience when we observe kids today. I will be happy if it kindles thoughts about today’s education system in the readers,” stated Kutumba Rao explaining the motivation behind the novel during the launch.
Writers Volga, Mrinalini, G Lakshmi, Rammohan, among others were present on the occasion.