Madhurantakam Rajaram

Madhurantakam Rajaram Biography

Madhurantakam Rajaram was a popular writer associated with Telugu language, who is widely regarded to be one of the foremost story tellers of modern literature, belonging to Telugu. He gained immense popularity as a short story writer. He won the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award of 1993 for his collection of short stories. He also received Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy Award for Short stories in 1968 and many more honours during his lifetime. He was given Honorary Doctorate by Sri Krishnadevaraya University in 1994. Madhurantakam Rajaram Kathalu – a short story collection is his most popular work.

Rajaram was born on 5 October 1930 in Dammalcheruvu, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. After studies, he worked as a school teacher for many years. At the same time, he also wrote short stories for different magazines and dailies, and slowly gained popularity among readers. He depicted the lives of middle-class or lower-middle-class people in Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh through his works, and hence his stories got easily connected with readers. Madhurantakam Rajaram Kathalu is recognized as a masterpiece of Indian short fiction in Telugu, as per Sahitya Academy citation. The work also earned Sahitya academy award.

Madhurantakam Rajaram kathalu remains his most popular work. Halikulu Kushalama also received equal popularity. Apart from writing stories, he also edited a few works. Varshinchina Megham, Praanadaata, Taanu Veliginchina Deepaalu, Punarnavam, Kalyanakinkini, Vagapetiki, Kammatemmera, Vakragathulu - Ithara Kathalu, Vinodapradarsanam and Revati Prapancham are among his other published short story collections. His sons - sons Madhurantakam Narendra and Madhurantakam Mahendra have also followed Rajaram’s legacy and known as writers. Hence they are often referred to as ‘Madhurantakam Trio’. He passed away in 1999.

Published: October 09, 2018

Updated: October 09, 2018