Interview with Dr. Mudigonda Sivaprasad

The art of writing novels in itself is a difficult task, more over penning of a historical novel involving research of ancient manuscripts, several old books and checking up several inscriptions, makes one go mad.

Professor M. Sivaprasad has carved a niche for himself, as a writer of historical novels in Telugu and is known all over the world, for his gracious style and tempo. He has several fans thought out the world, who adore the paramount gaiety of his pen. This is a special interview with this supremo, done for HamaraShehar.com.

Q. Please tell us about your childhood and studies?

A. I was born in my grand parent's house at Akulallur, an offshore village near Ongole of Prakasam district, on 23.01.1940. I did my high school from Tadikonda, intermediate from Ongole, B.A., at Kavali and took my masters degree from Andhra University. In 1971, I earned my Ph.D. from Osmania University in the subject of "Effect of various movements on modern Telugu poetry".

Q. How did you pick up interest in the art of writing?

A. My father shri Mudigonda Mallikarjuna Rao was a great writer and an orator of 1940's. He was also an editor of a magazine and due to this we used to get several newspapers to our house. I used to read many of them. My father passed away when I was very young. But I read many of his writings and almost all books at our village library. Also I was fortunate to meet several great men of those days while I was a student. All this inspired me to take up writing.

Q. We hear that you were a drama actor too.

A. Yes. In those days the dramas of Molier translated by Sri Bhamidipati Kameswara Rao were being enacted in almost all the schools. I was also a participant. This participation helped me in my growth as a mature writer.

Q. Can you please elaborate?

A. Acting in the plays has paved the natural road to master the technique of writing. A literary composition is nothing other than a painting of a vision. The moment a reader goes through a story or a novel he imagines a picture the writer has painted. Then only he can become a part and parcel of the book and continues his reading. This equality of making the reader an addict of the books, cannot be easily achieved by the writer, and is the result of difficult pursuits. Acting in the plays has helped me to learn the art of psychology, the study of personalities. When an actor was delivering dialogues, I used to keenly observe the response of the audience, their reactions, and wonder what the audience might be thinking when they hear the actor's voice. I also had the opportunity to learn the art of where to begin and how to end a particular scene.

So a writer who is familiar with the plays, can gauge the pulse of the readers easily, as he has had the opportunity to observe their reactions visually. Thus a writer gets first hand information on the response of the audience to various incidents in the play including the plus and minus of it all. So this understanding fortifies the art of writing.

Q. Sir, could you tell us about the struggle you under went to establish your self as a writer?

A. I used to read, and assimilate a lot in the beginning. Then slowly I started putting down the thoughts on paper. A few small articles were printed here and there, but they did not give me satisfaction. Then during the holidays of my degree studies I struggled hard for about three months. As a routine, everyday I used to write a story and tear it off.

Q. Sorry to interrupt, why were you doing that?

A. Because, what I wrote did not even appeal to me. Thus I wrote, did not like it, tore it off. After spending a whole summer like this, I picked up some confidence, but continued to study Chilakamarthi, Panuganti, Gurajada and Sarath. Thus a struggle of over ten years, helped to see a writer in me. My first story 'That Night' was published in 'Jagruti' a weekly.

Q. That's nice, but what made you venture into historical novels?

A. In those days, papers used to publish mainly the works of women writers. One reason was that in those time women were the main patrons of the novels and weeklies.

So the option was only to be different and create a sensation. I chose history to pen down, after reading Nori Narasimha Sastry, Viswanadha and Adavi Bapiraju (Veyi Padagalu, Hima Bindu etc.). The English Movies, The Bible, King of Kings, Ten Commandments also gave me inspiration to turn towards the subject of history.

Q. Historical novels, are they not difficult to write?

A. Yes, but the satisfaction you derive at the end, is worth the trouble.

Q. Tell us more about the novels you have written.

A. A historical novel needs, time taking research. To write the novel of 'Anubhava Mantapam', it took me almost seven years. I had to read a lot of references. It has been included in the syllabus at Gulbarga and Berhampur Universities. My 'Avahana' novel was serialised by the publishers of Telugu Jyothi in New Jearsy, USA. But the response evoked by the novel 'Srilekha' was tremendous. In fact, the name 'Srilekha' was adopted by many parents to christen their children.

I wrote about five novels on the Satavahana dynasty. Totally sixteen novels were penned by me.

Q. That’s wonderful! Who are the writers whom you admire?

A. I like the books of Tripuraneni Gopichand and Viswanadha. I admire the style and sculpture of Sri Chalam. I did learn the story writing technique from the works of Sri Viswanadha. I also was fascinated by the Telugu translations of Tom Sawyer, Tolstoy's. The tale of two cities published in Andhra Pathrika weekly.

Q. Which writer inspired you most?

A. Sri Viswanatha Satyanarayana.

Q. Which are your favourites among your own books?

A. Anubhava Mantapam, Avahana and Sri Paadarchana.

Q. Your definition of a good literature?

A. It should deliver a message to the society. It should spur one atleast, towards the righteous path. A book becomes lively when the author makes all the effort, to put his entire spirit into it. That will earn recognition as a good literature. Similarly, I have a feeling that every writing should have a good ending, and lack of it, denotes immaturity on the part of the author.

Q. What are your suggestions for the budding authors?

A. They must read and study a lot. Atleast, a thousand books or stories. One may not remember what all he reads, but he will imbibe their culture, which will be reflected in his writings. Similarly, an author must have integrity and struggle relentlessly.

It took me almost seven years, to be known as a writer of some standing. Once you meet with success - victories follow. However, the present day writers aspire for instant fame. They fill horror and sex into their works. They must realise, that such works have a short life span. If the work has to have a long standing, a lot of effort must be put into it. The struggle to retain the name earned, has to be much more than the effort for coming up into light. Otherwise, it fades away as naturally as it shined.

Q. What are the requirements, if one has to be known as a good writer?

A. To some extent the question is already answered. Apart from integrity the writer must develop creativity. The grace and gaiety needs constant improvement by perseverant study and research.

Q. Can writers be created?

A. Very well, but the person must have innate creativity, which can be improved upon by adding style and sculpture through external training. But without creativity one cannot become a writer.

Q. In your opinion, what success means?

A. In my opinion success and victory are two different things. The effect of success is temporary but victory is permanent. Once Chalam and Gurajada were not counted as writers. But today they are the pioneers. They are victorious now, without being successful then. So…one must constantly endeavour for results. He is bound to be victorious.

Q. Does luck play any part in being successful?

A. Yes, but only to a little extent. There is no substitute for hardwork and persistent struggle is the only path to success.

Q. Do you believe in God, next birth, fate etc?

A. Yes, I believe in each one of them, but without the manual effort, God and fate have no relevance. I constantly pray the Supreme power to lead my mind and me into the righteous path. Let me add that I disbelieve in Vaastu, palmistry and astrology.

Q. Any unforgettable incident you wish to share?

A. Yes, the novel 'Srilekha' earned a good name. Once when I went to Britain I met some Telugu people at Manchester. One lady brought her young daughter to me and announced, 'Here is your Srilekha'. I was a little surprised. Actually the matter was, that she named her daughter as Srilekha after she was impressed by my novel during her stay in Gudivada. I was so pleased with that incident that I always cherish the memories of it.

Q. Do you like any specific movies?

A. Yes, I like the movies made by the director Shantaram - 'Navrang', 'Doctor Kotnis ki Amar Kahani', 'Jhanak Jhanak Payal Bhaje', 'Do Ankhen Barah hath' to name few. The Telugu ones 'Pathala Bhairavi', 'Guna Sundari' are some more that can be seen any number of times.

Q. Who are the directors and comedians you admire?

A. Sri K.V.Reddy and Viswanath are the directors and late Sivarao is one comedian who will live in my memory forever.

Q. Which are the unforgettable short stories?

A. Jarudu metlu (slippery steps) and Jahnavi.

Q. A Quotation you like please?

A. 'Work hard, be holy and pure and the fire will come' by Sri Vivekananda.