First published 2023
This collection presents the first English translations of poems by Varavara Rao, drawn from his sixteen published books spanning six decades. The Telugu poet began writing in his teens and now, in his eighties, remains a leading voice in modern Telugu literature. His verses chronicle social movements from the 1960s through the 2010s, capturing pivotal moments in Indian social history through poetic expression. The poems blend gentle responses with sharp reactions to social conditions, expressing powerful emotions from a voice that authorities have tried to silence. Rao's work stands as an offering of solidarity to those without power, the marginalized, and the oppressed, creating an artistic record of resistance and compassion.
Genres: biography, poetry, social-movements, activism
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: social-commentary, voice-of-the-oppressed
Setting: India
Period: 1960s, 2010s
120 pages · Paperback · Vintage Books