Short Stories from Andhra Pradesh------jaico

These short stories translated from the Telugu language tell of experiences of ordinary middle class people caught in the crevice between traditional and modern ways of life. Against a backdrop of feverish modernization and fast-paced globalization, these stories depict the crumbling social structure (rural and urban), and redefine the family and social values of the people of Andhra Pradesh – the middle class, farmers, streetwalkers and the lower strata of society.

The thematic threads in these stories include changing values in the face of strenuous economic conditions; traditional courting and marriage mores; relationships within families under the pressure of increasing westernization, the woman’s role as mother, wife and worker; the man’s traditional role as provider; and the fear of death. The stories invite readers unfamiliar with the culture of Andhra Pradesh to appreciate its centuries-old traditions in the face of change.