[In this series, Dr. Chengalva Ramalakshmi and Mr. Boddapati Chandrasekhar introduce renowned Telugu short story writers.]
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Smt Dr. C. Bhavanidevi, A poet, story writer, translator, commentator, and a columnist:
So opines Chillara Bhavanai Devi – a poet, short-story writer, translator, commentator, and columnist, all rolled into one.
Birth and Early Life:
Bhavanidevi was born on 5 October 1953 at Bapatla, Guntur District. She is the daughter of Kotamraju Satyanarayana Sarma and Alivelu Manga Tayaru. A highly accomplished scholar, she holds three M.A. degrees, an LL.B., and a Ph.D.
Literary Journey:
The author, who began writing during her student days, has so far published 56 books. These include poetry and short-story anthologies, children’s literature, neo-literature, features, and translations.
She has been honoured with several titles, including Sahiti Bandhavi, Kala Ratna, Mahila Ratna, Srujana Dhuni, and Sahiti Bharati.
Television Serials:
She provided the story for Gamanam, wrote the dialogues for Seetharampuram Agraharam, and supplied the script for Vanitha Vani.
Recognition for Literary Contribution:
Dr. Chillara Bhavanidevi has received numerous awards and honours in recognition of her valuable contribution to Telugu literature. Among them are the Kolakaluri Bhagiradhi Poetry Award in 2008 for Aksharam Naa Astitwam, the Daasyam Venkataswamy Poetry Award in 2009 for Keratam Naa Kireetam, and the Vijayabhavana Story Award in 2012, Vizianagaram, for her story collection Amma Nannu Kshaminchoddhu. She received the Sreerama Navami Kavitha Pratibha Puraskaram from Sanathana Dharma Charitable Trust, Visakhapatnam, in 2014, and the Best Story Collection Award from Guntur Zilla Rachayithala Sangham in 2015 for Thapthasila.
In 2016, she received the Silaparasetti Sriramulu Naidu Memorial Kavitha Puraskaram at Anakapalli for Intha Dooram Gadichaaka. She also received the Best Poetry Collection Award for Raag.
She participated in the International Women Writers’ Meet organised by the Central Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, on 8 March 2019, where she was recognised as a Best Telugu Writer. She has also received the Sri Potti Sriramulu Telugu University Merit Award and the Uttama Rachayitri Pratibha Puraskaram for her literary achievements.
In recent years, she has continued to receive recognition for her literary contribution, including the Yaddhanapudi Sulochana Rani Memorial Distinguished Literary Award, presented by the A.P. State Government’s Srujanatmaka and Samskrutika Samithi, Department of Language and Culture, Vijayawada, in 2025, and the Suseela Narayana Reddy Memorial Sahiti Puraskaram, awarded by the Dr. Suseela Narayana Reddy Trust in 2026. She has also contributed her writings to several literary magazines and journals over the years.
She has been honoured with several titles, including Sahiti Bandhavi, Kala Ratna, Mahila Ratna, Srujana Dhuni, and Sahiti Bharati.
These are only a few to mention.
She has many more to her credit.
Bhavanidevi as a Short Story Writer:
“While I was pursuing my B.A. degree in Bapatla, my first story was published. Since then, I have continued writing.
So far, I have published four collections of short stories: Chivari Valasa (The Last Migration), Taptha Sila (The Scorched Stone), Amma, Nannu Kshaminchoddhu (Mother, Please Don’t Forgive Me), and Antharangachitraalu (Inner Portraits).”
Let us get acquainted with some of her stories and with their themes in the next part.
(To be concluded..).
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