Ketavarapu Katyayani (born 1955; Telugu: కాత్యాయని విద్మహే), best known by her pen name Katyayani Vidmahe, is an Indian writer and academic. Her work focuses on Telugu literature, particularly feminist and Marxist writing.
Early life and academic career
editThe writer was born Ketavarapu Katyayani in 1955 in Mailavaram, a village in the Addanki area of India's Andhra Pradesh state.[1][2] Her mother was Indira Devi and her father was Ramakoti Sastry, a professor and literary critic.[2][3]
She pursued studies in Warangal and Hyderabad, graduating with a master's degree in Telugu from Kakatiya University in Warangal in 1977, and earning a gold medal for her work.[1] After graduating, she began teaching at the university while writing her Ph.D. on the novel Chivaraku Migiledi, and she eventually became a full professor there.[1][4] She retired from the university in the 2010s.[5][6]
Writing and activism
editAs of 2013, she had written 275 research papers on Telugu literature, as well as 28 books, under her pen name Katyayani Vidmahe. She had also edited an additional 25 books.[1] Among her books are Mahila Sadhikarata - Savallu, Adhunika Telugu Sahityam - Streevada Bhumika, Gender Samanata Disagaa Samajam, Sahityam, Kanyasulkam - Samajika Sambandhalu, and Gender Spruha.[3]
Vidmahe's writing includes work on women's issues, and she has been involved in both feminist and Marxist activism.[2][7] She founded the Society for Women's Studies and Development and Prajasvamya Rachayatala Vedika, a writers association for women.[3] She has also served as national general secretary of the Democratic Women Workers's Forum.[4]
Awards
editIn 2013, Vidmahe won the Sahitya Akademi Award for her contribution to Telugu literature with her 2010 essay collection Sahityaakasamlo Sagam, which discusses issues of gender identity and women's role in literature.[1][3][4][8] However, in 2015 she returned the award alongside several fellow winners in protest of "the growing intolerance in the country," particularly the assassination of the Kannada scholar M. M. Kalburgi and the 2015 Dadri lynching.[4][8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Sikdar, Prabeer (19 December 2013). "Kendra Sahitya Akademi for Katyayani Vidmahe". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ a b c "Sahitya Akademi award for Katyayani Vidmahe". The Hans. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Sahitya Akademi Award for KU Prof". The New Indian Express. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Telugu writer Katyayani Vidmahe returns Sahitya Akademi award". Business Standard India. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ Vijayasree, C.; Sridhar, M.; Sengupta, Mahasweta (20 May 2018). Colonial Encounter: Telugu–English Literary and Cultural Interface. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-429-88470-2.
- ^ "Dont die, live & fight against suppression". The Hans. 30 January 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "Women must not be portrayed as mere commodities: Katyayani Vidmahe". The Hans. 24 December 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Kashinath Singh, Katyayani Vidmahe return Sahitya Akademi awards". The Hindu. 18 October 2015. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 September 2021.