Nidadavolu Malathi

Nidadavolu Malathi is a Telugu writer from Andhra Pradesh, India. She is a short story writer, essayist, literary critic, and translator. Her daughter Sarayu Rao is a Hollywood actress. Early life and education Nidadavolu Malathi hails from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. She was born to Sri Nidadavolu Jagannatha Rao and Seshamma on 26 June 1937. Her father worked as a Maths teacher in Theosophical Society High school, Adyar, Madras. Both her parents cherished progressive views, which are reflected in their children's upbringing. Malathi has Masters's degrees in English Language and Literature from Andhra University and Sri Venkateswara University; and master's degree in Library Science from University of Delhi. She worked as Assistant Librarian, and Librarian in Sri Venkateswara University from 1964 to 1973. She moved to America in November 1973. She also taught Telugu as Second Language in University of Wisconsin, Madison, during 1978–2006. Literary activity Malathi started writing stories in the early 1950s in Telugu, and has published in several prominent magazines of the times. After arriving in the United States in 1973, she started writing in English as well. She has a website, thulika.net wherein she publishes English translations of Telugu stories. It was started in June 2001, and features 120 translations and critical/analytical essays by Malathi, a few by other translators. Malathi has published translations of her own stories, My Little Friend and Other Stories in e-book format. Malathi publishes her original stories and articles in Telugu on her blog Telugu thulika. In response to a question why her stories are not appearing in magazines in India, she said it was basically a communication problem. After moving to the U.S., she found herself alienated from the literary circles in India for want of regular communication channels. As a result, we do not find her stories in Indian journals. Nevertheless, she remains active on her Telugu blog, website, and other Internet avenues. Malathi created the site, THULIKA.NET – Founder, Administrator, Editor: Malathi Nidadavolu in June 2001 with the specific goal of introducing Telugu traditions and culture to non-Telugu readers through eminent Telugu fiction and informative articles. Her passion for disseminating Telugu cultural values and traditions, and commitment to putting into practice what she believes in are noteworthy.