Katyayani Vidmahe
Ketavarapu Katyayani, 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
The writer was born Ketavarapu Katyayani in 1955 in, a village in the Addanki area of India's Andhra Pradesh state. Her mother was Indira Devi and her father was Ramakoti Sastry, a professor and literary critic.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. 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. She retired from the university in the 2010s.
Writing and activism
As 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. Among her books are Mahila Sadhikarata - Savallu, Adhunika Telugu Sahityam - Streevada Bhumika, Gender Samanata Disagaa Samajam, Sahityam, Kanyasulkam - Samajika Sambandhalu, and Gender Spruha.Vidmahe's writing includes work on women's issues, and she has been involved in both feminist and Marxist activism. She founded the Society for Women's Studies and Development and Prajasvamya Rachayatala Vedika, a writers association for women. She has also served as national general secretary of the Democratic Women Workers's Forum.