Tripuraneni Gopichand (1910-1962), of Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, India, is a Telugu short story writer, novelist, editor, essayist, playwright and film director. His writings exhibit an exceptional interplay of values, ideas and ‘isms’—materialism, rationalism, existentialism, realism and humanism. He is well-known among Telugu literati for his psychological novel—Asamardhuni Jeevayatra (The Incompetent’s Life Journey). He was posthumously presented the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel, Panditha Parameshwara Sastry Veelunama (Will of Panditha Parameshwara Sastry), in 1963. Radical humanist, profound thinker, philosopher, social reformer and an inveterate votary of truth, Gopichand was a versatile genius, which reflects well in his scintillating stories that are told in crisp language. His stories pose many questions that challenge the wit of readers. His birth centenary celebrations are set to commence from September 2009.

With a staff in his hand, Jogayya mama comes over the canal bund and stands under the rose apple tree. Holding his hand against the sunrays he takes a look at his field. He remembers all those babul trees that are on the field bunds. They all came into existence along with him and are growing with him. During his tenure, he had to perforce cut two babul trees to make ploughs. Even today, the void left by them reminds him of their place on the bund. Whenever he looks at that emptiness, he feels disturbed as though his two grown-up sons ready to take the reins have deserted him.

Commonwealth Literature Journal, Tripuraneni Gopichand, Mamakaram, Attachment.