Shri.V.V.B Rama Rao is a prolific writer, who has authored more than 50 books in two languages, English and his mother tongue, Telugu. He is also an erudite scholar with vast academic experience. According to him, Telugu poetry has ceased to be the exclusive domain of the privileged elitist classes with the enthroning of democracy.

The book, ‘Vivid and Vibrant’ consists of English translations of Telugu Modern verses. The history of Modern Telugu poetry has been covered. The author has brought to light, important aspects of the development of Telugu Free Verse poetry, as well.

The translations of the important Telugu poets into English are flawless. A glance at the translations from the book reveals the sound understanding of the author in interpreting the verses of the Telugu poets.

A good example is the following lines from the book – a translation of Shri. Narayana Reddy’s poetry.

‘Lifting up waters of wisdom from the sources of the soul,
Confronting the course of monsoons,
Turning its own form,
Spreading greenness like its breath,
The tree stood stable and unperturbed’
       – (C.Narayana Reddy )

All stages of the development of Telugu free verse poetry have been covered. The book discusses as to how Kundurth was the Telugu poet, who in 1966 started the Free Verse Front and published a volume of free verse in 1967. The book also gives special importance to the effulgent flowering of Telugu poetry between 1985 and 1995. C.Narayana Reddy’s winning the 1991 Jnanpith award for his ‘Viswambhara’ was a turning point for Modern Telugu poetry. The book also discusses the growth of Dalit Poetry in Telugu. The book includes the English translations of the even the latest Telugu poetry.

The book is simple, elegant and is a must read for everyone. It is sure to interest the readers, who are looking at an opportunity to experience the surreal beauty of Modern Telugu poetry.