Humans of My Life- Malayavasini Aunty

Next on the "Humans of my life" series- Malayavasini Aunty!

You all might remember how I announced my first Telugu publication recently, shouted from every social media rooftop possible, in fact, :). There is a discussion of my story on a popular online platform called Vedika, this weekend, and I am unabashedly sharing info about that too. But this post is not about me or about my first publication.

It is about someone that has the following stats:

20+ Books

200+ Published essays

180+ AkaaSa vaaNi Radio speeches

30+ Awards

29 M.Phil. and 31 Ph.D. graduates 

Countless accolades

I have had the pleasure of knowing the retired Telugu department head at Andhra University, Acharya Kolavennu Malayavasini garu, for almost two decades. It is fortuitous that her younger son, Panini, and I were in the same research group in grad school, and now work for the same company in Portland. So, during their visits here, I have gotten to experience the amazing command she has over Telugu language. 

Despite this close association with her, I only came to know of her brilliance and the full suite of her accomplishments this past weekend, when she was awarded 'Sriramanavami Pratibha Puraskaram' at a felicitation ceremony hosted by Sanatana Dharma Charitable Trust in Hyderabad on April 5th, 2025.

Malayavasini aunty is one of the most humble and down to earth humans I have ever known. She has been one of my mentors whenever I dabbled with Telugu writing. She was the one to suggest the title for the song I wrote for Raaga's dance last summer. She authored nearly 500 of her own original writings, and yet, enthusiastically celebrated my first publication, showered me with her blessings, and made me feel as if I was on top of the world. 

Students at Portland Manabadi were fortunate to have her and her husband, Sri Kolavennu Vithal Murthy garu, as the chief guests for our first ever Snatakotsavam in the summer of 2019.

I just wanted to take this opportunity and congratulate aunty on this latest feather to her already crowed cap! My sincere gratitude to aunty for inspiring the younger generations, with not just her unsatiable thirst for knowledge, but also with how she conducts life! 

Mother: Mrs. Andra Chintamani garu, Telugu language enthusiast

Father: Mr. Andra Seshagirirao garu, Renowned writer and Editor

Education: 

BA (Hons): First Rank in Andhra ViSwa Kalaparishat

MA: Second Rank and Gold medal

Ph.D. Topic: Andhra Vaangmayam-Ramayanam

Post Dctoral research from Gujarat University

Occupation:

Started as a lecturer at Maris Stella Women's college in 1965

Advised Over 29 M.Phil, 31 Ph.D. students over four decades

Positions Held:

Andhra University Head of Telugu Department 

Andhra University Board of Studies Director

Andhra University Dean of Oriental Learning

Brahmi Editor

Visakha Sahiti Editor

Andhra Bhasha Samiti- President

Bharatiya SikshaNa Mandali Mahila Vibhagam- President

Visakha Sahiti - President

Board of studies member at:

Osmania Univ

Kakatiya Univ

Banaras Hindu Univ

Sambhalpur Univ

Sri Padmavati Univ

Writings on Ramayanam:

Andhra Janapada sahityam-Ramayanam

Andhra Vangmayamu-Ramayanamu

Vividha bharatiya bhaashalalO Ramayanamu

Ramayana gaathalu- andulO mahiLalu

Molla Ramayanam vyakhyanam

Contributions to TTD: 

Andhra Mahabharatam- virataparvam

Andhra Mahabhagavatam- daSamaskandam uttara bhaagampai vyakhyanam

annamayya aadhyaatmika kIrtanalapai vyakhyanam (rendu samputalu)

Awards and Recognitions:

AP Govt Best teacher award

Nellore- Kavitraya puraskaram

Delhi Telugu Academy Puraskaram

Adhikara bhasha sangham puraskaram

Tanuku- Nannaya Bhattaraka PeeTha Puraskaram

Bangalore- Sri Krishnadevaraya Sahiti Puraskaram

Gopavaram- Molla Sahiti puraskaram

1990-Andhra viswakala parishat- uttama parisodhaka puraskaram

1980, 2000, 2004- US visits to spread the significance of Telugu language

And many more!