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Articles: Literature | Naveen’s Ampasayya
- Dr. Rajeshwar Mittapalli
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The application of stream of consciousness technique makes it imperative to honestly represent thoughts and feelings of the characters. This runs the risk of the narrative deteriorating into obscenity. In Ampasayya there are many instances which could be cited in this context. But it all depends on how we take it. Naveen understands the inner life of his characters and portrays it honestly and if in the process he has to write about thoughts and feelings which the politically correct writers would rather avoid, he does not hesitate. But Naveen believes that the thought process of a person is dictated by environmental determinism and the person concerned is not at fault for allowing his mind to entertain obscene thoughts and the writer for recording them on paper. He will not be true to himself or to the readers if he does not do so.
Ampasayya also enjoys the rare distinction of being the first Telugu novel to portray a homosexual character. Ravi has a tough time staving off and spurning the advances of this character who is a fellow boarder in the university hostel. No Telugu writer prior to Ampasayya and since Ampasayya felt it necessary to create a character of this sexual orientation.
Ampasayya, let it be repeated, is an autobiographical novel. The autobiographical element, which is indeed very strong, lends a rare authenticity to the story of the novel and a rare honesty to the feelings of its chief protagonist. Naveen has repeatedly said that unless a real life incident inspires him he does not write stories and novels. The experiences of Ravi are certainly similar to those of Naveen when he was studying Economics at Osmania University in the early sixties. This autobiographical element lends realism to the novel. The story and every one of the characters in Ampasayya are realistic to the core. In the run of the mill novels Ravi’s friendship with Kiranmayi would have blossomed into a full-blown love affair with all the excitements, anxieties and difficulties traditionally associated with it. Naveen knows that such love affairs are rare and the successful ones are the rarest.
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