Hyderabad’s Suravaram Pratapa Reddy Telugu University has announced its decision to honour Peta Srinivasulu Reddy, a distinguished retired Telugu professor from Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) in Tirupati. Known widely by his pen name ‘Petasri,’ the celebrated folklore writer will be recognized for his outstanding work, ‘Tirupati Kathalu.’
The university’s ‘Sahithi Puraskar’ is presented annually to authors for books published in various genres and categories. ‘Tirupati Kathalu’ earned its selection under the esteemed prose category for the year 2023, highlighting its literary significance.
The prestigious ‘Sahithi Puraskar,’ accompanied by a cash prize of ₹20,116, will be awarded to Mr. Reddy on October 29 at the N.T. Rama Rao Kalamandiram, located on the university’s Nampally campus. This recognition is particularly noteworthy as he is one of only two literary figures from Andhra Pradesh chosen for this year’s accolades.
A prolific and respected scholar, Mr. Reddy’s contributions to literature are extensive. He has already garnered an impressive 20 national and international awards for his various works. Furthermore, he has presented numerous papers at international conferences across 10 countries, demonstrating his global impact. With a rich bibliography of 25 books and over 300 published articles, ‘Petasri’ continues to be a pivotal voice in Telugu literature and folklore.