PROFILE

            Prof.KOLAKALURI ENOCH, born on 01.07.1939, hails from poor dalit family of Vejendla, Guntur. He overcome the shackles of poverty and casteism by contributing his mind and might to produce literature and teaching and rose to the position of Vice chancellor, S.V. University, Tirupati  (1998-2001). This year (2013) he is celebrating Platinum jubilee and the Diamond jubilee of his literary career.

         Kolakaluri Enoch’s achievements, as an administrator, University Teacher, Writer, Social activist, Awardee and Family man, are of great surprise to all.

UNIVERSITY TEACHER

            Kolakaluri Enoch made rich contributions to the teaching field through his teachings and research activities. His career as a teacher spans about 42 years. He began his teaching career as a lecturer in Telugu, A.C. College, Guntur in 1959, when he was only 19 years old. Before he was selected as lecturer in Telugu, S.V .University, Tirupati in 1974, he worked as a Govt. Degree Lecturer at Chittoor, Kakinada, Anantapur and Cuddapah. In 1977, he was selected to Reader Post in S.K. University, Anantapur and held positions like principal, dean of languages, dean of arts, director, SKIAD, secretary, SKIAD, Anantapur. His Ph.D, Doctoral thesis and post doctoral thesis are considered as the most potential works in their respective areas. He has successfully completed 10 Major Research Projects and 10 Minor Research Projects. The plight of marginalized sections, literary contributions of dalits, movements led by neglected sections against injustice are some of the areas which he selected for his research projects. 24 Ph.D candidates and 18 M.Phil candidates completed their research under his supervison and were awarded degrees. The fetching point is that most of them have secured jobs, either in the Govt. Degree and Junior Colleges or in the government itself. About 150 articles covering academic and social issues were published in the leading Telugu journals to which the response from writers and readers was overwhelming. About 200 thought provoking seminar papers (national and international) were to his credits. He received invitation from Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, UGC, various Indian Universities, well reputed academic institutions and other important organizations to deliver lecturers. He delivered nearly 200 extension lecturers.

            At the moment, Enoch’s academic activities are in full swing.

WRITER

           Prof.Kolakaluri Enoch’s contribution to the field of creative writing is commendable. His literary career spans about 60 years (at present he takes up the task of writing the biographies of his late wife and mother with all humiliation as he honours them immensely and his auto biography) and nearly 81 published books, comprising all genres of Telugu language i.e., ‘poetry’, ‘drama’, ‘criticism’, ‘novel’, ‘essay’, ‘short story’ and “translation” are to his credit. Every year he has been adding one or two books to the list of his published works.

            Kolakaluri Enoch published 9 novels so far. Many of them appeared as serials in Telugu journals before they had been published as novels and a few won prizes too. There were 16 plays, some of them are play lets and radio plays, to his credit. His “Munivahanudu”, a play, was the non detailed text for intermediate course of Andhra Pradesh during 1985-87. Some of his plays won the prizes of Telugu University and Sahitya Akademy, Hyderabad. As a short story writer, he published 11 collections of short stories so far. His ‘Urabavi’ and ‘Asprisyaganga’, collections of short stories, bagged Telugu University awards. Scores of his Telugu short stories have been translated into English, Hindi, Kannada and Tamil 12 anthologies of poems were published and all of them were well received by critics and common readers. An awful lot of his creative and critical essays were published in various journals and anthologies. Kolakaluri Sumakiran, his youngest son, selected few essays enchanted with auto biographical element, translated them into English and published with the title ‘Divinity Thy Name is Mother’. As a critic he published 11 critical works comprised of a big number of critical appreciations and writings. He is also a very good translator. Being a translator, he translated English works into Telugu and Telugu works into English in a commendable way. In 1985, he translated Bible New Testament into modern Telugu. He not only translated scores of his stories and one novel into English but also began writing poems and short stories in English in a loveable manner. Many a research scholar drawn towards his writings for their M.Phil and Ph.D, doctoral research 12 Ph.D candidates and 18 M.Phil candidates from various Universities in Andhra Pradesh who worked on Prof.Kolakaluri Enoch writings, were awarded degrees. UGC, New Delhi and the other reputed organizations organized 9 one-day, two-day and four-day national seminars in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to which the response from the paper presenters was to a maximum extent.      

SOCIAL ACTIVIST

            Prof. Kolakaluri Enoch, who hails from dalit community, came forward to champion the cause of dalits. He portrayed in his writings the life of marginalized sections in the society i.e., their painful experiences, failures, achievements, their protest to the point of perfection. He also supported the cause of dalits, women, minorities and other oppressed people by organizing meetings, literary programmes where the problems of these sections had been discussed and tried to find solutions.

            Prof. Kolakaluri Enoch is the president of “Ambedkar Vignana Peetham”, Anantapur from 1972 to till date. As the president he organized many meetings and discussed many issues. He was the president of Dalit Writers’ Association, Hyderabad from 1991-1994. His commitment to social justice and women empowerment is commanding. As he was professor in the department of Telugu, S.K.University, many candidates from minority sections and women candidates were awarded Ph.D degrees. SKIAD in S.K. University, a scheme that was launched in 1984 to conduct coaching programmes for SC/ST/BC and women to appear for examinations of UPSC, APPSC, APSC and BSRB, and other recruiting agencies and also coaching for them in EAMCET examinations, was the brain child of Kolakaluri Enoch. The purpose was served as many candidates attended the training programmes secured jobs and seats in Engineering and Medical colleges. It was very hard to draw the lime of demarcation that separates Enoch as a writer and Enoch as an individual in life. As a writer, he aspires for social justice and in his life too he aspires for the same. When madigas aimed at the categorization of SC reservations and launched “Dandora” movement, Enoch championed cause and extended great publicity to it by contributing thought provoking articles where he supported their genuine demand. He also took part in the movements of SC/ST/BC, women and minorities to secure them social justice.

AWARDEE

            Having been missed many prestigious awards since 1985, Enoch is content with his lot. He is the recipient of many awards. “Telugu Bharati Puraskram”, C.P. Brown Academy, Hyderabad, “Mallemala Sahitya Puraskaram”, Mallimala Trust, Kadapa, “Telugu Bhashotsava Puraskaram”, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad are a few to mention. Many of his works had been awarded by Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, “Sahitya Academy”, AIR and by different Universities. He received many awards for Education literature and social activities. “Best Teacher Award” 1993’, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, “Ambedkar National Literary Award” 1997”, National Dalit Sahitya Academy, New Delhi, “National Integration Award” 1994’, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Madras Telugu Academic literary award are only a few to speak about. Many a bornour conferred on him. He was a member of jury to select entries for “T.V. Nandi Awards” of Govt. of Andhra Pradesh 1992, he unveiled the statue of Kavayitri Molla on the Tankband in 1986, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh are a few. ‘Andhrasri’, ‘Kalasaraswathi’, Sahiti Samrat’, ‘Katha Chakravarthi’, are the titles conferred on him. Singapore, Malayasia, Mauritius, Jordan, Jerusalem, Singapore, Canada and U.S.A are the countries he had visited as a part of his academic activities.

FAMILY MAN

            Prof.Kolakaluri Enoch is a family man. He loves his family immensely and his family members honour him to the core. Late Smt. K.Vishramthamma and late Sri K.Ramaiah are his parents. Smt.K.Marthamma, retired Teacher, Guntur is his sister and K.Nagabhushanamma, retired Station Manger, Railway Bangalore is his brother. His children Dr.K.Asha Jyoti, Professor of Telugu Bangalore University, Bangalore, Sri K.Srikiran, Senior Manger, Vizag Steel Plant, Hyderabad, Dr.K.Madhu Jyothi, Professor, Telugu, S.P.Mahila University, Tirupati, Dr.K.Sumakiran, Associate Professor of English, S.V .University, Tirupati love him very much and they never deviate themselves from the path he has shown to them to walk along.

            His daughter Dr.K.Ashajyoti and Dr.K.Madhu Jyoti instituted two awards in the names of his mother (Kolakaluri Vishranthamma Puruskaram) and wife (Kolakaluri Bhagirathi Puruskaram) to be given to two best works of any two literary genres published in one calendar year. A momento and cash prize of Rs.10,000/- each is given to the two best works every year.