Pedda Balasiksha going great guns

Visakhapatnam: Pedda Balasiksha is considered as the Bible for not only learning basics but also various shades of words in Telugu language is still going great guns.

The publication of this unique compendium of not only grammar but also important aspects of Telugu language is being published in a huge number and crossed 10.24 lakh by the end of September 30, 2017. In the era of Google, the Telugu people are still considering Pedda Balasiksha as a corner stone for Telugu language and culture.

Since 1857, the book has been receiving massive response from Telugu people and 167th volume is flooding the market.

Right from Telugu alphabets, rhymes, poems, grammar and various topics covering the knowledgeable topics right from the space to underwater sciences, Pedda Balasiksha has become an encyclopaedia in Telugu language.

The book, which is not only for the children of all ages, but also the book has been covering complete Telugu culture, tradition and customs related to the literature, arts, culture, morals, games and maximum extent of research topics. With the huge stuff related to Telugu, Pedda Balasiksha is still considering to be academic syllabus for Telugu students across the globe.

In fact, the first publication of the book in the name of Balala Viveka Kalpa Taruvu was published in 1832, later, it was updated in various versions.

P Seetharama Sastry wrote the first book later updated in 1856 with 78 pages. Later, several authors wrote similar books. Since 1960, there are several other publications entered the market with similar subject but failed to compete with Pedda Balasiksha updated version of Gajula Satyanarayana. With a strong concept to promote Telugu language and culture, the publishers sold the book at Rs 116. However, with the news print cost increased and other expenditure cost shoot up, the book cost increased to Rs 153.

The most popular writer Gajula Satyanarayana releasing the updated version of the book from Vijayawada. “As I am insisting not to increase the book cost, the publishers are not coming forward to print the book. Noota Padaharlu (116) is having a Telugu tradition and I sold the book at Rs 116 over 15 years. However, as there is no alternative, the cost increased to Rs 153 and now I am printing and marketing the book. In the recent times, people are buying the book and presenting it to the children at birthday parties and several other occasions.

There are several parvams (chapters) in the book, including Bhasha Vignana, Samskruthi Sampradayam, Balananda, Sathaka, Neeti Katha, Sankhya Vachaka, Adhyatimka, Computer, Ganitham, Vignana Sastra, Vasthu Sastra, Panchanga Sastra, Arogya, Mahila, Kreeda, Andhra Pradesh and Bharatha Desam and Prapancha Parvams, and the book is now available in the market in 1200 pages. Some of the Telugu post graduates are also doing PhD on Pedda Balasiksha.

“According to changes in the society, education, employment and several other sectors, we are updating Pedda Balasiksha. Still as a motto to provide the book to each Telugu student we are selling the book at ‘No loss-No Profit’, Satyanarayana told The Hans India.