Kothi Kommachi in Audio

Finally and finally! A Telugu book is now available in audio too. What a feast it would be, to have the mellifluous SPB rendering the ribtickling prose of Mullapudi Venkataramana, while Bapu’s cartoons continue to spell the magic! Mainly aimed to target Telugus who are Telugu illiterates, this venture of bringing Kothi Kommachchi in audio is bound to enthrall millions of Telugus all over the world. And on behalf of all Mullapudi fans and Telugu Literature lovers spread across the globe, pustakam.net profusely thanks Anuradha Mullapudi for giving us an opportunity to know more about the audio book. – Purnima, Sowmya.

The following is the interview done over the email.

So, beginning at the beginning, what prompted the idea of audio book?(The entire story behind it please..)

Not much of a story.. My husband I had got a lot of calls inquiring about the book here in the USA. And some of them were saying how they make time even in their crazy schedules to read the book, and find so much relief in their everyday routines. And of course, there are enough people here who love Bapu-Ramana’s movies but have only heard about Mullapudi’s humor and wish they could read. The list is led by my Tamilian husband who loves Bapu–Ramana’s film work.

So we figured, why not make an audio version of the book… so even folks who cannot read, but understand Telugu can enjoy his work.

Whose idea it was?

Frankly – it came from Karthik, my husband, who is a Tamilian, but has met enough Telugus in the US to know how well-loved Mullapudi’s writings are. He came up with the idea, we bounced it off my brother, Vara Mullapudi, who loved the idea and then it went to my mother, who is usually our bouncing board for ideas.

What was the main motive behind the audio book? Who are the intended readers, rather listeners?

Just to reach Mullapudi’s work – starting with his autobiography – to anyone who can understand Telugu and loves a good laugh. There are plenty of us here who can read, but find very little time, who spend more time in our cars than we do at home; those of us who cannot read, but understand and love their movies, and those who don’t mind reading and listening to Mullapudi’s work in any format.

How did Ramana gaaru respond to the idea of audio book?

It took us close to a year to convince Mullapudi garu to let us go ahead with the audio version. Bapu garu was more amenable to the idea since he is a little more tech-savvy than Mullapudi. His major objection was that only the older generation would be interested, the younger ones don’t know, wouldn’t be interested…

(The younger lot needs to make hell of a noise here. We LOVE Mullapudi’s works, don’t we? 🙂 Louder answer, folks! )

It took many phone calls from me and my brother, many trips for my husband and much persuasion from my mother before he agreed.

How difficult was the path from idea to implementation?

Well, once we fixed on the idea, we all sat down to make a list of people whom we could approach as narrators. That done, we made a few pilots and then got down to the final recording. The entire recording process was handled by Vara Mullapudi for the pilot versions.

When Mullapudi garu asked Sri SPB garu if he would read the first chapter, he immediately agreed and in fact read chapters 1-5 – and in a single sitting!! It was recorded in his studio in Chennai. The rest of the chapters are getting ready as I write.

Is this the first time you got involved in the business of your father’s books?

Absolutely.

Do you have any prior experience in book publishing in any format?

None at all.

How has been the initial response so far for the sample audio files?

We have not really marketed it in a big way; we’re waiting for at least 2 instalments to be done before taking it to media. But it’s been pretty good so far.

What parts of Kothi Komachchi and Inkothi Komachchi are now available in audio?

Chapters 1-5

How did SPB become the choice for reading the book? The teasers in your site sound heaven. 🙂

Mullapudi garu called him one day, just to check if he would do the introduction, and he agreed right away.

We are very thankful to SPB garu who not only did the reading, but also composed and sang the title song! Truly amazing work and we are very thankful for his time.

Audio book wouldn’t have the magic of Bapu ji’s bommalu?! Sigh! 🙁

Unfortunately not in the downloadable version, but once it is ready for release as an audio CD in India, yes Bapu garu’s presence will be unmistakable.

Are these audio versions available in India?

Not yet..

What would be the price range of the book, in US and in India?

Chapters 1-5 are available for download in the USA for $1.99 currently.

Kothi Kommachi site will be the only way to get this book?

As of now, yes.

With e-reader gadgets like kindle, ipods etc on spree, any plans to get the e-version of Kothi Komachchi series too?

Definitely yes. Kothi Kommachi is top of mind, so we began with this book. But we do have plans to get Budugu and other favorites as e-versions too…

Are you planning for any other of Mullapudi gari books in audio too?

Eventually yes. God willing. And yes, Bapu-Ramana willing too!

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Kothi kOmmacchi audio site here. Listen to the teasers on the same page.

Send in your comments straight to the awesome trio – Bapu-Ramana-Balu- here. You can also leave your feedback as comments over here.