The Tree of Life (A Novel) and Short Stories (Hardbound - 2002)

In his novels and short stories R.S. Sudarshanam tries to explore the innermost thoughts of his characters. His characters are usually in search of the fundamental truth which will explain the ultimate meaning of life.

In Tree of Life there are two main characters — one is a materialist and rationalist, the other is an idealist. They argue endlessly about the meaning of human existence. Both seem to be correct from their respective philosophical standpoints.

In his short stories we find the same philosophical quest — man in search of his soul, in search of the meaning of life, in search of synthesis between various contradictory points of view. Advaita philosophy is the ultimate message in all the short stories of Sudarsanam.

Life can never be the same after reading Sudarshanam’s fiction.

R.S. Sudarshanam (1927) was born at Madanapalle, the birth place of world renowned philosopher J. Krishnamurthi. He took his M.A. in English from Madras University. He worked as Lecturer in English and later as Principal of various government colleges in Andhra Pradesh and retired in 1985 as Regional Joint Director of Higher Education.

Sudarshanam’s works include: Fiction — Anubandhalu (1958), Mallee Vasantham (1960), Asura Sandhya (1965) and Samsara Vriksham (1976); Collections of short stories — Kaalam Thechina Maarpu (1964) and Madhura Meenakshi (1981); Poetry Nishantham (1970); Criticism —Sahityamlo Drikpathalu (1968), Sahityam-Samajam (1972), Sahitya Nepathyam (1983), Nooru Sameekshalu (1987), Kavi Hridayamu (1988) and G.V. Chalam: A Monograph (1990).

For his contribution to Telugu literature, Sudarshanam was honoured with many awards. The most notable among them is the Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi Award (twice — for criticism as well as for fiction).