FILMS

"Atma Gowravam"(Annapoorna Pictures) is a domestic drama presented in a restrained manner. Humour inherent in the dialogue- a highlight of the picture- providing pleasant entertainment. The story by Maruthi Rao and Yeddanapudi Sulochanarani and dialogue by Maruthi Rao and Bhamidipati Radhakrishna form the main attraction of the film.

NOVELS

"Pidikedu Akasam" has the bitter tale of Sita whose faith in human goodness is rudely shaken by successive betrayals. The reader often finds himself in sympathy with the characters, sharing the emotions, feeling elated at their success and depressed at their misfortunes.

-The Hindu 6.9.1968

"A novelty of this book (Mallee Railu Tappipopoyindi) is that, while the current story takes place overnight on the Vijayawada railway platform, the events leading to the present state of each character encountered on the platform are narrated in alternate chapters through flashbacks.The language is simple and racy. Exciting reading.

-The Sunday Standard, 25.4.1971

ESSAYS

Kalavani: The book is a unique compendium of Essays written by several eminent writers and it would be extremely useful in the dramatic field. Dr.C.Narayana Reddy described the book as a great achievement.

-The Indian Express

This book is a welcome addition to the corpus of Telugu Dramatic Literature. It is original and unlike the earlier attempts made in this field, is an informal history of Telugu Theatrical activity of the last 100years…Some of the interpretations and the insights herein are freshly original.

-Prof.M.N.Sarma

THEATRE

GO TO HELL: "Gollapudi Maruthi Rao's latest Telugu drama has a gripping story…It makes the audience uncomfortable, pinpricking them about the modern world's ways.

-The Sunday Standard, March 5,1978

The play "GO TO HELL" breaks the monotony set by a number of stereotyped melodramatic social plays. It is welcome for the way it provides some food for thought.

-The Hindu, March 10,1978

This bold Telugu Play is remarkable for the chosen and for the way it puts it across. Shakes the spectator out of his complacency and makes him aware of the hard realities of life.

-The Indian Express, 5.6.1977

VANAVELISINA RATHRI (Playet)….Sri Gollapudi Maruthi Rao has succeeded well in presenting the problems facing the poor Harijans. It was really a very interesting and heart rending drama.

-D.SANJIVAYYA Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh, 14.4.1961

The title "LAVALO ERRA GULABI" (a red-rose in lava) sounds eerie and fearful. The play keeps the hearts throbbing. And narration, despite its familiar character, takes the audience into its grip.

-The Hindu, 15.2.1974

VANDEMATARAM: Among the recent publications is a playlet entitled "Vandemataram'. In it is presented a slice of NEFA life..The play breathes a spirit of patriotism and sacrifice. Obviously Mr.Maruthi Rao has flown to NEFA on the wings of his imagination to give us a grim picture of the border life.

-The Indian Express, 18.2.1963

NIZAM NIDRA POYINDI: "The play, which was much appreciated by the audience was indicative of the development of modern theatre in the state. Maruthi Rao, the author and director of the play, deserves praise for blazing new trails in the field of playwriting.

-The Deccan Chronicle, January 17, 1965

SAYANKALAMAINDI - Novel

….you have elaborately depicted the mutual contradictions in two completely new traditions when they had to meet with each other, the invariable difficulties in their reciprocal interpretation and the inherent constraints in such an attempt. All the characters you created are real and completely apt. But there is one character which can only be created by a writer of an extraordinary calibre-a character not seemingly very important to the theme of the story, which just flashes as a lightning in some of the pages of the novel…the character seem to me as one embedded with many faces, each invaluable and each pregnant with untold messages. The novel is readable even just for the best craftsmanship involved in the creation of this character.