Vaidehi (Janaki Srinivas Murthy, b. 1945) is a prominent Kannada writer known for her short stories, novel, poetry, and translations. Celebrated by fellow writer Vijaya Dabbe as a “new milestone in Kannada literature,” her works stand out for their subtle, unusual, and emotionally resonant style. Rather than advocating ideologies, she reflects on inner life, the mystery of existence, and the fading grip of tradition in favour of personal voices.
Her major works include the award-winning novel Aspru-shyaru (Untouchables, 1982), short story collections like Mara Gida Balli (1979), Antarangada Putagalu (1984), and Gola (1986), the poetry collection Bindu Bindige (1990), and translations of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and Maitrayee Mukhopadhyay.
Born in Kundapura, Karnataka, in a joint family, Vaidehi’s childhood was steeped in tradition, festivity, and nature, shaped by a loving yet strict mother and a devout father. Introverted and self-doubting in youth, she gained confidence with her brother’s support. Marriage and 13 years in her in-laws’ household deepened her understanding of women’s struggles, though her husband encouraged her writing.
Vaidehi also reinterpreted Kalidasa’s Shakuntala – An Afternoon with Shakuntala from a feminist perspective, preserving its lyrical style while highlighting female suffering, resilience, and silenced voices, thereby challenging the male-centred narrative of the classic.
WORKS CITED
Vaidehi. Asprushyaru [ಅಸ್ಪೃಶ್ಯರು]. Akshara Prakashana, 2010 (1st ed.) / 2025 (4th ed.).
Vaidehi. Bindu Bindige. Akshara Prakashana, 1990.
Dr Aswathy Aravindakshan is a teacher, bilingual writer and artist with over two decades of experience in teaching English language and literature. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of English at NSS College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Her blog, ashlit.in brings together academic resources, creative writing in Malayalam and English, and visual art. The platform features lecture notes, study materials, poems, reflections, short prose, and a curated collection of her paintings. Through this space, she seeks to foster learning, creativity, and meaningful engagement with literature and the arts.
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