For Malathi Rao, now settled in Bangalore after a 30-year teaching stint with the Delhi University, writing had become an obsession.

She chose to keep that passion alive by penning innumerable articles on ideologies, existential issues and the English language, many of which were even published in Deccan Herald. Her short stories were further proof of that undying forte.

‘Very happy’
Speaking to the author at her residence in Bangalore, Deccan Herald found her to be “very happy” on receiving the Sahitya Akademi Award in English. She felt elated that the book Disorderly Women has won the award for her. “This book seems to have appealed to a lot of people,” she observed.

The award was also a testimony to the growing popularity of Indian writing in English.

“A lot of writers are now doing well in Indian writing. It is a very good sign,” she said, adding that the regional language writers too were equally active.