ಕಥೆಯ ಕೈ ಹಿಡಿದು (ವಿಮರ್ಶಾತ್ಮಕ ಲೇಖನಗಳು)

This is a critical appreciation book that selects, contemplates, and analyzes stories born in the last century. Amarendra is a passionate reader of Kannada literature and a teacher who imparts knowledge with affection. He has preserved the inner self of the writer amidst the onslaught of technology and media that demolish the writer's personality. Although he himself is a capable storyteller, throughout the work, he has shown humility in understanding the structural design, subject matter, language usage, and worldview presented by the stories, which are creative tools. This work closely examines twenty-five stories, starting from the story of Panje Mangesh Rao, the pioneer of the Kannada short story genre, to the recent story by Vasudhendra. Amarendra has shown the courage to bring together such a diverse range of stories, backgrounds of various social worlds, and writers in one place. Along with the insight into the narrative experience of storytellers who have expanded the Kannada narrative genre, this work indirectly introduces readers to the history of how the short story genre has evolved in Kannada and the creative challenges it has faced. Amarendra has brought out this work with the desire to share the joy of his reading experience with readers. Since the articles here follow the method of text-centric criticism, they have attained a touch of emotional intensity. These writings can be read individually from the worldview presented by the story and collectively by placing them alongside the Kannada narrative tradition. Amarendra has effectively expressed the experience of cultural hybridity gained from the trilingual environment of the Kolar region in his narrative talent.

Although Amarendra started his engagement with the world through stories, he later cultivated novels, plays, criticism, and translation genres, and you have earned the appreciation of readers. This work by Amarendra serves as a guide to enter the multifaceted and vast world of Kannada stories.

-Dr. K.Y. Narayanaswamy