The Sound of the kiss, or the story that must never be told : translated from Telugu by Velcheru Narayana Rao and David Shulman

In this sixteenth-century masterpiece of Telugu literature, from the region now known as Andhra Pradesh, Suranna recounts the story of a young courtesan who falls in love with the most handsome man in the universe and overhears him speaking of a mysterious person whose story must never be told. Burning with curiosity and desire, she ventures to the god Krishna's palace, where much intrigue and adventure ensue. __The Sound of the Kiss__ is considered by some to be the first novel written in South Asia, and the translation of this classic fills a gap in the literature of the East. Composed in the mid-sixteenth century, __The Sound of the Kiss__, or __The Story That Must Never Be Told__, could be considered the first novel written in South Asia. Telugu, the language spoken in today's Andhra Pradesh region of southern India, has a classical literary tradition extending over a thousand years. Suranna's masterpiece comes from a period of intense creativity in Telugu, when great poets produced strikingly modern innovations. The novel explodes preconceived ideas about early South Indian literature: for example, that the characters lack interiority, that the language is formulaic, and that Telugu texts are mere translations of earlier Sanskrit works. Employing the poetic style known as __campu__, which mixes verse and prose, Pingali Suranna's work transcends our notions of traditional narrative. "I wanted to have the structure of a complex narrative no one had ever known," he said of his great novel, "with rich evocations of erotic love, and also descriptions of gods and temples that would be a joy to listen to." __The Sound of the Kiss__ is both a gripping love story and a profound meditation on mind and language. Shulman and Rao include a thorough introduction that provides a broader understanding of, and appreciation for, the complexities and subtleties of this text. Composed In The Mid-sixteenth Century, ...[this] Could Be Considered The First Novel Written In South Asia...employing The Poetic Style Known As Campu, Which Mixes Verse And Prose, Pingali Suranna's Work Transcends Our Notions Of Tranditionl Narrative.... [this Novel] Is Both A Gripping Love Story And A Profound Meditation On Mind Nd Language.--back Cover. The Beginning -- Dvaraka City, Where The Story Begins -- Kalabhashini On The Swing And Rambha In The Sky -- Narada Studies Music -- Enter Manistambha -- Manikandhara's Pilgrimage -- Rambha Entices Manikandhara -- Kalabhashini Flies Off With The Siddha -- The Temple Of The Lion-riding Goddess -- Kalabhashini Returns -- Rambha Meets Rambha -- Nalakubara Meets Nalakubara -- The Story Of Salina And Sugatri -- Enter Alaghuvrata. Kalabhashini Is Sacrificed -- Manistambha Tours The World With His Wife -- The Baby Who Talks -- Sarasvati Decodes Brahma's Story -- Manistambha And Sumukhasatti Exchange Genders -- A Lecture On Yoga -- Svabhava And Madasaya At Srisailam -- Manikandhara Fights The Porcupine Demon -- The Story Of Alaghuvrata And His Sons -- Satvadatma's Question -- Madhuralalasa Comes Of Age -- Kalapurna In Love -- The Wedding Of Kalapurna And Madhuralalasa -- Abhinavakaumudi Becomes Jealous -- Kalapurna Conquers The World -- Homecoming -- The Story Of The Necklace -- Invitation To A Second Reading. Piṅgaḷi Sūrana ; Translated From Telugu By Velcheru Narayana Rao And David Shulman. Piṅgaḷi Sūrana's Kaḷāpūrṇodayamu Includes Bibliographical References And Index.