The Story Behind Bala Books Publications — A Tribute to My Father’s Literary Legacy

The Story Behind Bala Books Publications — A Tribute to My Father’s Literary Legacy

Bala Books Publications is not merely a publishing house. It is a heartfelt initiative, born from personal loss, enduring inspiration, and a deep-rooted love for literature. It stands as a tribute to my beloved father, Sri Late M.S. Bhaskar, whose life was devoted to the pursuit and sharing of knowledge.

My father began his journey as an English lecturer and retired as an Associate Professor in English in 2018. Over the decades, he nurtured thousands of students, instilling in them a passion for language, learning, and the power of expression. His dedication to teaching was not just a profession—it was his purpose.

I come from a family of educators—my grandparents were teachers, and so is my mother. Naturally, my father hoped I would follow in the same path. With his encouragement, I pursued an M.A. and B.Ed in English, preparing myself for a future in academics.

However, life had a different course in store for me. After marriage and becoming a mother of two, I found deep joy in my family life. Yet, within me remained a quiet longing—to achieve something of my own, something meaningful. From the very beginning, my husband and my entire family, my best friend Mohana stood by me, offering their unwavering encouragement and support. Their belief in me became the foundation on which I could begin building this dream.

I worked with a book publishing company for three years, gaining invaluable insights into the industry. Then, in 2024, a personal tragedy struck—my father fell seriously ill and passed away. His loss left a void that words could not fill.

In the midst of grief, a thought emerged:
“Rather than mourning, why not celebrate his life and legacy?”
That was the moment Bala Books Publications was born—on January 20th, 2025, named in honor of my father, and dedicated to the values he held dear.

Starting Alone, Moving Forward with Support

As a solo founder, stepping into publishing without prior experience was a daunting challenge. Finding work and building trust in the literary world was not easy. But I was not entirely alone in the journey. I was fortunate to receive the guidance and support of respected individuals like Lavanya Srinivas, an esteemed storyteller, and Aakula Krishna garu, a gifted writer and translator. Their encouragement and introductions opened doors to a vibrant literary community, helping me connect with passionate translators and authors.

Today, I am proud to say that we have a full year of meaningful publications ahead—a promising beginning that brings hope, stability, and purpose to this endeavor.

Our First Publications

Within just the first few months, Bala Books has published three impactful titles:

Viswakatha Veedhi – A collection of world short stories translated by Puripanda Appalaswamy
Seema Swaralu – A thought-provoking short story collection by Dr. V. R. Rasani
Pelli Kathalu – A compelling anthology of stories on marriage by Prof. M. Jayadev

Each of these works reflects our mission—to present quality literature that resonates across generations and languages.

Our Mission & Vision

At Bala Books, we believe that stories are bridges—connecting cultures, languages, and hearts. Our work is guided by a clear and purposeful mission:

🎯 Our Mission
To bring stories closer to people by translating and publishing literature from other languages into Telugu, and from Telugu into other languages, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.

🌿 Our Vision
To preserve the richness of literary heritage by republishing timeless, non-copyrighted books, keeping their wisdom and spirit alive for future generations.