Prajashakthi Publishing House

“Prajashakthi Publishing Book House” was started in Vijayawada in 1942, along with “Prajashakthi newspaper”, an official journal of the then undivided communist party of India(C.P.I). Then onwards, the publishing house has been publishing several books.

In 1944, it published auto-biography and other works of Kandukuri Veeresha Lingam, an eminent social reformer. Later, it published “Mutyala Saralu” and other works of Gurujada Venkata Appa Rao, an eminent dramatist and poet in Telugu. In 1945, it published biography of Gidugu Ramamurthy Panthulu, written by his son. Later, it published books of famous writers like Koku(Kondavaganti Kutumba Rao), Chaso and Bollimuntha Shivarama Krishna. However, its activities were completely disturbed after 1948 because of the then political scenario and the book house remained completely inactive for a long time.

In 1960s, a publishing house by name “Marxist Pracharanalu” was established as a successive organization of “Prajashakthi Publishing House”. It published several social and theoretical books for 10 years. “Veera Telangana_Viplava Poratam (Revolutinary war of Telangana and its lessons) by Comrade Puchhalapalli Sundarayya, an eminent communist leader, “Stalin Yugam(The era of Stalin)”, written by Mootoru Hanumantha Rao and “Telangana Sayudha poratam, Vasthavalu(Armour war of Telangana and facts)”, written by Comrade Basava Punnaiah, are some of the books published by the published house.

In 1977, the publishing house was shifted to Eluru road(present day Karl Marx road), from Prajashakthi news paper office. New premises of the publishing house was inaugurated by Comrade Puchhalapalli Sundarayya. At the same time, the book house was renamed after “Prajashakthi book house” by Comrade. Bommareddy Venkateswara Rao, a senior journalist in “Prajashakthi News Paper”.

Hyderabad branch was started in 1994.

Hanumakonda branch was started in 1996.

Tirupathi branch was started in 1997.

Nalgonda branch was started in 1998.

Gunturu branch was started in 2002.

The book house developed rapidly after 1990’s. Nowadays, it publish 100 books a year. It also started publishing English books from 2002. It also conducts various books exhibitions in various districts and literary meetings in Hyderabad to promote progressive literature among readers.

Disha Book Centre

“Disha Book Centre” was established on 6^th August, 1994 by four literary persons namely Sheela Veeraraju, Vasireddy Naveen, Nandhini Sidha Reddy, and K.Bal Reddy. Disha book centre is not a profit making organisation. Its main objective is to act as a link between readers and writers. As the organisation was started by progressive writers, the organisation only sells progressive literature. It does not sell either spiritual literature or commercial literature. Even Vishalaandhra Book House lifted all restrictions about the contents of the books. As a result, it has been selling all kinds of books including commercial and spiritual ones, for a long time.

“Disha Book Centre” charges only 30% commission on the books they sell, from the writers and publishers while other book centers charge 40% commission on the sold books. It provides 15% discount to its customers while well-known book houses like “Praja Shakthi” provide only 10% discount to its customers. “Vishalandhra” does not provide any discount to its customers until they become members of their book society. “Disha Book Center” charges only 25% commission on magazines. “Disha Book Center” made a great name during 13 years of its journey. Its annual turnover was only Rs.40, 000/- in 1994. By 2007, it reached Rs.2, 00, 000/-.

Sheela Veeraraju, famous writer and artist is the president of “Readers and Writers Association”, established by Disha Book Center. K. Shiva Reddy, well-known poet and a recipient of “Cental Sahitya Academy Award”, is the secretary of the association. Vasireddy Naveen, Nandhini Sidha Reddy, and K. Bal Reddy are excutive members of the association.

Nowadays, they are also selling cassettes and CDs. It is kept open from 10AM to 8 PM. It remains closed on Sundays as it is a public holiday. The organisation also displays its books at various literary meetings conducted both in city as well as in districts. The book centre accepts the books even published by other book centers like “Praja Shakthi” and “Vishalandhra”. It does not treat other book houses as its rivals.

If you want to contact “Disha Book Centre” either to buy any book or to sell any of your published books, you contact: (040) 27640574.