Kota Neelima – Noted politician and author known for addressing rural themes

Kota Neelima is a well-known politician, researcher and author, best known for her non-fiction work, Widows of Vidarbha: Making of Shadows. She has also authored several novels, and research works primarily focussing on rural issues, marginalized communities and farmer problems. She also writes columns on inequality, politics and many other topics on almost all Indian leading journals and dailies. She is also recognized as a political commentator and artist. She is married to noted Congress politician, Pawan Khera.

Kota Neelima grew up in a region closely tied to rural life which deeply influenced her interests later

Neelima was born in undivided Andhra Pradesh into an intellectual family. Her father K.V.S. Rama Sarma was a noted journalist and author. Kota Neelima also owns a strong academic background. She obtained a Ph.D in Political Science from University of Delhi, and a Master of Arts in International Relations from JNU, Delhi. Her education in political science and international relations, shaped her career as a writer and researcher.

Her books belong to genres of both fiction and non-fiction reflecting rural problems and women issues

A noted woman author from India, she is a leading name among contemporary writers. Some of her well-noted books include – Riverstones, Moneylender, Shoes of the Dead, The Honest Season, Widows of Vidarbha: Making of Shadows etc. Neelima is also a painter whose work often incorporates charcoal sketching before paint. She has interest in photography too.

Kota Neelima – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. She has been a Senior Research Fellow, South Asia Studies at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC.

2. In 2016 noted Tamil filmmaker Vetrimaaran known for addressing social issues through his films, planned a film adaptation of her novel “Shoes of the Dead”. But until now, there are no updates on project’s development.

3. She regularly participates in literary festivals and discussions.