Penguin Random House India is delighted to announce the publication of Amma’s Diary, the English translation of the Telugu literary phenomenon Amma Dairylo Konni Pageelu by acclaimed author Ravi Mantri. Slated for release later in 2025, under the Ebury Press imprint, this tender and introspective novel highlights the hidden interior lives of the women we call “Amma”.
At its heart, Amma’s Diary is an elegy for unspoken lives. In a culture that often celebrates the youthful adventures of men, but draws a veil over the pasts of women, Ravi Mantri’s novel asks: What if we dared to read the pages of our mothers’ forgotten stories? What might we learn if we saw them not as the silent anchors of our homes, but as individuals shaped by desire, heartbreak, and the hope of second chances?
Through the quiet voice of Sarika, whose long-lost love story is rediscovered by the next generation, Amma’s Diary becomes a chronicle of time, memory, and the inherited weight of choices made and unmade. It is a novel that speaks to the ache of things unsaid, and the healing that comes when old silences are finally broken.
Sharing his thoughts on the book, author Ravi Mantri reflects, ‘From the hearts of the Telugu states to the hearts of the nation — Amma Diarylo Konni Pageelu, the cherished love story of Sarika and Ram, is coming to life in English! I hope you are ready to experience the magic, now in a language for everyone.’
Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Senior VP, Adult Publishing Group, PRH India, says, ‘Amma’s Diary is a poignant and beautifully written narrative that captures the essence of human emotions, relationships, and experiences. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit. We are thrilled to share this remarkable work with our readers, and I welcome Ravi Mantri to Penguin Random House India.’
A quiet triumph of emotional storytelling, Amma’s Diary is not merely a translation—it is a reclamation. It affirms that the most powerful stories are often those hidden in plain sight, passed down not through proclamation, but through gentle remembering. This book invites us to see our mothers anew—not only as givers of life, but as women who once dared to live fully, love deeply, and write their own pages.
Originally published in Telugu by Aju Publications, an imprint of Sapien Stories Pvt. Ltd., the book quickly became a literary sensation selling nearly 200,000 copies within its first year. Its phenomenal success has not only struck an emotional chord with readers but has also inspired a renewed belief among Indian language publishers and writers in the power of culturally rooted narratives.
About the Author
Ravi Mantri was born in Andhra Pradesh, South India. He pursued his master’s degree from the JNTU College of Engineering before moving to Ireland for work. A business analyst during the day, Ravi’s nights in Ireland were spent reading and writing Telugu books. Ravi has penned several short stories that have been published in renowned Telugu magazines. He embarked on his literary journey in 2019 with his debut novel, *Amma Dairylo Konni Pageelu*. The novel became a national bestseller and won the hearts of many readers. An avid social media influencer, he actively creates relatable content for his followers. Ravi is currently working on his second novel.