Born in 1969 in Peddemul village, Gogu Shyamala is a philosopher, poet, and prolific story writer working in the Telugu language. Hailed as a landmark in Telangana Dalit literature, Father May Be An Elephant… is her first collection, and has also been published in German translation. She has also edited a collection of Telangana Madiga poetry, and works on biographies of significant Dalit female political leaders.