Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

‘Lexicography of Telangana Telugu should be written’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

A roundtable on Telangana Telugu discusses ways in which the language could be promoted and standardised

A noted researcher in Telugu literature and language, Velchala Kondal Rao, said that Telugu was born in Telangana and Telangana Telugu is the very existence of the Telugu community here.

Delivering the keynote address at the round table conference on Telangana Telugu jointly organised by the Telangana Social, Economical and Cultural Research and Study Centre and Department of Telugu at the Telangana University, on Thursday, he said, “Insult to our language, accent, culture and literature is one of the major reasons for the bifurcation of the united Telugu State”.

“Protecting our language and accent is nothing but protecting our self-esteem. We need to promote our language to make it earn a greater position in the country,” he said.

Telangana University Vice-Chancellor C. Parthasarathy said that efforts must be made to standardise Telangana Telugu. While going to the roots of Telangana Telugu, research should be done to promote it in all spheres, he said.

“In the wake of globalisation when languages are vanishing, the responsibility is on us to protect and popularise our mother tongue to give it to our progeny. In an effort to make it a standard language, we need to carry out research on it and Telangana Telugu lexicography has to be written,” he said.

Head of the Department of Telugu, Kanakaiah, disclosed that Telangana University plans to introduce a separate course on Telangana Telugu in post-graduation in its south campus, Biknoor to bring back its past glory. Participants in the roundtable were requested to prepare syllabus for the course, he said.

Appreciating the efforts of the Telugu Study Centre to protect Telangana Telugu, Registrar R. Limbadri said that this was the first ever attempt in the newly-formed State. Syllabus of the proposed new course must be in consonance with the syllabus of the UPSC and the TSPSC competitive examinations, he added.

Famous literati Nandini Sidha Reddy, Jayadhir Tirumal Rao and Nalimela Bhaskar participated in the debate.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Nizamabad – February 12th, 2016

Monograph on writer Suddhala Hanumanthu released

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Poet Venu Sankoju, the author of the monograph on Suddala Hanumanthu.— Photo: Singam Venkataramana
Poet Venu Sankoju, the author of the monograph on Suddala Hanumanthu.— Photo: Singam Venkataramana

The Akademi had assigned the job to famous poet and writer from Nalgonda, Venu Sankoju. It was brought out under the title ‘The Makers of Indian Literature’.

Paying tributes to noted writer Suddhala Hanumanthu (1910-1982), who had actively taken part in the Telangana Armed Rebellion, Sahitya Akademi brought out a monograph on his life and contributions to Telugu language.

The Akademi had assigned the job to famous poet and writer from Nalgonda, Venu Sankoju. It was brought out under the title ‘The Makers of Indian Literature’ by the Akademi with an intention to reintroducing famous Indian writers to younger generation, especially those who had made outstanding contribution to Indian literature and language throughout their life. The author, Venu Sankoju, told The Hindu that the oppression of people by landlords during the Nizam rule had inspired Suddhala Hanumanthu to become a writer and singer. To highlight the plight of rural people during the Nizam rule, Mr. Venu Sankoju said writer Hanumanthu had given folk performances like Yakshaganam, Burrakatha, Gollasuddulu, Rajakiya Sadhuveshalu and others to sensitise the people.

Mr. Sankoju said the death of Doddi Komaraiah and Chakali Ilamma’s heroic fight against Visunur Desmukh motivated writer Hanumanthu.

Explaining the life of the poor during the Nizam era, the author had given a detail account in the 102-page monograph on the practice of bonded labour which writer Hanumanthu strongly opposed. His association with Arya Samaj and his family’s migration from Paladugu village to Suddhala village was found mention. Mr. Sankoju said when shoot at site orders were issued by the Nizam in 1947 against writer Hanumanthu, he fled to Bombay and worked as a tailor for a living.

It is be a must read for people who love to read the crucial phase in the Telangana history.

Mr. Venu Sankoju, a retired lecturer, has written many poems like Manishiga Puche Matti , Manam , Nelakala , Prana Pradhamina and others and he was editor the editor of Veera Telangana monthly. He has also won Sahitya Purashkaram given by the Telugu University.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by T. Karnakar Reddy / Nalgonda – February 01st, 2016

A Recognition to Telangana Talent

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Hyderabad :

The Padma Shri award has come as a late recognition to K Laxma Goud, the versatile and prolific artist who introduced the cultural tradition and rustic life in Telangana to the world through his canvas. His paintings has an indigenous identity representing the Telangana way of life. His powerful drawings and skillfully rendered etchings have influenced many of his contemporaries.

At the center of Laxma Goud’s practice lies the magic of making, an intense, passionate communion with tools, techniques and materials. Laxma Goud’s illustrious career has been marked with an all-encompassing diversity and high degree of craftsmanship both in medium and style. What made the prolific artist stand apart is his writhing, bleeding line. He has worked effortlessly in a wide array of mediums, such as painting, etching, pastels, gouache, sculpture (bronze, terracotta etc) and glass painting. He is known for his graceful, albeit highly powerful line drawings, watercolor works and etchings.

Padma shri K Laxma Goud Categery: Art-Painting (Telangana)
Padma shri K Laxma Goud Categery: Art-Painting (Telangana)

Laxma Goud drew the attention of art world for his technical expertise his startling, refreshing take on rural life. He grew as an artist during the time he spent at the art school of Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda learning traditional mural techniques under the mentorship of K G Subramanyan.

Born in Nizampur of TS in 1940, he completed his diploma in drawing & painting at the Government College of Art & Architecture, Hyderabad (1963). He then studied mural painting and printmaking (1963-65) at M S University, Baroda. Among his select solo exhibitions are ‘Laxma Goud 40 years: A Retrospective’ at Aicon Gallery, New York (2007); Sculptures – bronze and terracotta, Guild Art Gallery, Mumbai (2006); Aicon Gallery, New York (2003); and Grey Art Gallery, New York (2001-02). His significant group shows and participations are ‘ From the Vault’, Aicon Gallery (2007); Back to the Future, Gallery Espace, New Delhi (2006); ‘Indian Art Tomorrow’, Philips Collection, Washington D.C. (1986); and São Paulo Biennale, Brazil (1977) among others. Notably, he was among the most represented artists in the Chester & Davida Herwitz Family Collection.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / January 26th, 2016

Telugu states bag 14 Padma awards

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology, Sports

Hyderabad :

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh once again made their mark on the national stage with 14 individuals from the two Telugu speaking states bagging the Padma awards.

Between them, the two states shared two Padma Vibhushan awards, five Padma Bhushans and seven Padma Shris for the year 2016. The awards were announced in New Delhi on the eve of the Republic Day on Tuesday.

Last year, the two states had to settle for four Padma Shri awards while the year before in 2014, unified AP had the honour of receiving two Padma Bhushans and seven Padma Shri awards.

Leading the winners this year are Ch Ramoji Rao of the Eenadu Group, who was chosen for the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award in the country, for his contribution to education, literature and journalism. The danseuse Yamini Krishnamurthy is the other winner of the award.

Chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana N Chandrababu Naidu and K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed happiness at the Ramoji Group chairman being chosen for the prestigious award. Naidu said Ramoji Rao had taken print and television journalism to great heights. He had launched ‘Eenadu’ in Visakhapatnam in 1974.

The 79-year-old Ramoji Rao, who was born in Pedaparupudi of Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, is also a film producer with 87 films to his credit, has a chit fund business and owns a group of hotels. His Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad is a filmmaking destination for producers even from Hollywood, apart from being a tourist attraction.

Among the Padma Bhushan winners are the popular sports stars Sania Mirza (tennis) and Saina Nehwal (badminton). With the Rio de Janeiro Olympics round the corner, the awards are expected to come as a great boost to both of them. Mirza had won the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award last year.

SS Rajamouli, who made waves with his blockbuster film ‘Bahubali’ has been awarded the Padma Shri. Rajamouli, officially listed as hailing from Karnataka by the government in its release announcing the awards, is currently shooting in Kerala for ‘Bahubali-2’.

His father, K Vijayendra Prasad, told TOI that he was happy that his son has been given the award. “First of all, it is God’s grace. And secondly, he is sincere, hardworking and humble. He deserves the award,” he said.

Two other well-known personalities from the city, social worker Sunita Krishnan won the Padma Shri while gastroenterologist Dr D Nageshwar Reddy has been awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Well-known artist K Laxma Goud, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Mannam Gopi Chand and cardiac surgeon Dr Alla Gopalakrishna Gokhale were also awarded the Padma Shri.

QUOTE
This award is not just mine, but belongs to all Telugu people who have been with me in this journey in journalism
Ramoji Rao
First of all, it is God’s grace. And secondly, he is sincere, hardworking and humble. He deserves the award
– K Vijayendra Prasad, father of director SS Rajamouli

|Telugu Winners
Padma Vibhushan
Yamini Krishnamurthy Art classical dance
Ch Ramoji Rao Literature, education & journalism

Padma Bhushan
Dr Alla Venkata ama Rao Science and engineering
Yarlagadda Laxmi Prasad Literature and education
Dr D nageshwar Reddy Medicine, gastroenterology
Saina Nehwal Sports – Badminton
Sania Mirza Sports Tennis Padma

Padma Shri
Dr Nayudamma Yarlagadda Medicine, pediatric surgery
Sunita Krishnan social work
Dr TV Narayana social work
SS Rajamouli Art Film direction & production (Officially listed as from Karnataka)

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> India / TNN / January 26th, 2016

The ancient ‘miracle well’ of Sadashivapet

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Travel

The Shivalingam at Raghunadhaswamy temple at Sadashivapet in Medak.-PHOTO: Mohd Arif
The Shivalingam at Raghunadhaswamy temple at Sadashivapet in Medak.-PHOTO: Mohd Arif

A bathing place which is called gundam in the local parlance is an architectural marvel. It is located at Ragunatha Swamy and Janakamma ashramam that was constructed about 400 years ago.

One can have darshan of the ‘samadhis’ of Raghunatha Swamy and Janakamma there in the ashram spread over five acres. From the top of the floor there is a tunnel and one has can come down straight without bending. Then crawl for a few feet where one can see ‘Shiva Lingam’ on Panavattam, a base to keep Shivalingam in traditional system. However, it seems that both are not of same period as the Panavattam seems to be removed and brought from some other place to keep Shivalingam.

On the right side, there is a gundam (bathing place- well) which stands as architectural marvel. It is a square structure having entry from the west side through steps. One can walk around the well on the platform and step down to the water available point very comfortably. There, adjacent to the platform are two separate enclaves to sit and offer prayers at four sides were carved.

It is stated that at the bottom of the gundam one huge Shivalingam is kept but it could be visible only if the water level is less in the gundam. Though it was informed that there is a tunnel way from the gundam to temple it is not in operation. “Our elders said that this was constructed about 400 years ago by a local person who experienced miracle impact of the water available here. Since then, this well is being treated as a place of miracles.

Raghunatha Swamy celebrations will be held in the month of December,” said Mr. Rangaiah, a resident of the mandal headquarters.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by R. Avadhani / Sadashivapet (Medak District) – January 25th, 2016

Now, Take a Tour of Hyderabad in Helicopter

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel, Uncategorized

Hyderabad :

Citizens of Greater Hyderabad as well as tourists visiting the heritage city would be able to enjoy a spectacular aerial view and watch the unique city scape, glare at the most lively city, as Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) in association with Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) has decided to launch ‘Helicopter Ride’ (Heli Tourism) soon.

There are many tourists spots around Hussainsagar, which look outstanding from an aerial view. The idea of helicopter ride is to provide an enthralling experience to the tourists and boost potential tourism in the city, HMDA Metropolitan Commissioner T Chiranjeevulu told Express.

HMDA will provide the required land at nearby People’s Plaza for setting up an helipad for chopper rides. There is also a proposal to establish ‘Go Karting facility’ opposite PV Ghat on Necklace Road.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / January 06th, 2016

Book on Telangana movement and State formation released

About Telangana, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao released a book titled “Telangana Udyamala Charitra – Rashtra Avirbhavam” (history of Telangana movements and State formation) written by V. Prakash, founder of Acharya Jayashankar Study Centre and political analyst.

Advisor to Government K.V. Ramanachary, Minister G. Jagadish Reddy, State Planning Board Vice Chairman S. Niranjan Reddy, legislators K. Prabhakar Reddy and Palla Rajeshwar Reddy and family members of Mr. Prakash were present on the occasion. Complimenting Mr. Prakash for penning the book, the Chief Minister said it was a great attempt to compile the history of Telangana movement.

‘Comprehensive’

“Nobody in the past had penned the Telangana movement so comprehensively as Mr. Prakash did now.

He was a witness to many incidents during the movement and studied them thoroughly,” the Chief Minister said adding that it would be a must read book for the future generations. Stating that Mr. Prakash’s book would also be useful as reference material to many competitive examinations to be held by the Telangana State Public Service Commission in the future, Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao felt that it should be in the libraries in the State as well as colleges and high school libraries.

“The book reflects several aspects related to the movement as it is,” the Chief Minister said and expressed his wish that the writer pen many more good books in future.

The Chief Minister felicitated Mr. Prakash and his wife Swarupa Rani on the occasion. The writer dedicated his book to Mr. Chandrasekhar and his wife Shobha.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – January 05th, 2016

Nostalgic Reunion for Kakatiya Alumni

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

An alumnus of Kakatiya Institute of Technology & Science Warangal speaking during the ‘Alumni Meet and Silver Jubilee Batch Reunion’ in Warangal on Saturday | EXPRESS PHOTO
An alumnus of Kakatiya Institute of Technology & Science Warangal speaking during the ‘Alumni Meet and Silver Jubilee Batch Reunion’ in Warangal on Saturday | EXPRESS PHOTO

Warangal :

Alumni association of Kakatiya Institute of Technology & Science, Warangal, organised an Alumni Meet and Silver Jubilee Batch (1986-90) Reunion’ here on Saturday on the varsity campus.

KITSWAA president J Bheem Rao inaugurated the programme. KITSW director Y Manohar launched the website http://alumni.kitsw.ac.in for connecting with alumni. Bheem Rao, who is the chief consultant at Cruithi Consultants, was the chief guest at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Bheem Rao said that around 35,000 KITSW students have settled as engineers and industrialists in India and abroad.

Ex-president of the Alumni Association Emmadi Raja Rathnam said that the alumni would meet every year on Sunday falling the nearest to Christmas.

“Around 10 per cent of the KITSW alumni have established and running their own industries successfully. We proudly say that the 25 to 30 per cent of the alumni have been working as CEOs, Vice presidents, managers etc,” he said.

KITSWAA founder president and industrialist A Dayananda Reddy reminisced his college days and said, “We have an emotional attachment with our teachers. Due to the foundation imparted by them we have achieved these positions. The young budding engineers are ready to take on the world.”

Along with the alumni, faculty in-charges, heads of the department, deans, faculty and students of the college also participated.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / December 27th, 2015

Amrita’s helpline reaches out to women travellers in distress

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Travel

Former flight attendant Amrita Ahluwalia says that her helpline in the Hyderabad airport will link women travellers in distress with support facilities. Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
Former flight attendant Amrita Ahluwalia says that her helpline in the Hyderabad airport will link women travellers in distress with support facilities. Photo: Nagara Gopal
/ The Hindu

The former flight attendant is also writing a book on her role in the rescue of a child bride who was being flown out of India

Cancer has failed to break her spirit and, as indefatigable as ever, Amrita Ahluwalia is back.

The former flight attendant was in the news after her timely alert that led to the rescue of an 11-year-old Hyderabadi girl married to a 60-year-old Arabian and travelling on an Indian Airlines plane that Ms. Ahluwalia was working in.

Ms. Ahluwalia is now starting a helpline for women in distress at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here. “I am launching a round-the-clock Amrita’s helpline at the airport for women air travellers in distress. After fighting and surviving cancer, it is a new life for me and I will work on this till my last breath to help and support women and children of Hyderabad, the city which I have adopted,” she says.

Ms. Ahluwalia earned recognition for her sensitivity to a girl in distress and her courage in tackling the issue, when she helped a passenger on August 10, 1991. She had noticed a sobbing Ameena on the Hyderabad –– Delhi flight and took the child under her wings. She filed a complaint with the police in Delhi, raising a nationwide outcry against the practice of forcible marriage of young girls to Arab nationals.

“I felt ashamed to be the one to tell the world that look, we sell our children in the name of marriage,” says Ms. Ahluwalia. She is recuperating from a surgery followed by six sessions of chemotherapy and 32 sessions of radiation therapy to tackle cancer that was diagnosed last year. She said that such practices continue, despite all the attention that the 1991 episode created. The helpline, which is to be launched with the assistance of the Hyderabad police, will provide a support system to women air travellers in distress. Transit and short stay facilities, counselling, linkage with welfare departments and identification of family and friends for care and protection will be offered.

Apart from medical care and assistance, legal support will be provided if required. “It could be poor maids returning home from abusive or exploitative employers or those cheated by agents with their passport or documents taken away,” she explains.

Ms. Ahluwalia’s life comprising long hours on flights and trials and tribulations on personal and professional fronts and the crusade on behalf of Ameena, all are getting into the pages of a book, Ek Thi Amrita.

“I am halfway through writing the book. Comedies and tragedies and all aspects of my life are part of it,” she says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News / by T. Lalit Singh / Hyderabad – December 23rd, 2015

Tribal youth turn creative

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Education, Inspiration / Positive News and Features

Tribal women learning the concepts of fashion designing at the ITDA, Bhadrachalam, in Khammam district.– PHOTO: G.N. RAO
Tribal women learning the concepts of fashion designing at the ITDA, Bhadrachalam, in Khammam district.– PHOTO: G.N. RAO

In pursuit of exploring their inherent creative skills and gain self-employment, a group of 35 young men and women of tribal communities from far-flung agency areas have successfully completed a three-month residential training programme in fashion designing, which concluded in Bhadrachalam on Monday.

Thanks to the initiative of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Bhadrachalam, several tribal women and men with penchant for art and fabric design have undergone professional training under the aegis of two instructors from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad.

They had gained hands-on experience in designing garments in impressive patterns to suit every occasion, various body types and contemporary tastes during the free residential training programme at the ITDA’s Youth Training Centre (YTC) in Bhadrachalam.

“The three-month training programme helped me acquaint myself with the vibrant potential of fashion designing and gain the requisite skills in designing trendy garments,” said Kursam Narsimha Rao, a tribal youth from Ramaraopeta of Dummugudem mandal.

“I did TTC in drawing and started an art studio in the temple town a few years ago,” he said, insisting that he was keen to diversify his creative enterprise by harnessing his newly acquired skills.

It is proposed to set up a ready-made garment unit under the aegis of the ITDA in Bhadrachalam for absorbing the trained tribal women and men with the requisite skills and aptitude into the unit, said V. Prasad, principal, YTC, ITDA, Bhadrachalam.

The ITDA project officer K. Kalicharan presented certificates in fashion designing to all the 35 tribal women and men, those who had successfully completed the certificate course, at a ceremony held in Bhadrachalam on Monday evening.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by P. Sridhar / Khammam – December 08th, 2015