Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Turner’s Choultry: A colonial rest house

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

Visakhapatnam :

Built in the year 1893, the Turner’s Choultry is a stone masonary building 90 feet long and 60 feet wide. It was originally a Chattram or a Traveller’s House built to provide temporary shelter to traders, pilgrims and other travellers visiting the city.

The building is an ashlar fine structure that was built at a cost of Rs 43,000, of which Rs 10,000 was paid by the Maharajah of Vizianagaram, Anand Gajapathi Raju, an equal sum was provided by the Gode family and the remaining was raised from the public.

The site on which the Choultry stands was originally the Enugu Thota (Elephant Lines) of the 104 Regiment and even today the stones to which the elephants were tied can be seen. Close to the Choultry is a huge water tank, next to the Police Barracks, where the elephants bathed.

Built in the name of former district collector, Henry Gribble Turner, the Choultry remained the property of the Visakhapatnam municipality till 1975, after which it passed into the hands of the endowments department.

The building boasts of 24 rooms and a living space, distributed over three courtyards. According to history buff BS Mahesh, the plan of the building is that of a traditional south Indian house with rooms and verandas all around a central courtyard.

“The beauty of the building lies in the simplicity of its plan and the manner in which space is used. The facade is of course beautiful with an arched doorway leading into the central courtyard and the stone pillars give it that imposing look,” said Mahesh. He further added that the tiles used for the roof were pot tiles, which were later replaced by Mangalore tiles.

Civil engineer Narayana Murthy said the structure was built on a raised plinth of more than four feet, which added to the majestic look. “The main structure is over 90 feet in length and 50 feet in breadth and is perfectly rectangular in shape. This apart there are bathrooms that extend the area of the structure. The dressed stone used to build the walls are all cut to the same shape and size and the mortar used to bind the stones is exactly the same in each and every bind. The construction is extremely precise and requires expert stone masonry skills. The thick stone walls built on the raised platform provide balance and strength to the building,” Murthy said.

Even today, the Turner’s Choultry is abuzz with activity and usually hosts weddings, functions, book shows, exhibitions and religious festivals. The endowments department charges a nominal rent of Rs 300 for a small scale wedding at the venue.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / August 06th, 2015

Telugu Playback Singer V Ramakrishna Dies at 68

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Veteran Telugu playback singer V Ramakrishna.
Veteran Telugu playback singer V Ramakrishna.

Hyderabad :

Veteran Telugu playback singer V Ramakrishna, who was reportedly undergoing treatment for cancer for quite some time, breathed his last on Wednesday at his residence in Hyderabad. He was 68.

“He passed away late last night at his Venkatagiri Hills residence,” a family source told IANS.

Born in 1947, Mr Ramakrishna, who has nearly 5,000 songs to his credit, started his career as a singer at a very young age on popular show Yuva Vani on All India Radio.

Nephew of popular playback singer P Susheela, Mr Ramakrishna idolised legendary singer Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao.

In 1972, he made his singing debut with the Telugu song “Vayase Oka Poolathota” from “Vichitra Bandham”.

He went on to sing several chartbusters in films such as “Andala Ramudu”, “Sharada”, “Alluri Seetharama Raju”, “Muthyala Muggu” and “Amaradeepam”.

Mr Ramakrishna is survived his wife Jyothi, son Sai Kiran, a popular Telugu actor and daughter Lekha.

His last rites will be performed today.

source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV / Home> Telangana> Section / by Indo-Asian News Services / July 16th, 2015

Antony Prince Panengadan, new Adilabad Bishop

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

Antony Prince Panengadan
Antony Prince Panengadan

Hyderabad:

Father Antony Prince Panengadan was appointed the bishop of the Adilabad Diocese and consecrated at the Bishop House on Thursday.

The appointment was announced by Pope Francis on August 6 at the Vatican and simultaneously by the Major Archbishop George Cardinal Alencherry at the Major Archiepiscopal Curia, Mount St. Thomas, at the Bishop’s House, Adilabad.

Bishop Joseph Kunnath presented the newly appointed Bishop with the sash, Pectoral Cross and the ring.

Bishop Panengadan was born on May, 13, 1976, at St. Antony’s Parish, Arimpoor in the Archeparchy of Trichur-Kerala. Having done his initial seminary formation in the CMI Congregation, he joined the mission eparchy of Adilabad. He had his philosophical and theological formation at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore and Ruhalaya Seminary, Ujjain.

He was ordained as a priest on April, 25, 2007, having served at the Adilabad Cathedral Church as assistant parish priest and at Saligaon Parish as its priest. He holds a doctorate in Biblical Theology from the Urbanian University, Rome.

At the time of his appointment, he was serving the eparchy as its Proto-Syncellus and the Cathedral Vicar. Adilabad is one of the 13 Telugu Catholic dioceses and belongs to the Syro Malabar Church. The diocese is active in the areas of education, social, medical, services like hospitals, dispensaries, Balavikasa and tribal hostels.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / Deccan Chronicle – August 07th, 2015

Gussadi dance gets Baahubali boost

Arts, Culture & Entertainment


A file photograph of Adivasis performing Gussadi dance.
A file photograph of Adivasis performing Gussadi dance.

Adilabad:

The well-known dance Gussadi of the Adivasis has got recognition in the blockbuster movie Baahubali directed by S.S. Rajamouli. The Gussadi dance has been filmed for the first time. Adivasis perform the Gussadi dance wearing hats made of peacock feathers during Diwali and it is synonymous with the culture of Adivasis.

Adivasis are thrilled at the prominence given to the dance in the film. The Gussadi dance was depicted as one of the few dances being performed in a cultural programme on the sidelines while installing the gigantic statue of Ballala Deva, ruler of the Mahishmati kingdom in the movie.

The Gussadi dance was shown along with another Adivasi popular dance called Bison Dance wearing the headgear of bison horns. However, it is said that the Gussadi dance was irrelevant to the situation and not connected to the story. Adivasis considered the Gussadi dance as sacred as it connected to the Diwali festival.

Adivasis men, especially youth and middle-aged men are called Gussadis and wear typical attire carrying a jhola and rokala, with various bright colours smeared on the body and a hat made of peacock feathers.

A senior Adivasi leader who was also a cinema artist and folk singer of Gondi, observed that it looks unpleasant seeing the Gussadi dance as the situation did not demand it. It would have been appropriate if it was shown as being performed on Diwali day highlighting its sanctity.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / Deccan Chronicle, by Pillalamarri Srinivas / August 02nd, 2015

Karimnagar: Guru Purnima celebrated

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Girls offer abhisekam with milk to Saibaba at Tapovanam temple on the occasion of Guru Purnima in Anantapur on Friday. (Photo: DC)
Girls offer abhisekam with milk to Saibaba at Tapovanam temple on the occasion of Guru Purnima in Anantapur on Friday. (Photo: DC)

Karimnagar/Warangal:

Guru Purnima was celebrated with religious fervor across the district on Friday. People, in a large numbers, thronged temples of Sri Sai Baba to mark the occasion. Special prayers were held in the temples. Guru Purnima is a sacred day to commemorate ancient sages and spiritual teachers of Hindu religion such as Vyas who edited four scriptures and authored 18 epics, Maha Bharath and Srimadbhagavatham. Feeding poor programmes were also organised on this auspicious occasion.

People from all walks of life made beeline to nearby temples of Sri Sai Baba from early morning and performed prayers.Thousands of devotees visited Sai Baba temple in Sainagar of the city. Special programmes were held on the premises of government and private educational institutions as part of the celebrations. Students greeted their teachers and sought blessings.

Similar celebrations were conducted across the district. Devotees flocked the Sai Baba temple in Hanamkonda in large numbers. Temple authorities performed special prayers and conducted annadanam to over 5,000 people. Temple trusty Srinivas said the special prayers began with harathi early in the morning and then mangala snanam was conducted. Devotees formed beelines for darshan of Sai Baba.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / Deccan Chronicle / August 01st, 2015

Festive Air as Women Throng Secunderabad Bonalu Fest

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Hyderabad :

An air of festivity swept through the streets of Secunderabad as thousands of devotees thronged the streets to celebrate Bonalu at the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali temple. Devotees prayed and offered bonams at other Mahankali temples in the city on the occasion of Secunderabad Mahankali Bonalu Jatara, popularly known as Lashkar Bonalu.

The ‘Rangam’ (forecasting the future) will be made by a young unmarried woman at 8.30 a.m. on Monday.

The colourful Bonalu festival started from early hours of Sunday with a large number of devotees, especially women and young girls gaily dressed in traditional attire carrying ‘Bonam’ (pot containing rice, turmeric powder, jaggery and curd covered with neem leaves with a lamp placed on it) on their heads to offer Goddess Mahankali. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao along with his family members offered ‘pattu vastralu’ (silk clothes) and other items to Goddess Mahankali. Ministers T Srinivas Yadav, T Padma Rao, Nayini Narasimha Reddy, A Indrakaran Reddy, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, senior Government officials and others also offered prayers at the temple.

It is expected that over five lakh devotees would participate in Bonalu till Monday evening.

TRS MP Kavitha carrying a ‘Bonalu’ to Ujjaini Mahakali Temple on the occasion of Bonalu festival in Secunderabad on Sunday | A Radhakrishna
TRS MP Kavitha carrying a ‘Bonalu’ to Ujjaini Mahakali Temple on the occasion of Bonalu festival in Secunderabad on Sunday | A Radhakrishna

Central Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Bandaru Dattatreya also visited the temple and performed puja, while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu offered prayers at Ujjaini Mahankali Temple on Saturday.
The lanes of Secunderabad were filled with procession of devotees carrying ghatams. Whip weilding ‘potharajus’ with ‘ghatams’ followed by ‘teen maar’ drumbeat reverberated in the lanes and bylanes of Secunderabad.

The Mahankali Temple was beautifully decked up for the festival with illumination, flower arrangements, buntings and festoons.

Apart from devotees of Secunderabad and Hyderabad, devotees from surrounding districts including Rangareddy, Medak and Nalgonda too thronged the temple and offered prayers. Separate queues were made for the convenience of devotees carrying bonalu, and handicapped and aged persons. The devotees also visited Mahankali temples located in Pan Bazar, Regimental Bazar, Ramgopalpet, Mettuguda, Bhoiguda, RP Road, Marredpally, Paradise, Ranigunj, YMCA, SD Road, Seethaphalmandi, Chilkaguda and other temples.

Several devotees offered a ‘thottela’ (a small colourful, paper structure supported by sticks). Police made elaborate security arrangements for smooth conduct of the festival.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / August 03rd, 2015

Dasarathi Award Presented to Srinivasacharya

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Hyderabad :

On the occasion of the 91st birth anniversary of Telangana’s iconic poet and writer, Dasarathi Krishnamacharya, the Telangana government on Wednesday presented the first Dasarathi memorial award to noted poet Dr. Tirumala Srinivasacharya.

Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao presented the award to Srinivasacharya, who incidentally was the teacher of KCR in his school days. He is well known for his work in modern Telugu literature, including his writing on Dasarathi and his poetry.

CM, who himself is an admirer of Dasarathi’s literary work from his college days, announced this award last year to honour his contribution to Telangana’s literature and his fight against Nizam rulers. On many occasions in the past, KCR recalled how Dasarathi’s literary work inspired him to fight for separate state of Telangana. Presenting the award on Wednesday, he said, “Dasarathi is the pride of Telangana. Words are not enough to describe his bravery and his contribution to literature.”

The state government officially celebrated the birth anniversary of Dasarathi and instituted a memorial award in his name. This award will be given to prominent literary personalities in the state every year for their contribution to Telangana’s literature. The winner of the award will be given a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh as well.

The department of culture, which organised the event, has invited C Narayana Reddy, noted writer and Jnanapith award winner as the special guest for the award ceremony

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / July 23rd, 2015

Bikers on a date with their machines

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports, Travel

Citizens who own Jawa and Yezdi bikes taking out a rally marking the 13th International Jawa-Yezdi Day in Hyderabad on Sunday.– Photo: G. Ramakrishna
Citizens who own Jawa and Yezdi bikes taking out a rally marking the 13th International Jawa-Yezdi Day in Hyderabad on Sunday.– Photo: G. Ramakrishna

Many from Hyderabad celebrate 13th International Jawa-Yezdi Day bydisplaying their proud possessions at Deccan Club

Sunday was a celebration day for city’s bike aficionados. For, man and his ‘Forever Bike’ had a date.

The 13th International Jawa-Yezdi Day and the second such event organised in Hyderabad saw bikers across the city profess their love for machines, around 75 of which were proudly displayed at the Deccan Club.

The event organised by the Jawa and Yezdi Club of Hyderabad saw owners wax eloquence on their machines, while mechanics who to this day fix Yezdi and Jawa models introduced in the 1960s swore by them.

“These are bikes true to their tagline of ‘Forever Bike, Forever Value’. No matter how many times they are opened up and fixed, they last. They are highly durable machines,” said Mohammed Abdul Lateef, who has been fixing Jawa and Yezdi bikes at his workshop in Red Hills for more than three decades.

His Yezdi 350 Twin was a head-turner at the gathering. Yezdi Monarch and 1961 Jawa were other notable bikes at the event.

The club is planning to tap into the cult following the bikes have, to get more owners and even women to ride them. Amit Arni, one of the members, said that the club will try and convince owners to get their old machines running.

“Many people are known to own a Yezdi or Jawa. While for some it was passed down as heirloom, others still have their purchases. We would like to see more of these bikes on the road. We have been helping owners who seek to revive their bikes by supporting them to procure parts, sometimes even from other States,” he said.

Later on Sunday, over 60 riders took their bikes on a spin to Raj Bhavan and back to Deccan Club.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter /Hyderabad – July 13th, 2015

Lessons in a Container

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Education

Stack them, put them alongside or line them up in a row – Safeducate’s mobile school concept uses re-cycled freight containers to erect schools overnight in the rural belts of the country. Divya Jain, CEO of Safeducate (the education and learning arm of logistics firm Safexpress), says, “It’s like Lego blocks. You can add space or remove, depending on the need of the area.” Showing us pictures of the said containers, she tells us that a school could vary from a single classroom to six containers. To begin with, their first container school set up on their own piece of land, commissioned two weeks ago in Ambala, will have 189 logistics students, who are all over 18 years old.

In the box

“Learning logistics is difficult in a closed environment. But with these movable classrooms we can take the students as close to their working environment as possible,” says Jain, adding that this idea came to them two and a half years ago. “Since then, we’ve done extensive research on cooling methods, insulations and checked the containers for life, rusting, etc. They have been checked though seasons to see how they withstand the elements,” Jain adds about the background work that has gone into ensuring that these ISI certified containers are safe for their students. “This is just our first draft and we are looking at making them even more self-reliant with solar panels,” she says, pointing out that this will especially be handy when setting up in rural places that have minimal access to electricity. Other points that work in favour of these 40-foot containers is that they can be turned into classrooms, labs, libraries or even toilets or bedrooms and require an investment of as low as `8 lakhs.

While these container schools will initially be set up in around 20 places like Bihar, Agra, Hyderabad and Chennai (in two months, we’re told), Jain is confident that it is the answer to setting up schools in rural areas. Given that they are already converted into offices and hotels outside the country, it might not be long before we come up with many more uses for them. “We see these being used as schools for children and even as hospitals – especially on highways, where emergency services are poor,” Jain concludes.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features / July 09th, 2015

A 7-decade tryst with the canvas

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

A view of JNAFAU cillege of fine arts at Masabtank which is celebrating 75 years . Photo: G. Ramakrishna
A view of JNAFAU cillege of fine arts at Masabtank which is celebrating 75 years . Photo: G. Ramakrishna

To mark the 75 years of JNAFAU, the department of painting is coming up with an all-women show of its former students titled ‘Viewpoint’

Hyderabad :

Come next week, the painting department of the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) College of Fine Arts in Masab Tank will step into realms of history for celebrating womanhood with an art show by its former women students covering seven decades. The occasion is 75 years celebration of the college and the department headed by Priti Samyukta deemed to bring together all the works of women artists starting from 1942. The idea was conceived by Priti to let the young students understand and see the works of its alumni. But why only women artists? “This is a patriarchal society and women artists often go unnoticed. In fact, women artists have to put in extra effort to be noticed and recognised,” points out Priti and adds, “We are saluting all those women, those unsung heroes who strived hard to make a mark. And, the way the artists have evolved is tremendous with new mediums, thoughts and styles keeping up with the trends.”

Priti Samyukta, Head of the Department of painting at JNAFAU college of fine arts Photo: G. Ramakrishna
Priti Samyukta, Head of the Department of painting at JNAFAU college of fine arts Photo: G. Ramakrishna

The show titled ‘Viewpoint’ and to be held at Nehru Art Gallery inside the college premises features artworks by women who are practising artists, women who shifted gears, students-turned-teachers, recent pass outs and artists, who killed their interest in art due to different reasons. Priti, a former student from the college says she hit upon the idea in January. “As an in-charge, I wanted to take the department to another level. This is an indirect way of teaching the students. We initially thought of holding the show in March to coincide with Women’s Day but the work was exhaustive and required more co-ordination. Since the College completed 75 years, the display found an ideal reason,” she smiles.

The work involved constant co-ordination with women artists spread out across the country and even abroad. While thanking artists who parted with their works, Priti mentions about all her colleagues in the department who played a major role. “I am excited as this is my baby but everyone is taking care of it,” laughs Priti.

The title was chosen to give a different perspective to the exhibition. “The title is secular and women’s views are not always heard or part of any conversation,” she says.

Overall, 43 artists are participating starting from Freny Behmanshaw from the ’42 batch. “Freny mam was also the first woman teacher of the college and is currently in Bengaluru.

A painting by artist Kavita Deuskar
A painting by artist Kavita Deuskar

Kavita Deuskar and Anjani Reddy are also student-turned-teachers and even headed the department, whose works will be showcased. Lydia Victor, who lives in the US sent her work through a print,” explains Priti.

A painting by Anjani Reddy of the 1971 branch
A painting by Anjani Reddy of the 1971 branch

Pointing towards a canvas, Priti says, “This is Hoor Girglani, a ’75 batch student’s work done in egg tempera. Many artists do not work in this medium now.”

A painting by Hoor Girglani of the 1975 branch
A painting by Hoor Girglani of the 1975 branch

The fascinating feature of the exhibition is that students featured are from every decade since ’42. Besides Priti’s work, the display includes works of old students like Kusum Viswanath, Laxmi Reddy and Padma Reddy and the young clan is represented by Priyanka Aeley, Afza Tamkanath, Vineela, and Annapurna. “We have tried to represent as many students as we can,” says Priti.

Kavita Deuskar, a former head of the department remembers her student days. “We were taught a lot of techniques by our teachers. Freni mam’s (Freny Behmanshaw) uniqueness was her beautiful drawings and she would work in water colours. The depth in leaves, petals and flowers had a different feel,” she states.

On a parting note, Priti, who is curating the show says, “I feel privileged and honoured to be able to bring across the works of such wonderful artists on a single platform. The show to begin by next week will continue at Nehru Art Gallery, JNAFU, for 20 days.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Society / by Neeraja Murthy / July 09th, 2015