Jhatkas, matkas and drama peppered the anniversary celebration of one of the oldest clubs in the city.

Attended by members, who left no stone unturned to ensure that they looked the best, the do had them perform a few acts, walk the ramp with elan and even show off their moves.

From Shah Rukh Khan’s signature romantic pose to shimmying and shaking, performers had the crowd cheering and rooting for them.

Actor Shruthi Keerthi was spotted at the do having a great time.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / March 08th, 2015

An estimated 60 quintals to be prepared in the next couple of days

The stage is set for preparation of mutyala talambralu (mixture of sacred rice with pearls) for the celestial wedding of Lord Rama and Sita Devi to be held on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami in Bhadrachalam on March 28.

According to temple sources, vasanthotsavam , dolotsvam and other special rituals will be organised on the eve of Holi on the premises of the temple complex on Thursday.

The crucial process of preparation of mutyala talambralu will begin on the same day coinciding with vasantotsavam festivities at the shrine.

An estimated 60 quintals of mutyala talambralu will be prepared under the direct supervision of Vedic pundits in the next couple of days, sources said.

The temple authorities are contemplating to make available around 4 lakh packets of mutyala talambralu for sale among devotees after Sitarama Kalyana Mahotsavam on March 28. A plan is on the anvil to sell the packets to the devotees through registered post, sources added.

Arrangements are also being made for preparation of over 3 lakh laddus for the ensuing Srirama Navami festivities.

Meanwhile, initiatory rituals such as ankurarpanam were performed at the temple complex on Wednesday evening.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by Staff Reporter / Khammam – March 05th, 2015

Hyderabad :

Imagine poetry being ‘sold’ off the streets. Yes, you heard that right! With a noble mission to revive Telugu poetry in the two states, 50-year-old Sheik Sadiq Ali is seen pushing around his cart which doesn’t sell vegetables, but poetry!

“The declining state of Telugu poetry has always bothered me. So I decided to take it to the masses and what better way to do it than a pushcart,” Sadiq explains. While most people lecture on the need for reviving the Telugu poetry from air-conditioned auditoriums, he decided to do stay connected with lovers of literature. Though he doesn’t have shortage of resources to hold book exhibitions

, the 50-year-old decided to use a push-cart for his mission. To buttress his argument for adopting this unconventional method to promote Telugu poetry, he says: “Pusharts are something that people feel comfortable with. They have been a part of our culture for ages. It will be inappropriate for a non-traditional object to promote traditional poetry”.

Sadiq now takes his pushcart around town, one area at a time, holding forth on poetry and inviting people to read books. With over 135 titles on his pushcart, Sadiq literally carries a mobile bookstore to your doorstep. “What surprises me is the kind of response I receive from people of all age groups. Those who are new to Telugu poetry spend some time reading a book and end up buying it. These are small steps towards the bigger mission,” says an earnest Sadiq.

A native of Kalluru in Khammam distruct and a postgraduate in Telugu literature from Osmania University, Sadiq has books by various Telugu poets on his cart. The cart – ‘Thopudu Bandi’ – adorns pictures of famous Telugu poets like Sri Sri, Arudra and Maqdoom Mohinuddin. “People on Facebook started seeing what I am doing and sent in their books. So if someone buys the book, the poet gets the money, which in a way encouraging poetry,” he elaborates.

Sadiq, who was a journalist with a Telugu daily, Udayam, which was shut down long ago – embarked on his his ‘literary’ journey on February 22 when he travelled from Ramnagar to People’s Plaza in the city. Ever since, he has been travelling to one part of the city everyday promoting Telugu literature in his own unique way. And he does not intend to stop until he covers all the districts in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. “There is a lot to be done and there is not much time. All I want is to bring back the golden era of Telugu poetry,” he says with an air of determination. His initiative has reached many through social networking sites and people like Chukka Ramaiah, a well-known educationist, have heaped praise on him for this unique initiative.

But Sadiq, who left his marriage bureau business, isn’t pushing around the 200-kilo cart full of poetry for fame or money. “I have enough to make ends meet. What I am doing isn’t for a living. It is out of passion. It is for the love of Telugu poetry,” he says with a broad smile and a sense of pride.

A fifty-year-old man pushes his cart on the roads of Hyderabad. He isn’t selling vegetables or trying to earn a living with the cart, but he is a man on a mission to revive Telugu poetry in the two Telugu speaking states.

Meet Sheik Sadiq Ali, who gave up his business to revive the art of Telugu poetry in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

While most people talk about reviving Telugu poetry from air-conditioned auditoriums with an ‘intellectual’ audience, Sadiq decided to do exactly the opposite. “The declining state of Telugu poetry has always bothered me. So I decided to take it to the masses and what better way to do it than a pushcart,” he explains.

Despite the availability of funds, the 50-year-old decided to use a cart over an exhibition or a display truck. And the reason: “Carts are something that people feel comfortable with. Carts have been a part of our culture for ages. It will be incorrect to a non-traditional object to promote traditional poetry,” elaborates Sadiq.s

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Bhavneet Singh, TNN / March 03rd, 2015

Hyderabad :

It was an evening dedicated to India’s 29th state — Telangana. Generously peppered with dhol beats, vibrant dance performances, soulful musical renditions, an expansive exhibition of handicrafts and a delectable spread, Wednesday’s ‘Telangana Festival’ organised by The Park, Hyderabad, in association with the department of culture and language, the department of tourism, The Times of India and Telangana stores, upheld every distinctive characteristic of the state, which many old-timers rue, had lost its individuality during the days of united Andhra Pradesh.

“The battle that we fought so far has been of a different kind. Now, we need to fight to reinstate our identity through culture and food,” said state minister of IT & Panchayat Raj, K T Rama Rao, after inaugurating the programme that saw a host of artistes from across the state come together to give the gathering a sneak-peak into the unique performing arts forms of Telangana. Also present at the event was former IAS officer B V Pappa Rao, now serving as advisor to the Telangana government.

While a group from Nizamabad narrated historical tales through Chindu Yakshnagam (a traditional dance form), another from Nalgonda gave the audience a taste of Dappu Dance, traditionally performed by the Harijan community and best known for its vivacious rhythm. Adding to the exuberance were troupes from Warangal and Khammam who performed Oggudollu (a folk dance form accompanied by dhol) and Kommu Koya (unique to the Koya tribe) respectively. There was also a Qawwali show that left the audience enthralled

Giving a rustic yet exquisite touch to the inaugural festival were art works on display that comprised zardosi handicrafts, lac bangles, Pochampally fabric, among others.

“To ensure that Telangana art and culture is understood and appreciated by one and all and this concept of cultural amalgamation is exhibited at the national and international level, the state government, in the days to come, will do more and ensure that the work started by these artistes gains larger visibility,” Rama Rao said, adding, “The IT department is already working on promoting various art forms – like Nirmal, Bidri, silver filigree, Ikaat – through online market places.”

Apart from arts and crafts, the festival, which will continue till March 1, also comprised a food festival that promoted various delicacies of the new state such as Ooru Kodi Seekulu, Kalchina Mamsam, Jonna Rottelu, Sarva Pindi, along with other dishes. Over the next few days, the food fair will travel across all 10 districts of Telangana to bring to the city the many flavours of the state.

“I am glad that the festival has incorporated the food component. It will help this generation know about the traditional food habits of the people of Telangana,” said state tourism minister Azmeera Chandulal.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / February 19th, 2015