Daily Archives: October 10, 2014

A taste of Telangana culture

Folk artistes performing at the 'Alai Balai' festival in Hyderabad on Sunday. Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu
Folk artistes performing at the ‘Alai Balai’ festival in Hyderabad on Sunday. Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu

Organised at Necklace Road, the Alai-Balai cultural festival showcased the region’s varied culture

It provided a window to Telangana traditions. The sprawling Jal Vihar on Necklace Road presented the typical rural ambience of Telangana as the ‘Alai-Balai’ cultural fete was organised on Sunday. On display were both the culture and cuisine of Telangana.

The picturesque spot turned cultural arena from early morning as artistes showcased a variety of tribal dances. Colourfully attired Banjara women cast a spell with their rhythmic movements. Yellow-turbaned youth belted out foot-tapping music, sweat rolling down their bodies as they played the drums. Yonder a group presented the tribal dance, sporting the head gear of wild buffalo horns.

Bare-bodied men had everyone awe-struck as they flagellated themselves with whips, even as a Muslim boy atop a camel kept waiving a green flag. Secunderabad MP Bandaru Dattatreya, the man behind the festival, also joined the dancers and tried to match their steps. Golatalu, sannai vaidam, gondola nrityam, dhimsa were some of the typical Telangana dances which regaled everyone.

The Telangana cuisine was a lip-smacking affair: there were 40 odd varieties of dishes. Nearly 100 cooks were busy preparing Telangana dishes right from Saturday evening. About 50 huge containers and as many bowls were used to cook the fare. All those who turned up were first treated to ragi ambali served in earthen pots.

The non-vegetarian items included thala kura, natu kodi, veda mamsam, mokka jonna garalu, chapala pulusu, egg pulusu, jawar roti, sarva pindi. This apart there was the usual, sambar, white rice, dal and bagara khana.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – October 06th, 2014

Rich tribute paid to Komaram Bheem

Legendary Gond rebel Komaram Bheem
Legendary Gond rebel Komaram Bheem

Warangal :

The 74th death anniversary of legendary Gond rebel Komaram Bheem was observed at Congress Bhavan at Hanamkonda on Wednesday.Speaking on the occasionm, Congress district president Naini Rajender Reddy recalled the greatness of tribal leader born in Jodeghat.

He fought against the Nizams for Jal-Jungle-Jameen (water-forest-land) and died on this day fighting for protection of tribal rights.” Ex-minister Basawaraj Saraiah recalled that the state government organised a programme in memory of Bheem last year too. He also said Bheem’s biography should be included in school curriculum.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC Correspondent / October 09th, 2014

CCMB director selected for Ramineni Foundation, USA award

Hyderabad :

Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) director Dr ChMohanRao, has been selected for the award of VisishtaPuraskarm by Ramineni Foundation, USA on the occasion of its 15th Anniversary Puraskaarams-2014.

He was chosen for his outstanding contributions in science and technology, particularly in the areas of protein folding in health and disease and molecular basis for lens transparency and cataract.

He played a key role in developing a diagnostic tool to identify a number of eye infections under the CSIR’s programme on New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) and looking into a cost-effective treatment for cancer using photodynamic therapy.

He has combined biophysical, molecular biological and cell biological approaches to address problems of biomedical importance. He has published more than 100 research papers and several science articles in many national and international journals and is a Fellow of several national and international academies.

Dr Mohan Rao’s multidisciplinary expertise including electronics, fabrication and digital interfacing along with cellular, molecular and biophysical approaches enabled him to provide vision and leadership in several contexts. In addition to his outstanding research activity, he has been playing a significant role in popularizing science among the school children, science teachers and uninitiated public in general.

Ramineni Foundation was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA with a noble mission of recognising and felicitating the spirited, relentless efforts and immeasurable services of all those veterans drawn from a broad spectrum of fields in Arts, Science and Humanities. The award of Vishishta Puraskaaram carries rs one lakh cash, a plaque and a memento by Ramineni Foundation. He will receive the award on October 12 at a function to be organised by the Foundation in Vijayawada.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Ch. Sushil Rao, TNN / October 10th, 2014