Daily Archives: February 28, 2015

Lions Clubs to Reach Out to Rural People in Telangana

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

The state government wants Lions Club International Foundation and Lions Clubs in Telangana to play a bigger role in reaching out to the rural areas.

Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has suggested to them to help the tribal people in Adilabad district who suffer from malnutrition. “Lions Clubs can do service to these tribals which will be a great help to them,’’ Rao said adding that they (tribals) had superstition and did not take medicine and the Lions Club can motivate them to take medicines.

Rao was interacting with Lions Clubs International Foundation Chairperson Barry J Palmer who along with Lions Clubs past and present presidents of Secunderabad and Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana met him on Thursday and briefed him about their activities all over the country.

Palmer told Rao that the Lions Club would like to have a relationship with Telangana government and would like to take up projects in rural Telangana. Palmer enquired about the priority areas of the state government in the fields of education, sanitation and others. He said that Lions Club is the world’s best NGO.

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

Telangana culture gets its newest address at Telangana Festival

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

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

Woodcut from close quarters

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

A mix of young and senior artists from Baroda and Hyderabad share their experiences at a one-of-its kind woodcut camp at DHI Art Space

OF WOOD AND COLOURS Professor Vijay Bagodi Photo: K. Ramesh Babu / The Hindu
OF WOOD AND COLOURS Professor Vijay Bagodi Photo: K. Ramesh Babu / The Hindu

As one walks pasts the flowy curtains, a woodcut zone awaits art lovers at DHI Art Space at Dharam Karan Road in Ameerpet. A group of young artists, Gayathri, Jagadeesh and Kiran are casually chatting away. In front of them are a bottle of linseed oil, wooden blocks and colours against a background that blares the number Apologise. One can spot Vijay Bagodi, professor of MS University, Baroda sitting with a wooden block and Hyderabad artists Srikanth Kuruva and Sajid Bin Amar sharing nuances of woodcut techniques. While T. Sudhakar Reddy, (retd) professor of AU University watches the proceedings, artist Rajeshwar Rao is busy poring over on an image on the block at his worktable. But the real sight is to see veteran artist Thota Vaikuntam turn a student to learn the basics of woodcut painting!

OF WOOD AND COLOURS Artist Thota Vaikuntham Photo: K. Ramesh Babu / The Hindu
OF WOOD AND COLOURS Artist Thota Vaikuntham Photo: K. Ramesh Babu / The Hindu

It is a one-of-its kind week-long woodcut camp at DHI Art Space with a mix of young and senior artists from Baroda and Hyderabad. It is a delectable hub of all things arty and wooden at the camp with the gallery exhibiting artists’ previous works. Besides interactions and observing each other’s style of working, the artists, who are staying on the first floor of the building, also participate in talks and sessions over cups of black coffee and chai. “The unlimited scope of woodcut is at the core of the camp,” informs Bhargavi. “The work is too intricate and the whole process is quite laborious. Most of them do not know about it and artists who know do not practice it. We wanted to bring woodcut and non-woodcut painters under one roof and create a platform for interaction. There are veterans, middle aged and younger artists who share and exchange their ideas and experiences.”

While in Hyderabad Vijay Bagodi was at JNTU, attending a lecture by Tushar Gandhi. The professor says by the end of the session, he knew the theme for his woodcut painting as he shows us a block with Mahatma Gandhi’s image. “Being a small city, Baroda is a great place for artists. One can just call Mani sir (K.G. Subramanyan) or Jairam Patel and they will meet you. The place is buzzing with art,” he smiles as he talks about Baroda.

OF WOOD AND COLOURS Artists Pratap Modi and Rajeshwar Rao Photo: K. Ramesh Babu / The Hindu
OF WOOD AND COLOURS Artists Pratap Modi and Rajeshwar Rao Photo: K. Ramesh Babu / The Hindu

There is a sense of palpable excitement as artist Rajeshwar Rao walks around with wooden blocks. “It is a new thing and I am learning how it works,” says Vaikuntam with a smile. “Wood is a totally different media and the colours are different. It is good for artists like me as it is a break from the usual and getting to know about textures. I have seen my friends and great masters at work. I have realised it is a very challenging process,” he adds.

OF WOOD AND COLOURS Artist Karuna Photo: K. Ramesh Babu / The Hindu
OF WOOD AND COLOURS Artist Karuna Photo: K. Ramesh Babu / The Hindu

As the artists are busy on their worktables, one cannot miss a two-and-half-year old girl running around. Artist Karuna has brought along her little daughter as she participates in the camp. “Wood cut painting is like doing meditation — one goes into a different world of wood and colours. I work on the natural wood and this is compressed wood,” she says while displaying a block. With a laugh she looks at her daughter and adds, “She piles up the dust and makes a rangoli of the chipped out parts.” The camp is also a different experience for artists like Prathap Modi who is used to working on large scale projects. “It is a challenge to work on small wooden blocks and also I like to work alone. This is a new experience as I am trying to mingle with other people,” he says.

Art lovers and budding artists can drop in before February 27 at the Art Space to discover the world of woodcut.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Neerja Murthy / Hyderabad – February 25th, 2015