Telangana: Pride of place for Perini

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

The onus now is on the Telangana government to declare ‘Perini’ as the official state dance.

“Andhra has Kuchipudi, Tamil Nadu has Bharatanatyam, Kerala has Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, and states in North and North East too have their own styles, though they are all called Indian dances.

What do we Telanganites have, to represent our culture?” is the question that arose in cultural circles in Telangana.

Until the state was bifurcated, this region was part of Andhra Pradesh and was promoting all forms of art, even north and south.

Exponent of Kuchipudi and Perini Andhra Natyam Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna Photo: P. V. Sivakumar
Exponent of Kuchipudi and Perini Andhra Natyam Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna Photo: P. V. Sivakumar

Padmasree recipient Nataraja Ramakishna developed Tandava dance named ‘Perini’ that originated from the time of Kakatiya dynasty in the 11th century.

The Veera Saiva cult prevalent then and practiced by the rulers, saw the practitioners taking out processions in celebratory mood chanting the name of Lord Siva on festival days.

Young dancers perform Perini Shiva Thandavam dance Photo. Thakur Ajay Pal Singh
Young dancers perform Perini Shiva Thandavam dance Photo. Thakur Ajay Pal Singh

Perini was born out of it. Jayapasena (chief of elephant brigade of Kakatiya kings) conceptualised nritta based dance and called it ‘Perini’. The word Perini was born out of the word ‘Prerana’, according to Nataraja Ramakrishna who streamlined it some five years ago. Prerana here means ‘encouraging or motivating’the army that was set to go to war.

The focus now is on ‘Perini dance’ reconstructed by Nataraja Ramakrishna as part of his research oriented works for revival of the art.

Youngsters perform Perini Shiva Thandavam
Youngsters perform Perini Shiva Thandavam

It is now being felt that the state government should recognise Perini and Lasya styles as official dance of Telangana.

Now the job of projecting a comprehensive picture to Lasya penning compositions rests on Ramakrishna’s disciples like Kalakrishna, who had close proximity to the guru. The general order can start with Nrutta part like other nritta numbers, like Jatiswaram, replacing it with Perini jatis to give it an identity as wholesome number.

Other numbers related to nritya and abhinaya parts of the drama that follow should be specially written by some Telangana poets.

Youngsters perform Perini Shiva Thandavam
Youngsters perform Perini Shiva Thandavam

The lasya part of Perini can be traced to the characters like Parvathi, Lord Siva’s consort. Compositions on Vinayaka and Kartikeya both sons of Siva keep the dance connected to Saivam, if one wants to be so. ‘Daksha Yagnam’ is another Siva related number. That can be reshaped a bit to associate it with Kakatiya dynasty.

Even the yakashaganas being presented by Telangana troupes have rich sahitya that can provide scripts for solo numbers that can be conceived into classic presentation. The original texts of Yakshaganas should be tapped into for this purpose.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review> Dance / by Gudipudi Srihari / Hyderabad – June 16th, 2016

Nizamabad Deputy SP awarded Seva medal

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All
Proud moment:Deputy SP D. Anand Kumar receiving the Police Best Seva medal from DGP Anurag Sarma in Hyderabad.
Proud moment:Deputy SP D. Anand Kumar receiving the Police Best Seva medal from DGP Anurag Sarma in Hyderabad.

Director General of Police, Anurag Sarma presented the ‘Police Best Seva’ medal to Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nizamabad, D. Anand Kumar for his excellent services in the department, at the State police headquarters in Hyderabad on Friday.

The award was announced in connection with Telangana Formation Day. Having joined the department in 1991. Mr. Kumar worked in various capacities at different places. He won half a dozen gold medals for his performance during his police training.

The Deputy SP won laurels from top police officers and people for his flawless and prompt service to the needy.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Nizamabad – June 17th, 2016

Hyderabad girl to partner Sania at Rio Olympics

Sports
DREAM COME TRUE:Upcoming tennis star Prarthana Thombare at Sania Mirza.– FILE PHOTO.
DREAM COME TRUE:Upcoming tennis star Prarthana Thombare at Sania Mirza.– FILE PHOTO.

This is a major milestone in my career, says Prarthana

Emerging tennis star Prarthana Thombare will partner her idol Sania in the women’s doubles at the Rio Olympics this August. An achievement which was backed by her consistency in women’s doubles having won 10 ITF titles in the 15 finals she entered besides her recent maiden WTA doubles title.

“This (the Olympics selection) is a major milestone in my career. As a kid, I had always dreamt of representing India at the Olympics and to play Grand Slams,” Prarthana informed The Hindu from France where she is now playing a tournament. “And partnering my idol Sania herself, is a dream come true,” she commented.

The 22-year-old Prarthana joined the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy (SMTA) last year having moved over from Pune to pursue her tennis career. “I must say all the credit goes to my parents, Imran Mirza uncle and Sania who have put up tremendous efforts to notch up my game to the next level,” Prarthana pointed out. “It is because of them, I am a totally different and confident player and emerged a strong contender for the Olympics berth which again I deem is a life-time opportunity,” she remarked.

Not surprisingly, the young talent from the SMTA is all excited at the prospect of being there in Olympics. “Well, it is the kind of event which every sportsperson dreams about. And, I am blessed to be there this year and it could not have been better,” Prarthana said.

Prarthana’s father, Gulab Rao, too is immensely pleased with this news. “What more a father can ask for than seeing her child playing for the country in Olympics.

All the sacrifices and efforts we have been making are finally paying off and we (parents) must thank the Mirzas for their wonderful support,” he remarked.

Imran Mirza may turn out to be a strong contender for the prestigious Dronacharya Award given for the best coach by the Government of India.

Given that the articulate coach has not only produced India’s greatest women’s tennis player ever, Sania Mirza, but also an Olympian – Prarthana Thombare.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V.Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – June 15th, 2016

Historic tank to come back to life

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Nature, Records, All, Travel
Tourist spot:Collector Yogitha Rana and MLA Bigala Ganesh Gupta inspecting the locations around Raghunathalayam, in Nizamabad on Sunday.– Photo: K.V. RAMANA
Tourist spot:Collector Yogitha Rana and MLA Bigala Ganesh Gupta inspecting the locations around Raghunathalayam, in Nizamabad on Sunday.– Photo: K.V. RAMANA

Raghunathalayam atop the Quilla Indur in Nizamabad will be developed to attract devotees

The Raghunathalayam, atop the Quilla Indur dating back to the 10th century, will be developed to attract devotees from across the State as part of the Mission Kakatiya works undertaken at Boddemma cheruvu abutting the Quilla. A park would be built on three acres, and 12 acres would be allocated to the Kendriya Vidyalaya coming up nearby, according to MLA Bigala Ganesh Gupta.

Mr. Gupta, who inspected the works on Sunday to give shape to the tank as a mini tank bund, told reporters that an action plan would be prepared with proposal of funds required to develop the historic location. Collector Yogitha Rana and Joint Collector A. Ravinder Reddy, who accompanied the MLA, said that a detailed survey would be conducted to know about government land available around it.

They said that Quilla Indur and the Boddemma cheruvu would become important public recreational spots for the residents of the district headquarter town in the coming months. The government had sanctioned Rs. 6.28 crore and works were launched under the second phase of the Mission Kakatiya project. The bund strengthening work is almost complete.

Plantations and railings on both sides of the bund, as well as parks, would come up as part of the project. The 4.5-kilometre bund would be raised on a height of 8 metres with the same width, enabling passersby to move freely on it. Benches would be put up too. Nizamsagar main canal, which brings water into the tank and is one of the drinking water sources of the town, would also be strengthened with revetment.

“I request the government to revise the original plan as the amount sanctioned initially would not be sufficient to complete all works,” the MLA said.

Since it is meant for drinking water purpose, the only one sluice that exists for the tank may be removed. There is no clarity on it, but locals want it to continue. Raghunathalayam irrigation tank gradually became a drinking water source, with the ayacut under it having disappeared with the expansion of the city.

The tank is one of the major centres where Bathukamma is hosted during the nine-day celebrations. The tank will provide a panoramic view with lush green surroundings if water fills to the brim this monsoon.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by P. Ram Mohan / Nizamabad – June 13th, 2016

TIDE signs incubation agreements with start-ups

Business & Economy, Education

The Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurship (TIDE) at the University of Hyderabad signed incubation agreements with three start-up companies – Neoscript Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Sapphire Technologies LLP, and Aapka Painter Solutions Pvt. Ltd. – on Wednesday.

The TIDE-UoH is providing seed funding as part of its incubation support. The start-ups can use the varsity’s infrastructure facilities, and will also get technical mentoring by the university’s faculty.

Neoscript Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is a platform aimed at improving consistency and efficiency in learning quality of codes by providing automated evaluation and timely feedback. Sapphire Technologies LLP, with its platform www.ekgeo.com, is a social media built on the principle of radio, radar and broadcasting, said a press release on Wednesday.

The third start-up, Aapka Painter Solutions Pvt. Ltd., streamlines tire painting process and standardises the experience of getting spaces painted through technology. The programme was chaired by UoH Vice-Chancellor Prof. Appa Rao Podile. TIDE and TBI are recognised incubators in the Start-up India initiative of the Government of India.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – June 09th, 2016