Carved into Life

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Hyderabad :

A few years ago, some schools offered this subject called woodcraft. What it involved was making beautiful carvings out of wood and wood shavings. However, they did tend towards the more mundane and look much like the unpainted carvings sold on the roadside in various shapes of jugs, birds, toys even.

City-based Apoorva Prasanna decided to take the ‘mundane’ out of the craft and turn it into something quirky and distinctive.

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Having left her corporate job, Apoorva Prasanna found her calling in woodcraft with a twist with her ‘The Artwala Project’ started in September this year. Bright, colourful and quirky products made from wood is what you will get in her project. With a keen eye for detailing and creating unique products as her motto, Apoorva has slowly been building a steady clientele ever since she started. “I had made a moustache key holder and painted it in a bright shade which was really liked by my friends. While I was initially hesitant to take up making products like this fulltime, I did so later on with my friends encouragement,” says Apoorva.

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Beginning with small things like keychain holders, trays in varied shapes like cassettes, mustaches, handbags painted in vivid hues of red, blue and yellows, she soon branched out into photo frames, jewellery holders, cupcake stands, vases, handmade wedding cards, Christmas banners and so on. “Mostly people like to add their inputs when they place the order but I do keep a few readymade products on hand which can be delivered immediately,” adds Apoorva, who works with different types of wood.

Displaying her merchandise at flea markets at cultural spaces in the city has also gotten her a lot of mileage with orders pouring in each week. “Flea markets and my work with an NGO, The Indian Impact, where the proceeds from the sale went to charity did a lot in terms of spreading the word,” opines Apoorva.

Orders are aplenty these days for the 24-year-old, who is kept busy throughout the week, for the wood-cutting she has a hired help who cuts the wood in the design she wants, with the painting being done by her. Depending on the order, it takes her two-three days to complete the product, more if customisation is required.

Price range is between `250 to `1000.

Details: www.facebook.com/theartwalaproject

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features / December 04th, 2014

A bigger role for Captain Mohan

Records, All, Sports

The first-ever Hyderabadi to be elected the president of International Billiards and Snooker Federation

Captain P.V.K. Mohan became the first-ever Hyderabadi to head a world sports body when he was elected the president of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation for a period of two years. He beat Jim Leacy of Ireland by 28-21 votes.

For the 57-year-old Hyderabadi, it may be a added responsibility given the fact that he has been the vice-president of IBSF for quite some time and is also the president of BSFI since 2005. “It’s a huge honour and naturally means a bigger role to promote the sport worldwide. There is no doubt that cue sports are gaining popularity across the globe and millions watch it on TV,” says an elated Capt. Mohan, son of late Union Minister P. Upendra.

“Being familiar with what exactly the players need and look to the IBSF being myself the vice-president for long, I am confident of being equal to the task. Essentially, the players need more and more events with a well spaced out calendar to showcase their skills. India is a major host and Hyderabad has hosted two world championships already,” reminds the former national player.

“I will continue to be attached to cue sports here. The Cue Sports Academy being built on 1.2 lakh-square feet land near Nanakramguda in Hyderabad on the model of Crucible in UK should take the sport to a new level,” says Capt. Mohan. In fact, he saw to that Lucky Vatnani of Hyderabad I.V. Rajiv of Kakinada got wildcard entries in the ongoing World Snooker Championship in Bengaluru.

The Academy, being built at a cost of about Rs. 15 crore, will have 21 tables, including one centre table in a crucible-type structure with galleries, overhead fixed lighting and cameras too. “I can assure that the players will be looked after well. The BSFI has proved its credentials in conducting the world championships,” he signed off.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 29th, 2014

The Fascinating World of Storytelling

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Deepa enthralling a mixed group of people with her story telling
Deepa enthralling a mixed group of people with her story telling

Hyderabad :

It was a magical evening of storytelling at a cultural space in the city. The session conducted by Deepa Kiran transported everyone to many different worlds.

The community storytelling session was part of Hydourite, the performing arts festival. Deepa Kiran is founder of Story Arts India and is based in Hyderabad. She is a professional storyteller, education consultant, writer and voice-over artist.

The storytelling session saw Deepa sharing fun folktales and getting the audience to guess, sing along, and move along to the lilting rhythms and melodies woven into the stories. Engaging children with simple folk musical instruments like todi, shakes, tambourine, damru and wind flute, she had the audience’s attention hooked till the end. The storyteller used different languages like Hindi, English, Telugu and Tamil in the 90 minute journey as it unfolded three short stories and few songs. “Sun lo sun lo ek kahani, jisme raja tha na rani, ek mendhak duba pani mein,” sang children along with Deepa as she narrated the story through songs. With her own sound-effects and background music with folk instruments, she added life to the enchanting evening.

Among those present at the session were Nitin Sharma, a parent who said, “This is a wonderful event and should happen more frequently in the city. It helps children in enhancing their creative skills by triggering their imagination.”

Another was a student of class 2. “I like telling and listening to stories. I liked the way she was playing and adding tunes with musical instruments the most, ” said Siddharth. With storytelling fast becoming a lost art form, Gautam Deshpande said, “Somewhere we have forgotten this art of storytelling. Back in our times, our parents and grandparents always had time to entertain us with interesting stories. But it’s different today, I’ve no time to tell my child a story. It’s very good that someone like Deepa is taking time out of her life and engaging people this way. I too was taken back into the magical days of childhood.”

Explaining the importance of the art, Deepa said, “It triggers imagination. It is creative and relaxing. Children are overloaded with readymade techniques in digital space which makes them a passive recipient. But, unlike movies or games, in storytelling actions happen rather than just being delivered. It’s a call to everyone to get back to the era of gazette free story time”, she added. Recently, Deepa’ first book, ‘The Royal Mistake – Print cum Audio’ was released to a good response from the readers.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Nidhi Gupta / December 01st, 2014

Acubiz, a perfect platform for students

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education
Students participating in ‘Acubiz 2014’ at Roots, Somajiguda in Hyderabad on Friday, Organised by The Hindu, in association with Roots International School of Business and Management. Phjoto: Nagara Gopal
Students participating in ‘Acubiz 2014’ at Roots, Somajiguda in Hyderabad on Friday, Organised by The Hindu, in association with Roots International School of Business and Management. Phjoto: Nagara Gopal

The two-day AcuBiz-2014, organised by The Hindu and Roots, an international school of business and management, provided the right platform for students from various institutions to showcase their talents in a variety of events.

The event was inaugurated by Roots chairman B.P. Padala who asked the students to utilise the opportunities waiting for them in the business world.

Competitions like these hone students’ skills and shape them to face the tough world outside, he said. The mock stock exchange received tremendous response as students proved their business skills investing and drawing profit. Business quiz proved how smart the students were and the keen interest they showed in the world of business. Students from more than 25 colleges participated.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 29th, 2014

Journalists Sinha, Amar Elected to IJU

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

Hyderabad :

Photo-journalist SN Sinha and senior journalist Devulapalli Amar have been elected unopposed as president and secretary-general of the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) for a second term.

Sinha worked for Hindustan Times at Delhi and has a career spanning over three decades. He is currently freelancing and teaching photojournalism. He is also a member of the Press Council of India.

Hyderabad-based journalist Amar worked with several print and electronic media. He also served as chairman of AP Press Academy during 2005-10.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / November 22nd, 2014

Tale of Fading Glory

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

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Hyderabad :

Once a minister in Nizam’s court and a ‘shaukeen-mijaaz’, legend goes that he wore clothes European that were laundered in Paris, ate only European food, threw lavish parties, ‘Umrah-e-Uzaam’ nawab Fakhr-ul-mulk hadn’t wished to live longer to see his small kingdom being swept away by the winds of development, corruption and encroachment. The remnants of the more-than-century-old monument, peeping out from a corner at SR Nagar, tells the story of grandeur and splendour the Nawab was once known for.

Now a private property, as claimed by the great grandson of the aristocrat, the monument has tombs of Fakhr-ul-mulk, his wife, their five sons and other numerous descendants. “Until 1970, we received jaagir from the government to maintain the tomb. But when it stopped, shops and houses started cropping up on the property,” said Mir Sarfaraz Hussain, the great grand son of the nawab and a retired commissioner of commercial tax.

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Recently the ‘zannana’ or female entrance of the tomb was obstructed when a mulgi was set up along boundary wall of the structure. “We even approached the GHMC commissoner but nothing has come of it,” rues the Sarfaraz Hussain.

Not just encroachment, but in last 100 years, the industrial development and urbanisation tanned down its shine. The structure has endured traffic pollution for decades. With the metro rail passing through the area, the existential troubles have only increased for the the nawab’s tomb. “When the area fell under HMR plan, they negotiated with the encroachers and paid them. If taken away, we fear the beauty of the tomb be lost as it will be further sandwiched in the dust of developing the transport system,” points out the Mir Amanath Hussain, the great great grand of Fakhr-ul-Mulk and adds that the matter is pending in the court at the moment.

Erected on two acres out of the total four acres and 27 guntas estate, the tomb is a pagan symbol of tomb architecture in Hyderabad. It is also marked as the last major monument to be constructed in the Qutub Shahi revival style of architecture. Constructed with stone, lime stone and sand, it is quite modest but imposing at the same time.

The tomb that was awarded the Intach Heritage award in 2011 for being instrumental in the evolution of tomb architecture in Hyderabad, with its creaking iron gate, wild overgrowth, broken fountain, rumbling pool, unkept pathway — are all the tell-tale signs of sheer negligence. It’s ironic that the sixth generation of the family hardly has any knowledge of their glorious past or of the majestic stone structure in which they are associated with.

“Yearly we spend a lot of money on the upkeeping of the tomb but as you can see its not enough. What’s more is that no one takes interest in the upkeep of the place,” rues Sarfaraz Hussain and adds “when family is apathetic towards our ancestors, there is no surprise if the administration takes no heed of our pleas.” While fighting many legal battles, the retired government employee is also battling his relatives to set up a private committee to look after the upkeep of the structure.

M Vedakumar, a former core committee member of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the President of Forum for Better Hyderabad opines that retaining the rights of the heritage structure and its precinct by the private parties is justified. “The Government should, however, take into account the condition of the structure and provide assistance for its maintenance,” he said.

He feels that there is a need for a heritage cell to look into all the matter pertaining to the upkeeping of heritage structures. And rightly so, for one doesn’t know how many of the 156 heritage sites will exist for our grandchildren to see.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Sadaf Aman / November 25th, 2014

Fifty years on, Noshir stills swings his arm

Sports
Former Hyderabad off-spinner Noshir Mehta, who completed a rare record of competing in the HCA League for the 50th consecutive year, at the cake-cutting ceremony with his wife Yasmin on Sunday. - Photo: V. V. Subrahmanyam
Former Hyderabad off-spinner Noshir Mehta, who completed a rare record of competing in the HCA League for the 50th consecutive year, at the cake-cutting ceremony with his wife Yasmin on Sunday. – Photo: V. V. Subrahmanyam

Sixty-six-year-old former Hyderabad Ranji spinner Noshir Mehta took the field in the HCA League on Sunday, 50 years after he first did so in 1964. Like most old-timers, the Lal Bahadur Stadium was the hunting ground for this gentleman cricketer whose favourite was Salim Durrani. He fondly recalls how he clean-bowled the great Sunil Gavaskar and Ashok Mankad in a Ranji game.

Noshir Mehta is back at Gymkhana Grounds where he first played for SUCC in the HCA League – exactly 50 years ago. And, when this 66-year-old former Hyderabad Ranji off-spinner played for Roshanara against Hyderabad Panthers in the A-Division league match on Sunday, he set a rare record of longevity.

Sunday morning was a sentimental journey, with old-timers B. Mohan, Maheshwar Singh, N. Prahlad, Jyothi Prasad, Vijaya Paul, Abdul Bari Wahab, his mentor P.R. Man Singh, India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and former Davis Cupper S.P. Misra in attendance.

“The passion for the sport keeps me going and I will continue to play as long as I retain it,” says Mehta, who took 146 Ranji wickets between 1967 and 1977, playing mostly under the legendary M.L. Jaisimha.

Like most old-timers, the Lal Bahadur Stadium was the hunting ground for this gentleman cricketer whose favourite was Salim Durrani. He fondly recalls how he clean-bowled the great Sunil Gavaskar and Ashok Mankad in a Ranji game.

“Yes, it was a pity that my career ran parallel to the likes of the great Prasanna, whom I believe to be the best ever off-spinner, and Venkataraghavan. But, still the fact that I played with them along with Chandra for South Zone was itself a major achievement and a great experience,” he recalls with a big smile.

Some of Mehta’s most memorable feats include his personal best six-wicket haul against Tamil Nadu in Ranji Trophy in 1970, a record second-wicket partnership with Maheshwar Singh of about 480 in the Behraum-ud-Dowla Cup for State Bank of Hyderabad, the highest individual score of 55 not out in the then highly-popular single-wicket tournament, the next-best being Budi Kunderan (48) and Jaisimha (45).

“It has been a wonderful journey so far. Yes, the biggest regret is that I never got a chance to play for India. Perhaps, it is destiny’s call that I had to be content with only first-class cricket,” a philosophical Mehta said.

“And, this long journey is possible because of my parents (his father S. R. Mehta himself was an outstanding cricketer) and my wife Yasmin. They make me enjoy the game with the same passion even now,” he says.

Noshir signs off with a tinge of disgust at the falling standards of the HCA Leagues now. “I can tell you that 99 per cent of the current Hyderabad Ranji Trophy would not have got selected for the then prestigious Zonals itself, leave alone for the State,” he concluded.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 23rd, 2014

Balachander Anirudh: He could be the next big thing from Hyderabad

Sports
Balachander Anirudh, who was adjudged 'Best Under-19 Cricketer' by the BCCI for the 2013-14 season, at St. John's Cricket Foundation. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Balachander Anirudh, who was adjudged ‘Best Under-19 Cricketer’ by the BCCI for the 2013-14 season, at St. John’s Cricket Foundation. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Immensely talented southpaw Balachander Anirudh promises much, but will he don the India colours?

The BCCI giving away the award for the ‘Best Under-19 Cricketer (2013-14)’ to Balachander Anirudh is just another reminder of the immense potential this young Hyderabadi has.

In fact, the gifted southpaw could well don India colours, going by Anirudh’s phenomenal record of 903 runs from seven matches in the All-India Cooch Behar Trophy (under-19), that included three centuries and three 50s.

A product of St. John’s Cricket Foundation, where the great V.V.S. Laxman also mastered the basics in his younger days, Anirudh is taking it one step at a time.

“First, I want to do well in the Ranji Trophy, if given the chance. Like anyone else, I too dream of playing for India one day,” says the B. Com student of SP College.

His parents – V. Balachander (a bank officer) and mother Girija – shifted to the city from Chennai when Anirudh was in Class III. After initial schooling at DAV Public School, he moved to St. Andrews School. John Manoj of St. John’s was his first coach and he never really looked back since.

“Earlier, I used to throw away my wicket playing rash strokes but thanks to Ashok Singh Sir (who also mentored VVS Laxman in his formative days) the focus was on concentration and fitness levels. I am glad the efforts paid off really well, because of which I could score a double century and two centuries in the Cooch Behar Trophy,” explains Anirudh.

This highly-rated young batting star admires Sri Lankan Kumara Sangakkara for he feels that his batting style is similar to the great cricketer.

“I have a long way to go. I would love to play at No. 3 and play a key role in the fortunes of whichever team I play,” signs off the young cricketer after another grinding session in the nets.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 23rd, 2014

Govt. urged to observe death anniversary of Rani Rudrama Devi

Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All
The restored inscription on the death of Rani Rudrama at Chandupatla village in Nalgonda district. Photo: Singam Venkataramana / The Hindu
The restored inscription on the death of Rani Rudrama at Chandupatla village in Nalgonda district. Photo: Singam Venkataramana / The Hindu

The historians, writers and people of Chandupatla village, where an inscription that confirmed the exact death date of great Kakatiya ruler Rani Rudrama Devi was found few years ago, have appealed to the Telangana government to organise the 725th death anniversary of Rani Rudrama Devi on November 27 at this village.

Until the inscription was found in 1994 at Chandupatla that confirmed the death date of Rudrama Devi as 1289 AD, November 27, there was no proof available on the death of the first Hindu woman emperor of India. According to historians, only Razia Sultana ruled parts of India from Delhi before Rudrama Devi.

Speaking to The Hindu, historian D. Suraya Kumar said that Rudrama Devi had initiated several welfare programmes like digging tanks for bringing many acres under cultivation, which was an inspiration for the Telangana government in restoring all the minor irrigation tanks.

Besides, the historian said that Rudrama Devi had also introduced several welfare programmes for the betterment of the life of her people while effectively confronting invading male warriors during her 30 years from 1259 to 1289.

He urged the Telangana government to make Rudrama Devi the symbol of women’s empowerment in Telangana.

He appealed to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao to organise the 725th death anniversary ceremony at Chandupatla.

Besides an inscription, there are historical statues of Lord Ganesha and a warrior riding on the back of a horse in the village.

The village tank, Rasamudram, built during the Kakatiya Samudram, also finds a mention in the inscription because the inscription was installed very close to the village tank by a soldier of Rudrama Devi’s army Puvvula Mummadi, who is believed to be a native of Chandupatla.

The inscription also says the Chief of Army of Rudrama Devi, Mallikarjuna Nayakudu, was killed on the same day, but there was no mention of the reason and the place of her death.

Noted poet, Venu Sankoju, urged the Chief Minister to observe the death anniversary, because her achievements were belittled by previous governments.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by T. Karnakar Reddy / Nalgonda – November 20th, 2014

Farmers find a good alternative in Kasturi Benda

Agriculture

The cultivation of Kasturi Benda (Abelmoschus moschatus) medicinal plant is steadily gaining popularity among farmers, particularly those who are vexed with the monkey menace and ‘unviable conventional farming’.

Several enterprising farmers have been cultivating the medicinal herb in Kallur, Enkur and a few other mandals in the district over the last few years. Their commercially successful farming venture prompted other farmers to take up the cultivation of Kasturi Benda, the seed of which is used in the preparation of some traditional medicine and in the perfume industry.

N. Rama Krishna, a farmer of Botlakunta village in Konijerla mandal, switched over to Kasturi Benda cultivation in June this year, after suffering a series of losses in cotton cultivation due to drought-like conditions and the monkey menace.

“After my bitter experience with cotton and maize cultivation in the past, I cultivated Kasturi Benda in two acres under the guidance of a veteran farmer of Kallur mandal,” said Rama Krishna.

“Now, monkeys don’t venture into my field as they dislike eating this particular variety of medicinal herb,” he remarked, adding that he is expecting an average yield of 300 to 400 kg per acre.

I am also hopeful of an assured income of at least Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1 lakh in view of a buy back arrangement with a Karnataka-based firm, he said.

“The Kasturi Benda seed is used in the preparation of traditional medicine for treating nervous disorders, including hysteria,” said J. Marianna, Horticultural Officer, Khammam.

The flowers, roots, leaves, stem and bark of the medicinal herb are also in high demand, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by P. Sridhar / Khammam – November 19th, 2014