Veteran film actor and writer Gollapudi Maruti Rao and former Vice-Chancellor of Dravidian University Ravva Srihari received Mandali Venkata Krishnarao Sahithi award at a ceremony organised by the Krishna District Writers Association here on Saturday.
Assembly Deputy Speaker Mandali Buddha Prasad instituted the award. Poet and critic Vadrevu China Veera Bhadrudu got Aaluri Bairagi Sahithi award instituted by former Rajya Sabha member Yarlagadda Laxmiprasad while novelist and researcher in history and Telugu language and culture Turlapati Rajeswari and poet and critic Radheya received Guthikonda Subbarao Sahithi award.
The association has presented Pollavarapu Koteswararao award to novelists and storywriters D. Kameswari and Attada Apalla Naidu. Mukkamala Nagabushanam award was given to eminent journalist and former editor of vernacular Telugu daily Visaalandhra C. Raghavachari and senior journalist and former editor of Andhra Patrika Veeraji.
The association gave Rs.10,000 in cash, a citation and shawl to the award recipients after felicitating them. Mr. Buddha Prasad, who participated as a chief guest, appreciated the award recipients for their contribution in their respective fields. Recalling his association with the eminent personalities in the literary and cultural studies over decades, Mr. Maruti Rao advised upcoming writers to be careful with their works.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – October 11th, 2015
Cultural Centre of Vijayawada, started 10 months ago with the objective of reviving the glory of Vijayawada as a centre of arts, culture and literature by encouraging artists and artisans, has taken another step to strengthen the revival process.
The centre’s patron and Malaxmi Group of Companies chairman Y Harischandra Prasad signed an MoU with a Korean artist SEO JUNG JA, who runs an art studio and cultural centre in Seoul, South Korea. The Korean Artist evinced keen interest in having a tie-up with the Cultural Centre for establishing cultural contacts between Korea and Amaravati, as many Korean companies are likely to participate in its construction.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / October 09th, 2015
Kranthi Maganti addressing a press conference in Vijayawada on Tuesday. —Photo: V. Raju
Kranthi Maganti of Vijayawada has collaborated with Hyderabad-based Angasutra, an exclusive outlet of couture designer wear, to put together a two-day exhibition-cum-sale of high-end designer wear at Gateway Hotel from Wednesday.
The ‘Angasutra Trunk Show’ will bring under one roof leading designers from across the show, said Ms. Maganti at a press conference here on Tuesday. The designer store in Hyderabad has done exclusive in-house promotions with designers such as Manish Malhotra, Varun Bahl, Anushree Reddy and Neeta Lulla and an exclusive collection of these designers would be part of the two-day expo in city, she said.
Couture and diffusion line of the above mentioned designers and 20 other designers will include trousseau men’s wear from Ashish Soni and Zubair Kirmani.
Informing that Angasutra’s speciality is to create bespoke bridal collections for Hyderabad’s top industrial and business families, she said the visits of designers like Manish Malhotra, Varun Bahl, Raw Mango, Neeta Lulla, Pallavi Jaikisan and Nikhil Thampi have given a boost to the image of the showroom.
Ms. Maganti claimed that actresses like Sridevi and Vidya Balan have visited Angasutra for their personal shopping. “Now we want to bring a similar experience to people of Vijayawada,” she said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Vijayawada / Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – October 07th, 2015
Veteran film producer Edida Nageshwara Rao (81) passed away at a private hospital in the city on Sunday. Nageshwara Rao, who was suffering from ill health for the past few days, breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Star Hospitals in the city.
Known for his commitment to aesthetic and cultural values, Nageswara Rao produces classics like Sagara Sangamam, Shankarabharanam, Swati Mutyam, Sitara, Apathbhandavudu, among others. He produced movies under the banner of Poornodaya Pictures and most of these movies were directed by director K Vishwanath.
Nageswara Rao was born in Kothapet of West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. Besides producing many movies he held important positions in film industry bodies like Producers Council, Nandi Awards Committee, among others. The mortal remains of Rao will be kept at his residence in Film Nagar till Monday afternoon and final rites will be performed in the evening.
Chief minister KCR and AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over Edida’s death.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / October 05th, 2015
Glowing tributes were paid to noted poet Gurram Joshua on his 120th birth anniversary here on Monday.
Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti founder President Manda Krishna Madiga, Prakasam district Collector Sujatha Sharma, Dalita Hakulu Parirakshana Samiti district president N. Nagendra Rao and Gundalakamma Rachayathula Sangham president Sriramsgar Kavacaham were among those who garlanded the statue of Joshua, a noted scholar both in Telugu and Sanskrit, at the Prakasam Bhavan here.
At a commemoration meeting, people from different walks of life recalled the contributions of the poet for the uplift of downtrodden sections of people.
Gurram Joshua’s writings were an emotional outpouring of a person who had experienced poverty and caste discrimination, Krishna Madiga said.
Political power
Extolling Joshua as a ‘king of dalit literature,’ the MRPS leader exhorted one and all to follow his footsteps to ameliorate the living condition of Dalits and unite them in achieving political power.
His works, including Gabbilam (A Bat), Firadausi (A Rebel), and Kandiseekudu (A Refugee), would be remembered forever, said Sriramsagar Kavacham.
The verses of Joshua in the popular play Harischandra were recalled on the occasion with the particular reference to heart-rending cremation ground scene.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu /Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Ongole – September 26th, 2015
A view of the inside cover page of the New Testament that was first translated and printed in Telugu in 1818.—Photo: Special Arrangement
The world celebrates September 30 as the International Translation Day to commemorate the feast of St. Jerome, who was the first to translate the Bible from Hebrew to Latin.
Coming to translation, Vizagapatam (Visakhapatnam as then called by the British) has a page in the history of this crafty art.
It is in this once sleepy fishing town that the Greek version of the New Testament of Bible was first translated into ‘Teloogoo’ (Telugu, as then spelt by the Englishmen) in the early part of the 19th century.
History records that Rev. Benjamin Schulz was the first to translate parts of the Bible into the native Telugu language in the early part of the 18th century, and the manuscripts were sent to Halle in Germany for printing.
It is unclear as to what had happened to the manuscripts, but they were not printed.
Later, in 1805, two missionaries from the London Missionary Society, George Cran and Augustus de Granges, landed in Vizagapatam, with the task of providing English education to native children and to reproduce the Bible in the native tongue.
They first started a school within a fortnight of their arrival. Their subsequent efforts resulted in starting of an Anglo Vernacular School in 1836, which is still in existence by the name CBM High School.
For accomplishing the second goal, the missionaries took up learning Telugu and in two years mastered the language.
But it was in 1808 that a Maratha Brahmin by name Subba Rayer, who worked as accountant in Tippu Sultan’s army, joined them.
Subba Rayer, a native of Tranquebar (now called Tarangambadi in Tamil Nadu), converted to Christianity and changed his name to Anand Rayer.
An exponent in Telugu and Tamil, Anand Rayer moved to Vizagapatam to assist the missionaries.
In 1808, George Cran passed away and in 1810 Augustus de Granges too died.
But Anand Rayer did not lose hope. By that time, three gospels, namely Matthew, Mark, and Luke, had been completed and were ready for printing.
He took the manuscripts to William Carey at Seerampore in Bengal, who had by then translated the Bible into Bengali.
Though it was only part of the New Testament, the first-ever printed version of the Bible in Telugu was printed in 1812.
Later, Anand Rayer was joined by Rev. Edward Pritchett in Vizagapatam in 1812, and both took up translating the full version of the New Testament. And the first full print of the New Testament in Telugu came out in 1818. The full version was printed in Madras.
According to Mr. Edward Paul of INTACH, who researched on this subject, only three original copies of the first printed Telugu Bible are available now. While one is in the British Library in London, the other two are in United Theological College, Bengaluru, and with a seller of old books in the U.S.
Basing on the contribution made by Anand Rayer, the Bell at London Mission Memorial Church in Visakhapatnam is named after him as ‘Ananda Sunadam’
George Cran and Augustus de Granges paired up with Anand Rayer to translate a part of the New Testament. It was printed in 1812. Later, Anand Rayer teamed up with Rev. Edward Pritchett and printed the full version in 1818
Acknowledging the contribution made by Anand Rayer, the Bell at London Mission Memorial Church in Visakhapatnam is named after him as ‘Ananda Sunadam’
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Sumit Bhattacharjee / September 30th, 2015
The South Indian Classical Dance Festival began in the city on Saturday under the aegis of Southern Cultural Centre (Tanjavore), cultural councils of Central and state governments, and Young Men’s Hindu Association (YMHA).
Andhra Pradesh Assembly speaker K Siva Prasada Rao lit the lamp and inaugurated the festival. He emphasised upon the need to encourage the classical art forms in the state and pointed out that Tamil Nadu encourages art forms in a big way. He assured to set up Government Music and Dance College in the city with the help of public representatives.
Southern Region Cultural Centre director EN Sajith, city mayor Sheikh Noorjahan, YMHA Trust Board general secretary KV Satyanarayana and working committee president Ch Gopi also participated. Later the speaker felicitated the dance artists.
On the occasion, the Aiswarya Warrior team of Baroda performed Mohiniyttam (‘Shakti’ dance play let), while Kuchipudi artiste Amaranth Ghosh from Chennai performed ‘Jayadeva Ashtapadi’ and ‘Shivasthakam’. The Ghosh team also performed ‘Ganapathi Kowtham’, ‘Govardhan Giridhari’ and ‘Marakata Manimaya’, which enthralled the audience.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / September 27th, 2015
Vocalist Tulasi Viswanath’s concert paid tribute to late guru G.V Ramakumari.
Swarajhari sabha of Vijayawada conducted a vocal concert by V.L.Tulasi Viswanath of Rajahmundry, a senior disciple of G.V. amakumari and veteran vidwan Annavarapu Ramaswamy at Sri Sringeri Peetha Paripalita Sivaramakrishna Kshetram.
The sabha dedicated the concert to the memory of vidushi G.V. Ramakumari who passed away recently at the age of 90, leaving her innumerable disciples in gloom.
Ramakumari who worked as a vocal lecturer in the G.V.R. Government College of Music and Dance, Vijayawada for nearly 20 years, endeared herself to her countless students and admirers with her kind hearted and dedicated nature. She was an ideal teacher of vocal and violin and also a charitable person who gave all she had to help many people including students who were unable to pay their college or school fees.
For Sangeeta Sanmandali, an organisation which conducts Thyagaraja Vardhanthi every year, Ramakumari donated the cost of the Panchaloha idol of Anjaneyaswamy which amounted to Rs.20,000. Her charitable disposition knew no bounds. Ramakumari was disciple of the legendary guru Parupalli Ramakrishnaiah Pantulu and inherited her guru’s style of singing and teaching.
Before the concert, a brief condolence meeting was held in her memory. Vidwans Annavarapu Ramaswamy, Modumudi Sudhakar and several senior students of the vidushi paid touching tributes to late Ramakumari.
The meeting was followed by a fine vocal concert by Tulasi Viswanath, a senior singer who received her initial training from late Ramakumari.
Tulasi, a post-graduate in music, sports a sweet voice and neat style of rendering. With her immense ‘pathantaram’ she can commandingly sing many rare ragas and compositions. She began her concert with Sri Mahaganapathim in Abhogi and followed it with Kamakshi Sri Varalakshmi of Dikshitar in Bilahari preceding the kirtana with a fine raga essay. After singing Parasakthi in Saveri, Tulasi presented an elaborate and soulful raga delineation of Gowrimanohari and sang Varalakshmi Namosthuthe of Mysore Vasudevachar.
However, the highlight in Tulasi Viswanath’s concert was the sumptuous presentation of Thyagaraja’sDachukovalena in Todi complementing it with rich raga, neraval and kalpana swaras. She was excellently followed on the violin by her brother P. Nandakumar and on the mridangam by P.S.Phalgun, both staffers of Government Music colleges in Guntur and Vijayawada respectively. M. Haribabu played the ghatam. Nandakumar’s solo versions of Todi and Gowrimanohari and the rousing tani presented by Phalgun and Haribabu were also impressive.
Towards the close of the concert Tulasi rendered Sri Kanakadurge in Navarasakannada and a thillana of Balamurali in Ahirbhairav.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review> Music / by R Surya Rao / September 10th, 2015
Prakasam Zilla Rachayatula Sangham presidentB. Hanuma Reddy being felicitated by TDP MLC Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy and others in Ongole on Sunday. —Photo: Kommuri Srinivas
TDP MLC Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy led men of letters in honouring Prakasam Zilla Rachayitala Sangham president B. Hanuma Reddy for his contributions in enriching the language.
“It was based on the valuable inputs provided by the Sangham, I was able to articulate the demand for classical language status for Telugu effectively in Parliament,” said the former MP at a function got up to felicitate the Sangham president who was honoured with ‘Gidugu Bhasha Puraskar’ by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently.
Accepting the felicitations, Mr. Hanuma Reddy observed that the onus of nurturing Telugu language was equally with the governments in Telangana and AP as also the Centre. Sangham secretary Ponnuri Venkata Srinivasulu sought setting up of academies for fine arts across the two States for promotion of music, dance and literature.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Ongole – September 07th, 2015
Yatam Kanaka Durga rolling ‘Putarekulu’ at Atreyapuram in East Godavari district. —Photo: S. Rambabu
Atreyapuram is famous for the sweet which is exported to various countries
“There are many sweets made in Andhra. But, ‘Putarekulu’ are made only in Atreyapuram. If you enter our village, the sweet ghee smell will welcome you,” say women of the village.
Tucked in lush green fields on Godavari canal bund, the village became famous for its ‘Putarekulu’ sweet which is exported to various Indian cities and other countries.
Boards erected in front of every house with the script ‘Nethi Putarekulu’ ammabadunu’ (Ghee Putarekulu are sold here) and grandmothers, daughter-in-laws and grand daughters diligently preparing the delicacies are seen at every house.
“Many sweet stalls are surviving by selling ‘Putarekulu’. We sell each roll at a low cost and the stall owners are selling them at higher prices. Still ‘Putarekulu’ sell like hot cakes,” say the traditional sweet makers.
Thousands of women are taking ‘putarekulu’ and rolling the sweets, and men in families are helping to get raw material for preparing the savouries. Sweet stalls in Rajahmundry, Amalapuram, Razole, Bhimavaram, Kakinada, Yanam, Visakhapatnam, Eluru, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune and other cities are the major buyers of the special sweets, said a woman Velpuru Mavullamma.“Putarekulu are being served along with meals during marriage functions, birthdays, marriage days, Satyanarayana Vratams, all festivals, political meetings, retirement functions and many other celebrations. No function is being held without ‘Putarekulu’ sweet,” says Yatam Kanaka Durga, of Atreyapuram village.“Our village is a hub for ethnic foods and we want to provide all traditional foods in Atreyapuram. Along with ‘putarekulu’, we are selling mango jelly, ‘bobbatlu’, ‘purnam burelu’, ‘ariselu’, pickles, curry leaves powder (Karivepaku podi), Red gram powder (Kandi podi) and other varieties,” Ms. Kanaka Durga toldThe Hindu.
Visitors from far off places visit Atreyapuram village and purchase fresh stocks every day. Some women are engaged in taking ‘putarekulu’ while some are involved in rolling the sweets.
“There are a few varieties of ‘putarekulu’. The sweet variety can be made with sugar and ghee, jaggery and ghee, sugar and jaggery mixed, sugar, jaggery and dry fruits and also with milk cake. The price of one roll ranges from Rs. 6 to Rs. 30 while it costs around Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 in a sweet stalls and restaurants,” Ms Kanaka Durga said. ‘Putarekulu’ made with ghee and jaggery can be stored up to one month. If made with dry fruits, the rolls can be stored for 10 days. However, the sweets can be preserved for more days by storing in fridges. Other varieties like mango jelly, pickles and ethnic foods are available throughout the year in the village at reasonable prices, the women said.
Tucked in lush green fields on Godavari canal bund, Atreyapuram is famous for its ‘Putarekulu’ sweet which is exported to various Indian cities and other countries
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Rajulapudi Srinivas / Atreyapuram (East Godavari) – September 01st, 2015
