Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Book Exhibition on Freedom Fighters

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Visakhapatnam :

Commemorating the services of Indian freedom fighters, a special book exhibition was organised by GITAM Knowledge Resource Center (KRC) at GITAM University here Thursday.

Valuable literature available at the GITAM KRC will be kept at display to create awareness about the freedom struggle among the students. The exhibition will be open for two more days.

“Remembering our leaders and their struggle means remembering our history. The books put for display at the expo, which pass on rich historical background, will hopefully inspire the youth,” university vice-chancellor G Subrahmanyam said while inaugurating the event.

Around 500 rare publications, particularly ones like ‘Struggle for Freedom’ by RC Majumdar, ‘Story of the Indian National Army’, ‘Jail Diary’ by C Rajagopalachari, ‘Pakistan or the Partition of India’ by Dr BR Ambedkar, ‘Punjab Freedom Fighter Baba Prithvi Singh Azad’, ‘Nehru-Thoughts’, and books on Mahatma Gandhi were main attractions at the exhibition.

GITAM Institute of Technology principal K Lakshmiprasad and university librarian Nagaratnamani also participated.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / August 15th, 2014

ANU Registrar to bring out journal on Fourth World Literature

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, World Opinion

 

P. Rajasekhar Registrar, Acharya Nagarjuna University. / Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar
P. Rajasekhar Registrar, Acharya Nagarjuna University. / Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar

A senior professor of English at Acharya Nagarjuna University, P. Rajasekhar, is shortly bringing out a peer reviewed international bi-annual journal on ‘The Cultural and Literary Nationalism of Fourth World.’ The journal has been registered with publication number —ISSN: 2349- 3039

The journal, a first-of-its-kind on Fourth World Literatures, is the culmination of the scholarly and consistent efforts of Professor Rajasekhar in conducting two significant global seminars on Fourth World Literatures during 2009 and 2012.

Popular native and aboriginal academicians and writers like Jay Hansford Vest (USA), Ernie Blackmore ( Australia), Cynthia Wesley Esquimoux (Canada), Lee Maracle ( Canada), Bruce Pascoe ( Australia), Charles Robertson (US), Jo-Ann Episkenew (Canada), Mark Anderson (Canada) and Hone Sadler (New Zealand) would be on the editorial board.

“The objective of the journal is to promote cultural and nationalism of Fourth World Literatures across the world. We are inviting scholarly responses on pertinent social, cultural and literary aspects of the Fourth World,” said Dr. Rajasekhar, who as the Registrar of the University finds time to guide research scholars and bring out publications.

Journals run by the individuals have set new parameters for the discourse of criticism. For instance, T.S. Eliot’s ‘The Criterion’ , F. R. Leavis’s ‘Scrutiny’ & Ezra Pound’s journal have been popular literary journals run by individuals. Dr. Rajasekhar hopes that this journal on Fourth World Literature would be on the lines of Yale Review, Harvard Review, Southern review and The Atlantic.

Dr. Rajasekhar said that scholarly articles about the contemporary issues of Fourth World Literatures are invited for publication. The details of the journals can be had from: www. Fouthworldlitt.in. The articles should be sent to: derrida.derrida@gmail.com

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / Staff Reporter / Guntur – August 07th, 2014

Devout Turn to ‘Lord of Seven Weeks’ for Wish-Fulfilment

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Vadapalli (East Godavari):
Come Saturday the tiny village of Vadapalli in Atreyapuram mandal of the district transforms itself into a beehive of activity with about 30,000 devotees turning up for the darshan of Lord Venakateswara Swamy at temple of ‘God of Seven Weeks’.

The devout believe that the Lord grants their wishes if they make seven ‘pradakshinams’ around the temple on seven Saturdays and that its result can be felt after completion of the fourth ‘pradakshinam’.

‘Kalyanotsavams’ are being performed on all days except Saturdays. As many as 5,000 devotees will have ‘anna prasadam’ Saturday. Scores of villagers do perform voluntary service like regulating the queue lines, distributing ‘prasadam’, providing drinking water, cleaning the temple, etc., every Saturday.

The villagers feel that it is an opportunity given to them by the Lord to serve his devotees. A week-long festival of ‘Kalyanam’ and ‘Tirtham’ on ‘Chaitra Sudda Padyami’ is an important event performed at the temple.

Lord Venkateswara Swamy is a ‘Swayambhu’ on red sandalwood. Legend has it that once many sages visited Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntam and asked him to protect ‘dharma’ on the earth.

He assured them to appear on sandalwood in river Gowthami. Later, the villagers found a sandal box in the river, took it to the village and opened it to find the Lord on red sandalwood.

Sage Narada constructed the temple after performing a ‘yagna’ and the rituals performed by Vaikhanasa Brahmins and Sri Vaishnava Acharyas. Raja of Peddapuram Vatsavasi Timmagajapathi Maha Raju donated the land in 1759. Temple trust board chairman T Subba Raju said, ”Lord Venakateswara has given us an opportunity to work for him.” The temple will be developed and better amenities would be provided for the devotees soon. Speaking to TNIE, temple executive officer PVVS Kameswara Rao said that plans were afoot to construct an ‘annadanam’ complex at an estimated cost of `70 lakh. Proposals were sent to the endowments commissioner in this regard.

He further said that ‘Srivari Seva’ badges would be given to the villagers who work at the temple voluntarily Saturdays. The number of devotees is increasing by the day.  Daily ‘annadanam’ programme would be launched soon, he said and disclosed that the annual income of the temple stood at about `1 crore.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by S S Chary / August 01st, 2014

‘Stamp’ of recognition for rare collection

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion
One of the collections of G. Sri Ramarao -- A special gold foil Russian stamp with sand embedded on it. (Right) The philatelist.
One of the collections of G. Sri Ramarao — A special gold foil Russian stamp with sand embedded on it. (Right) The philatelist.

Driven by a passion to share his knowledge and collection with as many as possible, city- based philatelist Commander (retired) G. Sri Ramarao has been participating in philatelic exhibitions where his painstaking collection has drawn accolades.

He bagged a gold medal at the recently concluded APEX 2014 philatelic exhibition organised by the Department of Posts at Vijayawada. Incidentally his wife Rama Lakshmi won a large silver medal at the same expo.

G. Sri Ramarao / PHOTOS: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM.
G. Sri Ramarao / PHOTOS: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM.

His passion for music, which was revived after he retired from the Indian Navy, set him on the path of collecting stamps on anything and everything related to music. He has collected gramophone record stamps, CD stamps, stamps on musicians from across the world. To top his collection on music is his collection of stamped covers with post mark from post offices named after musicians.

“There is so much interest in philately abroad and in fact a postmaster of one of the post offices named after a famed musician not only stamped my cover but also wrote a letter explaining how and why it was named so,” Cdr Ramarao said. In contrast the Philatelic Bureau in Mumbai was tardy in sending the details of releases.

“There is a need to create awareness about philately in India,” he said.

Many were not aware of the fact that the special stamps like batik, embroidery, or made with lace are proper stamps that can be used as postage.

Limca Book of Records has recognised four of the stamp collections of Cdr Ramarao and he has received certificates for two and other the other two are being sent.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by G. S. Subrahmanyam / Visakhapatnam – August 05th, 2014

City man scales two mountains

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

KhasimRazaMPOs10aug2014

Khasim Raza conquers Mt. Elbrus, wants to climb all ‘Seven Summits’ by 2017. Though the ascent to the base camp which is at an elevation of 10,000 ft by chairlift is easy, it took nine days for his five-member team and guide to scale the mountain.

Vijayawada-born Khasim Raza made big news in the city when he climbed the Khilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Now he is back in the limelight by conquering Mt. Elbrus the highest mountain in Europe. He plans to climb all ‘Seven Summits’ of the world by 2017.

It is the dream of every mountaineer to climb all seven mountains on the list. Mount Everest is the highest peak with an elevation of 29,020 feet. It is followed by Aconcagua (22,838 ft), McKinley (20,322 ft), Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft), Elbrus (18,510 ft), Vinson (16,050), Puncak Jaya (16,050 ft) and Kosciuszko (7,310). (The names of eight mountains are listed because there are two different lists of the Seven Summits. Mountaineer Bass lists Kosciuszko in his list, but mountaineer Messner lists Puncak Jaya in his list.)

Mr Raza did his schooling in N.S.M. Public School here and went on to become a British citizen.

He now operates with Dubai has his base. His father, owner of Metro Opticals in Gandhi Nagar, is one of the first opticians of the town. Mr Raza’s sights are trained next on Aconcagua, the second highest peak in the list, located in South America.

“Every mountain teaches you something. Kili (the affectionate way he refers to the mountain) taught me how to deal with wind speeds and high altitude, Elbrus taught me about cold. It is all snow and ice there,” he said.

Though the ascent to the base camp which is at an elevation of 10,000 ft by chairlift is easy, it took nine days for his five-member team and guide to scale the mountain. “We lived in accommodation that is similar to a container used for shipping goods. Every alternate day we went out on acclimatisation climbs. Unlike in Kili, the gradients on Elbrus are very steep,” he said. He says the view from the mountain slopes were really breathtaking.

Besides mountaineering, Mr Raza is every inch an adventure junkie. Just a couple of months ago he and some friends went on a cross-country cycling expedition in Cyprus. “I want to share my experiences to inspire youngsters to become more adventures and pursue challenges,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by G. Venkataramana Rao / Vijayawada – August 09th, 2014

Muvvala Perumallu Remembered

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All

Vijayawada :

People are not following the democratic centralism concept, which is leading to several problems in the society. Instead of values and human relations, the importance is being given to money and position, Andhra Pradesh High court justice B Chandra Kumar has said.

Delivering the memorial speech of Muvvala Perumallu organised by Jayanth Publications and Jana Vignana Vedika (JVV) on the occasion of his birth anniversary here Saturday, Chandra Kumar said that Perumallu worked hard for the welfare of the society through his publications and stands as the inspiration for future generations.

Senior journalist and editor of a vernacular daily C Raghavachari said that though most of his publications were criticised by many, he always tried to reflect the truth through his publications.

Later, Chandra Kumar unveiled the book, ‘Ekkadiki Prasthanam’ written by Brahma Reddy. Well known poet Manepalli Hrishi Kesava Rao, popularly known as Nagnamuni (one of the six ‘Digambara Kavulu’) was felicitated by Jayanth Publications directors Muvvala Subbaramaiah and Syama Sambhaiah on the occasion.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / August 10th, 2014

Free entry to children on Kursura anniversary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology
File picture of visitors queuing up to see the Submarine Museum INS Kursura in Visakhapatnam. Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
File picture of visitors queuing up to see the Submarine Museum INS Kursura in Visakhapatnam. Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Children below the age of 15 years will be provided free entry to the Kursura Submarine museum on Saturday to mark its 12th Anniversary.

VUDA Vice-Chairman M. V. Satyanarayana said children below 15 years or studying up to Class X in any school would be allowed to visit the museum without entry fee from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The submarine that made India proud in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war now stands tall at Ramakrishna Beach in Visakhapatnam.

The Soviet-built I-641 Submarine was decommissioned on February 28, 2001.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home>News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – August 09th, 2014

Kakinada’s proud Moment: T. Veerabhadra Rao

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion
T. Veerabhadra Rao’s photo from the series Rural India, titled Morning Melody, Mother’s Love
T. Veerabhadra Rao’s photo from the series Rural India, titled Morning Melody, Mother’s Love

Hyderabad: 

T. Veerabhadra Rao, an amateur photographer from Kakinada, has received Associate Membership in the Royal Photography Society (RPS), Great Britain. He is the only person from India to bag the honour this year and one of the 40 world-wide.

Each participant had to submit 15 photographs, which were evaluated by a panel of 24 judges, at least 18 of whom would have to approve. “However, in Rao’s case, all 24 judges approved his selection,” says Kruthiventi Perraju, president of the Kakinada Camera Club, adding that Rao is the first photographer from Kakinada to receive the honour.

Rao, who works as a photographer in the agriculture department, had sent his entries under the title “Rural India”. His photos reflected tribal life.

One of his photos, “Street Singer”, depicting a person begging while singing, was particularly appreciated. “An ordinary beggar was given an artistic twist which got accolades from the jury. Like Wordsworth, who transmitted lives of simple folk into poetry, Rao captured the ordinary life of a village” says Perraju.

Rao drew inspiration from the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and he is a disciple of O.P. Sharma, a legend in pictorial photography. He learnt the tricks of the trade from the great photographer, late Somanchi Ravi Shankar.

Rao has received 110 awards and certificates for his photographs. Thanks to him, the Kakinada Camera Club has stood among the top in the world for the past 10 years. He says that his goal is to become a fellowship member of RPS.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> LifeStyle> Books-Art / DC / Vadrevu Srinivas / August 05th, 2014

Actor Rajamraju passes away at 83

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Hyderabad :

Senior actor Sagiraju Rajamraju, popularly known as Mukku Raju, died in his hometown Cherukuwada in West Godavari district of AP on Thursday. He was 83.

Raju had been ailing for sometime. The last rites of the actor will be performed on Friday. Raju joined the film industry as a choreographer and subsequently became an actor.

He played several character roles in nearly 600 films and won the Nandi award as best supporting actor for the film ‘1940 Lo Oka Gramam’ in 2008. became popular for his roles in films directed by R Narayanamurthy, which included ‘Erra Sainyam’, ‘Orey Rickshaw’, and ‘Cheemala Dandu’.

He also acted in the hit film ‘Mayuri’ in 1984. Raju also choreographed songs for Tollywood legend N T Rama Rao.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> India / TNN / August 01st, 2014

Officer reviews museum works

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Deputy Director of Museums K. Sai Bhakta Kesava on Monday visited the Victoria Jubilee Museum on M.G. Road and reviewed the ongoing works.

He inspected the museum premises and took stock of the works that are taken up to refurbish the edifice. He also reviewed the security measures to be taken for the protection of rare artefacts and paintings.

Mr. Kesava enquired about the works that were commenced recently for the construction of the coastal museum.

Archaeological Department Assistant Director K. Chittibabu explained to him about the steps taken for translocation of three trees to pave way for 1,500 square yards space for constructing the museum.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada /  August 05th, 2014