Category Archives: Historical Links, Pre-Independence

A date with the glorious past

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
Archaeological Museum in Nizamabad: / Photo By K.V. RAMANA. / The Hindu
Archaeological Museum in Nizamabad: / Photo By K.V. RAMANA. / The Hindu

Nizamabad museum traces the evolution of civilisation

Although little known to people, the Nizamabad archaeological museum is one of the important museums in the State. Constructed in 1936 by VII Nizam as a Town Hall, this T-shaped heritage building was turned into a museum and thrown open to the public on October 24, 2001 during Indur Utsav celebrations.

It houses a number of artefacts and antiques representing the evolution of human civilisation right from Paleolithic to Vijayanagar times. The Museum is broadly divided into three sections namely archaeological, sculptural and bronze and decorative.

The archaeological section includes tools of Palaeolithic and late stone age (from 50,000 to 5000 BC), megalithic pottery and iron implements dating back to 1000 BC to 3rd Century BC, early historical cultural material of Satavahana times includes pottery, iron implements, beads, bangle pieces, terracotta and bricks.

Coins range from the punch to marked varieties (3rd century BC to British period). Gold coins of Vijayanagara period unearthed at Bodhan are on display. Chart showing evolution of Telugu script from 3rd Century BC to 16th Century AD is also preserved. A finely carved door jamb in red sand stone of Vijayanagar period is erected in front of museum.

Decorative section includes bronzes of Chalukyas to Vijayanagar times. Arms and armour including swords of different types, shields, chest plates, arrows belonging to Qutub Shahis and Asaf Jahis are on display. Zinc copper alloy of bidriware, shining silver, hukkahs, spittoons, flower vases, betel nut boxes are among the collection. Several kinds of weapons believed to be used by the Roman, Persian, Russian and Indian armies are also on display.

This museum located in the middle of the picturesque Tilak Garden is closed for repair works since three months. “As soon as we get permission we will start the works,” says K. Sudhakar, the museum in-charge.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by P. Ram Mohan / Nizamabad – March 29th, 2014

Folk artistes line up for SWEEP

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
Folk artist engaged by Election Commission to take up the SVEEP campaign giving a performance in Vijayawada on Wednesday./ Photo: Ch.Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
Folk artist engaged by Election Commission to take up the SVEEP campaign giving a performance in Vijayawada on Wednesday./ Photo: Ch.Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu

Their ancestors enthralled the famed kings and subjects of Vijayanagar Empire

“It is said that ‘history repeats itself’, and we are doing what our ancestors had done during the reign of the legendary king Krishnadevaraya.” These were the words from M. Sekhar Babu, a folk artiste, who is engaged by the district administration to spread the message of voting rights, as part of the SVEEP campaign (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation).

But all is not well for the artistes who have been entertaining the people since centuries. Giving performances has been their only source of income and they feel that the demand is dwindling with every passing year.

“We were once in heavy demand, as we were called to perform at marriages and birthday functions. But now we are confined mostly to the rural areas only. But the State government departments – be it the election commission or APSACS or NACO — still hire us and that is our staple diet,” said Mr. Sekhar.

Sekhar Babu who heads a three-member team along with his son M. Prasanth Kumar is one among the four teams engaged by the administration to tour the district and spread the message through street plays, Burrakatha and Yakshagana.

According to Sekhar Babu, they are the descendants of the folk artistes who once enthralled the famed kings and subjects of Vijayanagar Empire in the 16th century.

Settled in Gudivada

“About 1,000 families moved out after the empire fell to the Deccan Sultanates in the 17 century. We first moved to the Telangana region and then about 100 years ago about 40 families moved to Eluru in West Godavari. And now about 10 families have settled down in and around Gudivada in Krishna district,” he said.

Though time has flown by, these families, who have been safe guarding the art of mesmerising the crowd with their witty plays and songs, have not changed much.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Sumit Bhattacharjee / Vijayawada – April 10th, 2014

An old institution craves for attention

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

Call for national status to Gowthami Regional Library

Sri Gowthami Regional Library (SGRL) has the oldest and rarest collection of books between the 1805 and 1898. It also boasts unpublished manuscripts.

The government took over the library in 1979 and renamed it as Sri Gowthami Regional Library.

The name Sri Gowthami Regional Library, popularly known s ‘Gowthami’, adjoins the Palm leaf manuscripts since its inception. At present, the library has more than 400 manuscripts of ‘Colonel McKenzie’ describing East and West Godavari Districts. These manuscripts are in three volumes. ‘Tamara Sasanalu’, meaning copper plates (from the 13th and 14th centuries), are also available in the library. An interesting facet of the library is its possession of the first Britannica Encyclopedia of the year 1771.

As of now, the library has more than 1,500 rare books published before 1900 and around 8,115 books published prior to 1923 and 5,000 published up to 1950. In all, more than 15,000 rare books find place in the collections. Magazines and periodicals like Bharathi, Chintamani, Vivekavardhini, Andhri and Krishna Patrika are oldest periodicals that are housed in the library.

Though Union Minister for Human Resources Development M.M. Pallam Raju hails from the district, the library is yet to get national status. “We got national status for the Telugu language after making tireless efforts. For getting the same status for this library also, we have to struggle in residual state of Andhra Pradesh,” says Sannidhanam Narasimha Sarma, who worked as librarian.

V.S. Suryanarayana Murthy, the current gazetted librarian, modernised the only big government library in coastal region in keeping with the advancement in Information Technology. It has now around 16 computers with scanner and Printers.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by B.V.S. Bhaskar / Rajkahmundry – April 04th, 2014

Odias celebrate Utkal Divas

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

Visakhapatnam :

The Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj, a socio-cultural organization of people from Odisha, organized Utkal Divas celebrations here on Tuesday on the occasion of the 79th formation day of Odisha.

Portraits of freedom fighters Utkalmani Gopabandhu Dash and Utkal Gauraba Madhusudan Dash were garlanded. Both Gopabandhu and Madhusudan fought against the British to achieve freedom, said vice- president of the samaj Arun Das. Odisha was the first state to be carved out in India on the basis of language, according to a press release issued by the samaj.

As part of the celebrations, an Odia food festival was inaugurated by J K Nayak, president of the samaj. Exclusive Odia delicacies like sijha manda, chana manda, karkara, gulgula, poda pitha, chhena poda and others were on offer for the foodies. A cultural programme was also arranged in which dance and drama shows were performed by Mamini Kala Parishad from Cuttack.

Commissioner of customs, Visakhapatnam, C Rajendiran and chairman and managing director of the Dredging Corporation of India Limited Captain D K Mohanty were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / April 02nd, 2014

Auction halls survive digital age

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

The Taluk Office Street in Gandhinagar is dotted with quite a few auction halls, which offer dining tables, wardrobes, cots, office tables, etc

In this digital age, when things are bought and sold at the click of a mouse over Internet, Gandhinagar in Vijayawada is still preferred by many to buy or sell pre-owned furniture.

The Taluk Office Street in Gandhinagar is dotted with quite a few auction halls, which offer dining tables, wardrobes, cots, office tables, etc but not through the traditional way of auctions.

Generally, employees, who get transferred to other places or those who arrive in the city, visit these halls for furniture. Businessmen, who plan to set up new store or those, who wish to discard old furniture zero in on auction halls, explains A. Anil Kumar of Sri Saikrishna Auction Hall.

People walk into the outlets and check out for the desired dining table or cot and if they are convinced of the quality and price, a deal is struck, of course after a lot of bargaining. No guarantee is extended on the products, he adds.

But why are these outlets called auction halls? A few years ago, outlet owners used to conduct auctions every Sunday at 5 p.m. in their respective outlet premises. When two or more customers desire for a particular product, then an auction was conducted and the one, who bids the higher price used to get it, replies T. Purna of Sri Srinivasa Auction Hall.

With the government insisting on licences to conduct auctions, the practice was done away. But that has not stopped people from coming to the area, though the number is declining over the years for different reasons.

With showrooms offering EMI options, most people from middle income groups are opting to buy furniture from them. People from low income groups still visit these outlets as they are confident of getting quality products at affordable prices, he says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by S. Sandeep Kumar / Vijayawada – April 08th, 2014

Eight acclaimed literary works set to see light

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, World Opinion
The cover page of the commentary on Sri Krishna Devaraya’s work ‘Amuktamalyada’, brought out by SVU Oriental Research Institute, which is ready for release./ The Hindu
The cover page of the commentary on Sri Krishna Devaraya’s work ‘Amuktamalyada’, brought out by SVU Oriental Research Institute, which is ready for release./ The Hindu

SVU Vice-Chancellor and others to release the books today

Exactly 15 months after the government gave nod to its publication at the 4th World Telugu Conference in Tirupati, the eight acclaimed literary works are set to see light.

It was with great pomp that the mammoth literary carnival was held in the temple city, where ambitious measures were announced by the government to promote Telugu not only in the literary realms, but also in official communication.

As part of this, the Department of Culture gave the Herculean task of publishing eight works to Sri Venkateswara University’s Oriental Research Institute (ORI).

“It was a prestigious offer and we did our best to make them attractive,” ORI director V. Venkataramana Reddy says with a grin.

‘Amuktamalyada’ authored by Sri Krishnadevaraya, emperor of Vijayanagara dynasty, is a mesmerising literary masterpiece on which there are two commentaries viz., ‘Thatparya Bodhini Vyakhya’ by Gudipati Venkata Kavi and ‘Mahateeka’ by Gattupalli Srinivasa Kavi.

The other publications ready for release are ‘Nrusimha Puranam’ by Kotikalapudi Kodandarama Kavi, ‘Pattabhirama Vilasam’ by Panditharadhya Nagalinga Kavi, ‘Narapingala Sakuna Sastram’ by Appana Siddhanti, ‘Kalyanaraja Charitramu’ by Krishtipati Venkatasubba Kavi, ‘Goulisastra Vishayamu’ by N.S. Sundareswara Rao and ‘Bhanu Kalyanamu’ by Chandrasekhara Kavi.

Though the books were very much ready for publishing some six months ago, the delay in release has been attributed to the Samaikyandhra agitation.

SVU vice-chancellor W. Rajendra, rector M.A.K. Sukumar and registrar K. Satyavelu Reddy will release the books after Ugadi celebrations to be held on the campus on Monday.

What can be a better occasion than the Telugu New Year’s day to release the literary gems!

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Tirupati – March 31st, 2014

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Tirupati – March 31st, 2014

Dutch building to be made into tourist attraction

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, World Opinion
Dutch building, one of the heritage structure in Srikakulam is going to be made tourist attraction. / Photo: BASHEER / The Hindu
Dutch building, one of the heritage structure in Srikakulam is going to be made tourist attraction. / Photo: BASHEER / The Hindu

The elegant building was constructed about 300 years ago on the banks of the Nagavali

A Dutch building near Srikakulam Collectorate is being converted into a tourist attraction, thanks to the initiative of heritage lovers who had asked the district administration to allocate funds for its renovation. Around Rs.20 lakh will be spent for the protection of the monument. Srikakulam Collector Saurabh Gaur directed officials a few days ago to protect the monument and take suggestions from archaeological experts while renovating the structure.

The elegant building was constructed about 300 years ago on the banks of the Nagavali. Though a major portion of the building collapsed, the remaining structure reminds the viewers about the European’s dominance in semi-urban areas too in those days.

According to historians, the Dutch had a brief stay in India like the French and Portuguese. They established trading stations in several parts of Andhra Pradesh, apart from Malabar on the East Coast. Some remains of Dutch settlements can be found in Bhimili also. Though the exact history of the Dutch building of Srikakulam is not available, officials believe that the Dutch businessmen could have constructed the structure for trading and collection of taxes since many of them used to travel to Odisha via Srikakulam town.

Walls intact

The existing structure could have been used as a guesthouse too as many Dutch officials used to come to Srikakulam from Kalingapatnam port, which is some 20 km away from here. Though the roof of the structure has collapsed long ago, the walls and other structures remain intact till now.

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage has formulated proposals for restoration of the building. Convener of INTACH Dusi Dharmana Rao said that the restoration work should be taken without destroying the original beauty of the Dutch building. Interestingly, the existing Collector’s camp office was also constructed by Dutch rulers. However, a major portion was renovated while protecting a few structures.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Srikakulam – March 24th, 2014

Mughal Emperors eyes medical tourists from Iraq

Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

The company is promoted by Yakub Habeebudin Tucy, the great grandson of last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Hyderabad-based Mughal Emperors Logistics Private Ltd is reaching out to Iraqi nationals interested in medical tourism in India.

The company, which is promoted by Yakub Habeebudin Tucy, the great grandson of last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, said it was also looking at Jordan and Palestine.

According to Tucy, the potential medical tourists from Iraq toIndia is 800-900 every year. While a less severe medical therapy costs around Rs 60,000 in Iraq, in India it costs Rs 15,000-20,000. The cities mostly preferred for therapies are Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.

On average, a medical tourist from Iraq stays for 20-25 days in India, while in some cases it’s around 60 days.

On the total Indians visiting Iraq annually, Tucy said more than 16,000 visit places of religious interest including the shrines of Abdul Qadir Gilani in Baghdad, Imam Hussain in Karbala and Imam Aliin Najaf. Some Indians also throng the ruins of Babylonia on the River Tigris.

Mughal Logistics is ferrying a batch comprising 100-120 individuals every two months to these holyplaces for the Muslim community.

It runs a seven and eight-day package for Indians travelling to Iraq, priced at Rs 65,000 and Rs 75,000 respectively.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by BS Reporter / Hyderabad – March 05th, 2014

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH : Tucked away amid the hills

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence
A view of Sriramnagar near Gajuwaka in Visakhapatnam./ Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
A view of Sriramnagar near Gajuwaka in Visakhapatnam./ Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Sriramnagar near Gajuwaka is home to about 2,000 families

Once the breadwinners head out to their places of work and children to schools, life moves at a snail’s pace at Sriramnagar.

The colony, located near Gajuwaka, which stretches from Vadlapudi railway track to 100-ft. road near GVMC Zonal Office, seems to have a life of its own.

Surrounded by hills and temples of Lord Siva and goddesses Pydithalli, Nookalamma, and Kanaka Durga Devi, apart from a church, the colony is now home to 2,000 families living in absolute harmony. Several apartment blocks are coming up and the independent houses in the area look pretty old.

Area history

The history of the area dates back to 1980. Daily labourers of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant made the hill area their dwelling place, putting together thatched houses. After a couple of years, the land was regularised by the government in a phased manner. However, the colony sprang to life much later when housing loans were made available to its residents.

Initially, the apartment culture was new to the colony. It was in 2007 that the first apartment block, Swarna Plaza, came into existence. Though the Sriramnagar Yuvajana Seva Sangham addresses the colony issues, the neighbourhood yearns for better maintenance.

“A few cement concrete (CC) roads were laid when the colony was under the Gajuwaka Municipality. Once it merged with the GVMC, there was no sign of progress in the area. Municipal water pipes and foundation stone for new CC roads were laid very recently,” says Pappu Sankara Rao, president of the sangham.

Colony residents say the weekly market caters to their kitchen requirement and that children spend time either watching television or reading books.

“With a majority of women in the colony being homemakers, the only way we keep ourselves occupied is through spiritual activities or catching up with the neighbours or viewing favourite TV channels,” says M. Kousalya.

With good spacing provided between houses, the residents enjoy natural light and breeze in abundance. And with each window of the apartment opening out to a magnificent view of the hills, the place seems to be apt for those who wish to lead a calm and peaceful life.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / Neighbourhood Watch / by Rani Devalla / Visakhapatnam – February 28th, 2014

Nizam’s Erstwhile Relic, Telangana’s Pride?

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

Nizam’s Lost Glory ?

Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar is on the test drive of John MorrisFire Engine, one of the priceless possessions of Indian Railways maintained at the National Rail Museum, before its participation in the 38th Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally to be held in New Delhi on 2nd March, 2014.

NizamsVintageHF13mar2014

This vintage FireEngine which was built by the famous Fire engineers M/S John Morris and Sons Ltd., Salfor, Manchester in 1914, completed 100 years of its existence this year (2014), coinciding the formation of Telangana, erstwhile Nizam’s state.

Will  Telangana also fight for its vintage and priceless proud possession, now that the new state is born?

(PIB)

source: http://www.microfinancemonitor.com / MF Monitor / Home / Thursday – March 13th, 2014