Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

I make sure to cook for the entire family on Eid: Aditi Rao Hydari

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

It is that time of the year when the smell of biryani, korma and seviyan fills the air.

“If I am in Hyderabad during Eid, I make sure to cook for the entire family living in the city,” says Aditi Rao Hydari, who traces her ancestry to two royal families of Hyderabad–namely Muhammed Saleh Akbar Hydari and J Rameshwar Rao of erstwhile Raja of Wanaparthy family.

Who: Aditi Rao Hydari
What: On Eid, Acting, Fitness

Aditi-Rao-HydariHF19aug2013

The actress who grew up in a multi-cultural environment talks about Eid in Hyderabad, acting and why dancing is a passion.

Hyderabad Hues
Be it any festival, we as a family celebrate it. We all meet and join in the revelry. As for Eid, there is a stream of guests and relatives at our home. As kids, we would receive money and gifts as ‘eidi’. Now, I give eidi to the young ones in the family. At home, we cook delicacies like sheer kurma, biryani, haleem, salli boti and the special Hyderabadi biryani. Recently I visited the the streets of Mumbai during Ramzan. I enjoyed the nalli nihari (mutton dish), chicken and mutton kebabs and firni. Thankfully, I have an appetite of a sparrow. So it doesn’t show on my figure.

In the orbit of fame
Since childhood, I was told that I would be an actress because of my good looks. Though I would pretend not to understand, it was a secret desire that i would grow up to be one. The fact that I was a good singer and dancer helped fuel my ambition. I had started learning Bharatanatyam since I was six and became a disciple of Leela Samson. My dream came true when I made a debut in a Malayalam film opposite the legendary Mammootty. In 2007, I played the role of devadasi in a Tamil film. I got that film when the director of the film Sharada Ramanathan saw me perform at a conference. After that things started falling in place. Movies like Delhi 6, Yeh Saali Zindagi, London Paris New York and Murder 3 came my way.

Dancing and friends
I keep myself fit by dancing and practising yoga. By God’s grace, I have a high metabolism level which keeps my weight in check. When I am not shooting, I spend time with my family and friends. I don’t have many friends in the industry, my friends are from my childhood days.

Bollywood’s warm welcome
I am an outsider in Bollywood with no connections whatsoever. But the industry accepted me with open arms. It is one’s talent that is recognised here. I feeI truly blessed to be the part of the industry. An actor’s most valuable asset are his/her fans. I believe in satisfying them with my performances. It’s their love and appreciation that I yearn for as an actor.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / Mid-Day / Home> Entertainment / by Nilesh Rao /Mumbai – August 09th, 2013

Kursura submarine museum turns 11

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence
Picture for representational purposes only.
Picture for representational purposes only.
Visakhapatnam: 
Kursura Submarine Museum, one of the significant landmarks in the tourism circuit in Visakhapatnam and located on the Beach Road, will be celebrating its 11th anniversary on Friday.
The first of its kind in the whole south Asia, the INS Kursura Submarine is a Soviet built-I-641 class submarine and was inducted into the Indian Navy on Dec 18, 1969, and the same was decommissioned on Feb 27, 2001 after 31 years of glorious service to the nation.
During her ferocious and victorious service, the submarine traversed 73,500 nautical miles participating in almost all types of naval operations.
She played a vital role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. She was the pioneer submarine extending goodwill and harmony through her visits and flag-showing missions to other nations.
The submarine is the fourth among the first generation submarines inducted in to the Indian Navy.
After decommissioning from services, the complete submarine, including the weapon package was hauled-up from sea to land and positioned on a concrete foundation at Ramakrishna Beach Road.
For setting-up the Submarine Museum, Rs 6 crore was spent in technical association with Naval-ship Design and Research Center.
The length of submarine is 91.3 meters, while the breadth is 8 mts. Kursura submarine Museum is the only Submarine Museum in India.
The Indian Navy is proposing to add another submarine museum by setting up the INS Vela, the first among the second generation submarine decommissioned on Jan. 25, 2010, between Chennai and Mamallapuram in Tamilnadu.
The state government issued GO Ms. No. 88 in 2002 ordering transfer of the entire submarine museum with the surrounding areas developed for the museum, including the food courts and open areas to Vuda for the up-keep and maintenance and throw it open to the public for display and entertainment.
The Kursura Submarine Museum was dedicated to the nation on Aug. 9, 2002 by the then chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / Visakhapatnam – August 09th, 2013

Literary news

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Calling for entries for the Srinivas Rayaprol Poetry Prize

Instituted by the Srinivas Rayaprol Literary Trust to recognise excellence in poetry written in English, the prize is administered jointly by the Department of English, University of Hyderabad.

The prize, consisting of a cash award of Rs.10,000 and a citation will be presented at a literary event in Hyderabad in October 2013.

The entries will be judged by a distinguished jury of poets and literary personalities. Entries are invited from Indian citizens between 20-40 years. Deadline: August 31, 2013

The entries must include: Three different, unpublished poems written by the applicant;

Evidence of age and complete contact information.

Poems submitted must not have names of the poet on them.

Send entries to:

Dr. Aparna Rayaprol, Convener, Srinivas Rayaprol Poetry Prize, Director, Study in India Programme, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad AP 500046 or e-mail: rayaproltrust@gmail.com

 

Shortlist for 2014 Neustadt International Prize for Literature

The shortlist of nominees for the 2014 Neustadt International Prize for Literature is out. The list includes César Aira, Mia Couto, Duong Thu Huong, Edward P. Jones, Ilya Kaminsky, Chang-rae Lee, Edouard Maunick, Haruki Murakami, and Ghassan Zaqtan.

For the first time ever, authors have been nominated from Mauritius, Mozambique, Palestine and Ukraine. Additionally, Jones is the first male African American writer to be nominated in the 44-year history of the prize.

The winner will be announced on November 1 and will receive $50,000, a replica of an eagle feather cast in silver, and a certificate of recognition.

For more information on the Neustadt Prize and the fall 2013 festival, visit www.neustadtprize.org

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Books / Hyderabad, August 03rd, 2013

Photo contest results announced, exhibition from Aug 12

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Allahabad :

Eminent photographer V Srinivas Chary (Karimnagar, AP), received the first KG Maheshwari award of the 9{+t}{+h} All India Laxmi Salon contest, 2013, organised by the Sri GangaKalyanSewaSamiti. The winners of the national photo contest were announced here on Wednesday. Chary won the award for his photograph titled ‘Shy Bonda Girls’.

The awards for winners in five categories were decided from among 964 entries received. The award winning photographs will be exhibited in a two-day photo exhibition to be inaugurated on August 12, informed president of the organisation Ravi Prakash and secretary Jitendra Prakash.

In the Monochrome Print category the first prize went to Alok Avinash (Purulia) for his entry titled ‘Morning Raga’. The runners up were Pati Nagu (Kakinada, AP) for ‘Smiling Face’ and KG Maheshwari (Mumbai) for ‘Contemplative’.

Photographers selected for certificate of merit were Manab Kumar Nandy (Kolkata) for ‘Nocturnal Glow’, Alok Avinash (Purulia) for ‘Swanery’ and RV Sharma (Kanigiri, AP) for ‘Happy Mood’.

Winners in other categories are: Color Print: 1. Dr Suwarna R Gawde (Mumbai) ‘Shephard Girl’, Sitanath Paul (Chinsurah) ‘Steps’ and Partha Pratim Chakraborty (Kolkata) ‘Composition’. Certificate of merit: CVS Vijaya Bhaskara Rao (Vijayawada, AP) ‘Smile’, Waje Rajesh Shantaram (Pune) ‘Sejal’ and Kalyan Bhattacharyya (Chinsurah) for ‘Not Alone’.

Nature Print: Sandipan Saha (Kolkata), Bibhuti Bhushan Nandi (Coochbehar, WB) for ‘Frog Duo’ and RK Madhu (Karnataka) for ‘Paradise Fly Catcher With Young Ones’. Certificate Of Merit: Partha Pratim Chakraborty (Kolkata) ‘Beauty Of Beast’, RK Madhu (Karnataka) ‘Indian Dhole with Kill’ and Shibu Bhusan Das (Kolkata) for ‘Light And Shadow’.

Photo Travel Print: 1 CVS Vijaya Bhaskara Rao (Vijayawada, AP) ‘Bull Fight’, Hussain Khan (Khammam, AP) ‘Speed Boat’ and, JP Sharma (Lucknow) ‘Sport In Snow’. Certificate Of Merit: Writwik Chakraborty (Nadia, WB) ‘Naga Dance’, Rakesh Sharma ‘Rajdeep’ (Udaipur) ‘Dancing Event’ and Dipankar Ghosh (Howrah) for ‘Dreadful Khumbu’.

Photo Journalism Print: 1 CVS Vijaya Bhaskara Rao (Vijayawada, AP) ‘Skid’, Subrata Bysack (Kolkata) ‘Rescue Operation’, Deepak Bartakke (Mumbai) ‘Shobha Yatra’. CertificateOf Merit: Dipankar Ghosh (Howrah) ‘Descend’, T Srinivasa Reddy (Vijayawada, AP) ‘Equality’ and CVS Vijaya Bhaskara Rao (Vijayawada, AP) ‘Jellikattu’.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad  by TNN / August 01st, 2013

Andhra Pradesh Child Welfare Committee bags award

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All

Hyderabad : 

Warangal Child Welfare Committee (CWC) was adjudged the best CWC in south India during a two-day conference held to assess the best practices being adopted by these committees in Hubli, Karnataka by Sathi, a non governmental organization in collaboration with Jamshedji Tata Trust. The award was presented on July 31.

Total 17 CWCs had participated in the programme from four states including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Maharashtra. Warangal CWC with its 21 best practices and the exemplary work done towards eliminating child labour ended up bagging the first prize.

The committee during its two-and-a-half-year tenure has rescued more than 278 children and ensured that the 109 child labourers rescued get a compensation of Rs 4,29,500 from their employers . Dr Mamatha Raghuveer, chairperson of CWC, Warangal, said, “Juvenile justice board has got more powers than CWC but still we could get justice to several children. In Warangal, every Wednesday drives are being taken up to rescue child labourers and street children.”

CWC, Warangal has done extraordinary work in stopping 68 child marriages, bringing down corporal punishment cases, streamlining adoption process, filing petitions against police who have chained children in police stations and successfully rehabilitating abused children. Also, seven children sold illegally by parents for money were handed over to their biological parents after counseling.

This is the first such award for Andhra Pradesh. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 15,000 and the prize money is supposed to be used for the benefit of children.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad> Street Children / by Bushra Baseerat, TNN / August 01st, 2013

More of Hyderabad at Lakme Fashion Week

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

LakmeHF11aug2013

 Four City designers are all set to wow the audience at Lakme Fashion Week with their weaves.

Hyderabad:

Last year, Gaur­ang Shah took his weaves to Lakme Fashion Week. Actor Kiran Kher was seen walking the ramp with him. Thereafter, whenever she wore a Gaurang Shah, it was marked easily. From a shopkeeper to a designer participating in Lakme Fashion Week, and now a recognised brand — Gaurang’s is quite a story.

Joining him this year are well-known City designers Shravan Kumar and Shilpa Reddy, who will be making the debut. Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festival 2013 (August 23-27) will see more from Hyderabad than ever befo­re. There are four participants from Hyderabad — Anushree Reddy, Gaurang Shah, Shilpa Reddy and Shravan Ku­m­ar.

Although from Hyderabad, each of them has a unique signature style which the organisers of LFW are looking forward to. Gaurang and Shravan’s weaves are said to be extremely popular with buyers at LFW.

Hyderabad is far ahead than even Bangalore, standing fourth in terms of applications sent. “Hyderabad off-late has been a designer market,” says Saket Dhankar, Head of Fashion of IMG Reliance (Partner, LFW). Hyderabad has been increasingly active in the applicant-participant-buyer chain, and in two years, it is likely to make bigger news. “I think, in two years, Hyderabad will be No. 2 for LFW after Delhi and Mumbai. It might overtake Kolkata. These designers produce good work, are featured well on LFW, and also do commercially well. Even stores like Kimaya, Elahe are very popular among buyers,” he added.

“It is in sync with development in the City, which is becoming more cosmopolitan by the day. People from all walks of life are contributing. Besides, among all cities, Hyderabad has a huge cultural heritage, leaving us many undiscovered silhouettes, embroidery and architecture to draw inspiration from. I think the timing is just right,” says Shilpa Reddy on Hyderabad’s progress in fashion at a national level.

Shilpa, who established her flagship store in Hyderabad last year, has been invited to display on main stage arena. “I didn’t apply. They said I had a strong profile. I had no idea my work was being followed. LFW was not my plan for the next two years.” However, she is relieved she will have close friends like Shravan and Anushree. “I am going to feel at home there”.

Not able to disclose details, she told us this display, being her debut, will be dramatic. “It is scary but exciting. I want people to stop in awe and wonder about it. But I am prepared for criticism also,” she says excitedly.

source: http://www.postnoon.com / PostNoon / Home> City / by Kanchan Agarwal / July 31st, 2013

It’s flavour Hyderabad for It’s fashion

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

From winning the Gladrags Mrs Indian title in 2004 to writing fitness columns and her foray into designing clothes, Shilpa Reddy is a woman of many talents. The model turned fashion designer will be showcasing her new collection at the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive (LFW) 2013 for the very first time. Her collection which is inspired by the empowered women is different from her previous designs. “The collection is very different from what I have done till now. It is very strong and has a lot of structure to it. We are incorporating the elements of a woman who is fierce as well as nurturing, caring and loving,” says Shilpa Reddy.

Well constructed and structured combined with fabrics which are fluid, flowy and feminine comprise the collection. “We have used silhouettes which are out of the box,” explains Shilpa. The collection which promises a country-centric theme includes Indian clothes with a festive look in bright hues with lots of embroidery in gold.

The designer admits LFW happened sooner than she had expected. “I was confident that LFW will happen eventually but not so soon. But then Lakme felt I had  a good profile and a strong portfolio behind me so I thought might as well showcase my collection this season,”explains Shilpa who will exhibit her collection at the main showcase arena. Shilpa Reddy is one of the four designers from the city who will participate at LFW. “The fact that four designers will represent Hyderabad at LFW itself says that Hyderabadi fashion is evolving at a good pace. There is a boom of fashion designers in the city now,” adds Shilpa.

One must-have this season for a woman’s wardrobe according to the designer is a jacket. “A well-fitted jacket is a must have in the wardrobe as it can transform anything you wear whether it’s a sari or a simple dress. It makes the whole outfit look glamorous, modern and stylish.” When asked about advice for aspiring fashion designers, she says, “When people are able to identify the designer just by looking at his or her designs, that means you have won the battle.”

Another designer who will be making his debut at the LFW is Shravan Kumar who is no stranger to the arena. The designer who has been in the fashion circuit for over 20 years now will showcase his collection which takes traditional handlooms to the next level. “The collection will showcase an Indo-Russian look with cropped jackets, handprints over khadi, silver Banarasi zaris. It is all about Indian textiles,” says Shravan. The designer is also known to encourage artisans and weavers of AP through a society which provides employment opportunities to widows and weavers in the village of Allavaram.

Shravan also feels strongly about research and development. “Every motif, every design is well researched, down to the last detail,” says Shravan who is currently working on his India International Jewellery Week collection. “The collection is titled ‘Voyage of Saklara’ inspired by the  Deccan plateau where both genders wear jewellery.”

The Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2013 will be held from August 23 to 27 in Mumbai.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Kota Saumya / ENS – Hyderabad / August 01st, 2013

A man of many roles

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All
Javeed Khan, a multi-tasker, who works as a Home Guard, auto driver and Haleem server. He does all this just to earn enough to give a decent education to his four children. / Photo: Mohammed Yousuf / The Hindu
Javeed Khan, a multi-tasker, who works as a Home Guard, auto driver and Haleem server. He does all this just to earn enough to give a decent education to his four children. / Photo: Mohammed Yousuf / The Hindu

A traffic cop, an auto driver and a haleem supplier all rolled into one, Javeed Khan slogs most part of the day to give a decent education to his four children

Cop by day, auto driver in the afternoon and haleem supplier by night. That’s Javeed Khan for you. A multitasker, Khan dons many hats – all to keep the wolf away. He slogs most part of the day and night just to give a decent education to his four children.

A Home Guard bearing number 3024, Khan is attached to the Saifabad traffic police station. Like all Home Guards he gets paid a pittance of Rs. 200 a day. There is no weekly off, no medical facility – nothing. No work no pay – that’s the rule. The monthly earnings are hardly sufficient to run the house, forget educating children. But Khan and his wife are determined to give their children a good education no matter how much they have to struggle. So Khan has decided to sweat it out. He can be found regulating traffic at the Iqbal Minar in Saifabad from 8 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Thereafter, he drives an auto till late in the night. And during Ramzan he has been working at a haleem joint at Patharghatti. “I earn Rs. 200 per day serving haleem. After Ramzan, I will go back to driving auto which fetches me an equal amount after paying the auto rent and meeting the petrol charges,” says Khan.

THOUGH HE HAS STUDIED UP TO INTERMEDIATE, HE WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO BE WELL EDUCATED. YET, PAYING THE COLLEGE FEE OF HIS DAUGHTER WHICH COMES TO RS. 18,000 PER ANNUM HAS BECOME A TASK. IT IS HIS ARDENT WISH TO GET REGULARISED IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE HE IS WORKING SINCE 2000. “NOW I AM 41 AND NOT ELIGIBLE TO WRITE THE EXAM,” HE RUES.

KHAN IS ALL PRAISE FOR HIS FORMER BOSS AND ADDITIONAL COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (TRAFFIC) C.V. ANAND FOR PROVIDING MASKS, GOGGLES, REFLECTING JACKETS AND KIT BAGS TO TRAFFIC COPS. FOR YOU, WITH YOU – ALWAYS. HOPE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ABIDES BY ITS OWN ASSERTION AT LEAST IN THE CASE OF ITS WORKFORCE.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by  J.S. Ifthekhar / Hyderabad – August 08th, 2013

Social structure decoded

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Leaders, Records, All
Professor Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, vice chancellor of UoH and Dr C H Hanumantha Rao, chancellor (left) of UoH in conversation with awardees Dr Kalpana Kannabiran and Prof Vamsi Vakulabharanam. | EPS
Professor Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, vice chancellor of UoH and Dr C H Hanumantha Rao, chancellor (left) of UoH in conversation with awardees Dr Kalpana Kannabiran and Prof Vamsi Vakulabharanam. | EPS

At a time when the parameters of justice are being questioned by the masses and the marginalised assert their identity, the symptomatic study of Indian society is a revelation.

Felicitated with the first Amartya Sen Award instituted by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), sociologist Dr Kalpana Kannabiran and economist Dr Vamsi Vakulabharanam presented their perspectives at the University of Hyderabad (UoH).

Hailing from the city, both were chosen along with four others across the country for the prestigious award. During a felicitation ceremony organised by UoH, Dr Kalpana Kannabiran spoke about understanding structural violence, the social foundations of non discrimination, and questions of constitutionalism and social justice in India. She was awarded in recognition of her study in the field of sociology of justice, especially in the context of gender and of the marginalised.

“The vast available literature across social sciences focuses on inequality without making a mention of discrimination, which is an active obstruction from attainment of equality,” said the director of Council for Social Development and co-founder of Asmita Resource Centre for Women.

A former sociology professor at NALSAR university of Law, she also pointed out the role of disability as providing foundation for discrimination.

She said that the disability mentioned in the constitution was social disability and not what it is today.

She also urged for debate on the concept of marital rape, which is not considered an offence under law and also questioned Andhra Pradesh (Telangana Areas) Eunuchs Act, 1919, which gives the power to arrest any man dressed in a women’s attire in public places.

In his address, Dr Vamsi Vakulabharanam, associate professor in School of Economics at UoH highlighted his research on inequality in the contemporary economies of India and China.

He shared his work on globalization and agrarian change in India with special reference to Telangana, and consumption and wealth inequality during the period of economic reforms.

He said capitalism sheds its institutional skin in this crisis prone system which every time comes out with a moulding process and grows a new structure

The award, carrying a citation and a cash award of `10 lakh each was presented earlier this year by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen at a ceremony in New Delhi on May 6.

Dr C H Hanumantha Rao, chancellor and Prof Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, vice-chancellor of UoH were present at the ceremony.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / July 31st, 2013

ISB launches fifth edition of iDiya, a social venture competition

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
Students participating in the launch of the fifth iDiya Challenge Social venture Competition at the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad on Friday. | Neeraj Murali
Students participating in the launch of the fifth iDiya Challenge Social venture Competition at the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad on Friday. | Neeraj Murali

The Indian School of Business (ISB) on Friday launched the fifth edition of iDiya – a social venture competition, which is an initiative by the prestigious school’s students. The annual competition, which is a national-level platform for budding entrepreneurs, promotes and funds innovative social venture ideas in India.

The social venture ideas might be in the areas of health, education, environment or women empowerment.

The chief guest, MN Rao, former MD and CEO of Tata Business Services Ltd, launched the registration process for the competition. He said that iDiya was a unique competition which would inspire aspiring  entrepreneurs to address social issues through their business models.

The participants will be judged on the basis of innovativeness of the idea, the social problem the idea is addressing and the sustainability of the business model.

Background of the participants will also be considered. 125 teams participated in the competition last year.

The registration fees for the competition is Rs 1000. The last date for applying to the competition, which is open to all working professionals and early-stage entrepreneurs, is September 15. The top 10 shortlisted teams will get to attend a boot camp in which industry experts will educate the teams on creating a sustainable business

model which will help the underprivileged section of society and how to benefit from their business models. The teams can also meet venture capitalists in the boot camp.

The winners of the competition will get a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh, runner-ups will get Rs. 1 lakh and there are cash prizes for further runner-ups also. Apart from this, 50 selected teams will get feedback on their business models from industry experts.

Abdul Lateef, winner of the 3rd iDiya competition, whose Mobile Science Lab promotes science education among students of 8-12 grade said,”ISB and iDiya provided me with the network which is helping my business and have also mentored our business model for the past two years.”

Sanju Kumar, founder of Kisan School which provides farmers with critical information using mobile phone technology, said,”Though I knew what to do, I got to know about how to present a business model and shape its plan after attending iDiya’s boot camp”.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / July 27th, 2013