Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Siva fest celebrated at Vemulawada

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Siva Kalyanotsavam, the marriage of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati was performed as a part of the annual Brahmotsavam at the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple in Vemulawada on Saturday.

Hundreds of devotees thronged the temple which reverberated with the vedic chants of priests as devotees offered their akshintalu, rice mixed with vermilion and turmeric, to the deities.

Vemulawada panchayat commissioner Venumadhav offered silk clothes to the deities on the occasion of the wedding.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Services – Karimnagar / March 31st, 2013

CD of tele-film on environment released

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
Vijay Kumar of Vijay Nirman releasing a CD of a telefilm 'Kotta Bichchagadu' on environment produced by Mokkala Mohan at a function in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. / Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Vijay Kumar of Vijay Nirman releasing a CD of a telefilm ‘Kotta Bichchagadu’ on environment produced by Mokkala Mohan at a function in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. / Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

The release of the compact disc of a tele-film on the importance of planting saplings to save the environment brought out by Ch.R.K. Mohan, popularly known as ‘Mokkala’ Mohan, provided a platform to speakers to stress the importance of safeguarding trees. CMD of Vijay Nirman Company Limited S. Vijay Kumar released the 40-minute CD “Kotta Bichhagadu” at Visakhapatnam Public Library on Sunday evening. Not only trees should be saved but the next generation should also be made aware of its responsibility, he said.

A professor of Environment Science of Andhra University, E.U.B. Reddy, described plants as carbon lockers and oxygen cylinders.

MD of Sukhibhava Real Estates G.S. Krishna Murthy presented Rs. 15,000 to help Mr. Mohan make another film on environment.

Actor “Kallu” Chidambaram, who presided, lauded the sustained efforts of Mohan to promote green cause. Besides him, 39 artistes from the city acted in it.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Acharya Nagarjuna University V. Balamohandas complimented Mohan, a recipient of Vrukshamitra Kannam Srinivasa Rao award, for spreading awareness by presenting saplings instead of bouquets. He described worshipping Lord Vinayaka as an introduction with nature. Scholar Vedula Subrahmanya Sastry detailed the affinity for ages between life in the country and nature. Even the meal contained several natural ingredients derived from various plants. Joint Chief Engineer of AP Pollution Control Board K.V. Rao spoke on the various activities carried out to spread awareness on the perils of pollution.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Staff Reporter / April 01st, 2013

Nuzvid ‘chinna rasaalu’ flooding the market in Vijayawada

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nature
Enticing:Chinna Rasalu being sold in Vijayawada.— PHOTO: V. RAJU / The Hindu
Enticing:Chinna Rasalu being sold in Vijayawada.— PHOTO: V. RAJU / The Hindu

With harvesting of Nuzvid ‘chinna rasaalu’, a mango variety, starting this week, the fruit has begun to arrive in the city. Barely two-days after the summer fruits’ arrival in the market, people scurried to get a taste of the fruit despite the skyrocketing prices. Tempted after spotting the yellow fruit on their way home, many of the people are found skipping their traditional obligation of waiting till Ugadi to taste mango. “Seeing the Nuzvid Rasaalu on the busy road junctions is something exciting. We are also fortunate to get this variety of rasaalu, for which people across the State and parts of India are crazy,” said a Bengali Jayanthi Karki, who settled down in Vijayawada. Farmers and petty fruit vendors believe that early flowering of rasaalu variety was the reason for their early ripening.

Besides the local vendors, many others are coming to the city all the way from Nuzvid, Railway Koduru, Agiripalli, Nunna and few parts in Nuzvid mandal. Instead of depending on local fruit market, G. Saikumar, who belongs to Agiripalli village in Nuzvid mandal, purchased bags of rasaalu at Nuzvid and transported them to the city for sale. “As the demand from public is unprecedented, many seasonal fruit vendors like me have come down to Vijayawada expecting good returns. Chances of the prices coming down are very less till other mango varieties arrive in the market,” said Mr. Siva Kumar.

Price

Based on the size of the fruit, the price of chinna rasalu is ranging between Rs. 200 and Rs. 400 a dozen. Largely, the fruit vendors are tapping the seasonal demand from the public by making availability of the mangos on footpaths and busy junctions in the city. However there is no chance for customers to choose as only ‘chinna rasaalu’ are available in the market.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by T. Appala Naidu / Vijayawada, March 25th, 2013

NATA Investment Seminar

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nri's / Pio's

NATA Workshop Promotes Financial Investing and Retirement Planning Seminar

Atlanta (March 23, 2013):

North American Telugu Association (NATA) organized a free workshop on Financial Investing and Retirement Planning on March 23rd in Alpharetta, GA. In the spirit of looking ahead, NATA leaders Dr Prem Reddy and Dr Malla Reddy and President Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy and other leaders, felt it prudent to facilitate discussions on these important areas to all members of our Indian community.

The audience of over 150 people from various walks of life gathered at the “Taste of India” banquet hall in Alpharetta by 6 PM, to be greeted with melodious music and soothing melodies from Venkat Chennubhotla & Bhanusri Vavilikolanu. The social hour that followed, helped the audience to interact with each other and network actively. The mood was upbeat and the spirits high as the tone was set for an open and informative discussion on the key areas of investing and asset planning.

NATA RVP Ravi Kandimalla welcomed the gathering and talked about NATA organisation, NATA leadership of Dr. Prem Reddy, Dr Pailla Malla Reddy, President Dr Sanjeev Reddy and the activities taken up by NATA in service of Telugu community in US and India. He requested everyone to join as NATA members and support the high ideals and lofty goals of NATA. Srini Vangimalla, NATA 2014 Convention Coordinator introduced the first guest speaker, Rajesh Jyotishi from Shalin Financial Services. Rajesh Jyotishi talked about Retirement Planning, Estate Planning and Insurance Planning. The informative discussion helped everyone to understand the options to safe guard one’s income and to utilize the legal process to establish a safe process to pass on the assets to the children and dependents. NATA 2014 Convention Co-Convenor Satyanarayana Reddy, introduced the second speaker Tom Singh from BoA Merrill Lynch. Tom presented a thought-provoking discussion on financial investments and investment outlook for 2013.

The guest speakers were felicitated by NATA BOD & Convener Bala Indurti, and other NATA team members including Srini Vangimalla (Ccordinator), Satyanarayana Reddy (Co-Convener), Ravi Kandimalla (RVP), Ramesh Chaparala & Goutham Goli (Core Committee members).

Speaking on the occassion Bala Indurti greeted and thanked the audience for their active participation. NATA is committed to providing an opportunity for all people to safeguard their family’s interests. Only then the global community will be able to spread out and take care of others. The vision and objectives of Dr Prem Reddy and Dr Malla Reddy can only be met when willing hands and hearts unite in a spirit of progressive thinking and careful planning. He lauded the speakers for laying the groundwork for a fruitful discussion. A special mention was made for the tremendous enthusiasm and support from the community in Atlanta for making every event from NATA a memorable one. So far, NATA has been blessed to enjoy a lot of goodwill and participation from the telugu community for it’s stellar list of events that include: NATA day charity golf, Sai Health Fair, Ghantasala Program, Gurjada Swarnotsvalu, Amutha varshini Annual day cultural event & the current Investment Planning seminar.

Bala also took the opportunity to share a few important chair & Co-chair positions for upcoming NATA convention to be held in GWCC, Atlanta on July 4th,5th, 6th of 2014.
Ramana Reddy Doddla (Food Committee Chair),
Dilip Reddy Tunki (Venue Chair),
Venkat Chennubhotla (Cultural Chair),
Madhav Durbha (Literary Chair),
Raghu Kotha (Souvenir Chair),
Phani Dokka (Co-Chair Cultural & Literary),
Ram Durvasula & Neelima Gaddamanugu (Co-Chair Cultural),
Gireesh Reddy Meka (Registration Chair),
Srenivas Reddy Kotlure & Ram Maddi (Ch-Chair Registration),
Guru Paradarami (Stalls Chair),
Hari Pothukuchi (Program Guide),
Vijay Gandapodi (Decorations Coordinator) ,
Siva Gaddamanugu (Web committee Chair),
Kiran Reddy Kandula (Publicity Chair)

NATA team is also actively looking for interested members with appropriate fit and interest for chairing and volunteering for other committees. An announcement on these remaining key positions will be coming soon after member engagement.
Kiran Kandula , Sreenivas Reddy Kotlure & Gireesh Reddy Meka coordinated the membership online process and registered about 100 Life members. It is a well known fact that NATA Atlanta has always been in the forefront in membership recruitment and new member initiation drives. The year 2013 has only seen the group of dedicated NATA community grow in leaps and bounds.
NATA Community Services Co-Chair Venkat Reddy Mondeddu concluded the program with Vote of Thanks. Special thanks are due to Sridhar Reddy Vakiti (Video), Venkat Garidepalli (Photography), Jagadeesh Reddy Cheemarla (Food & Venue arrangements). Ramana Doddla and Jagadeesh Cheemarla went out of their way to ensure smooth food arrangements and guest sign-up coordination.Taste of India restaurant management provided an excellent venue and delicious food. Everyone felt that the evening was a time well spent and well invested.

source: http://www.nataus.org / NATA – North American Telugu Association / Home / March 26th, 2013

Hyderabad on a platter

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

Rich, spicy and aromatic the Hyderabad cuisine is as famous as the city itself. A visit to Hyderabad is considered incomplete without treating oneself to the some Hyderabadi biryani. And so bringing some of the city’s authentic flavours for all to binge on is the 10-day Hyderabad Food Festival at 36 Chhattees.

With a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food to choose from, patrons can savour a host of dishes.

To start of with, the menu includes Marag and Tomato Shorba, Talawa Gosht, Hyderabadi Raan, Turki Kebab, Nizami Murgh Tikka and Lalmirch Paneer Tikka.

Main course includes favourites like Dum ka Murgh, Machi Mahekali, Nizami Handi, Dum ka Baingan, Tamate ka Kut, Kaddu Dalcha, Subz Dum Biryani and Kache Gosht ka Biryani.

No meal is ever complete without desserts and typical Hyderabadi choices of Qubani Ka Meetha, Double ka Meetha and Sheer Kurma will complete your gastronomic experience. The food fest will go on till April 5 and is open for lunch and dinner, from 12:30 to 3:30 pm and 7 to 11:30 pm respectively.

For reservations or more information, contact 90007 72005 or 040 6459 000.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features – Hyderabad / March 28th, 2013

Guntur nun Glowrey on way to sainthood

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

GunturNunHF29mar2013

Hyderabad: 

The first nun-doctor missionary, who spent her life in India, mostly in Guntur and Bengaluru serving poor patients, will take her first step to sainthood on Wednesday.

The Vatican gave the nod for Sister Dr Mary Glowrey, an Australian of Irish origin, to be declared ‘Servant of God in India’, the first step to become a Catholic saint. The announcement of her declaration as Servant of God will be made by Bishop Gali Bali of Guntur diocese at a ‘chrism mass’ on Wednesday.

Dr Glowrey first landed in Guntur in 1920 at the age of 33. She came as a missionary of the Society of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and ran a dispensary which turned into St Joseph’s Hospital.

Director-general of the Catholic Health Associat-ion of India, Dr Tomi Tho-mas, says, “Sister Glowrey founded the Catholic Health Association of India in 1943 which now has 3,500 health care institutions in the country and is the largest NGO in the health sector. She was born in Victoria in 1887 and studied medicine and worked at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital and Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne and also had a private practice.”

Bishop Gali Bali called her a “special creation of God and a great soul who embraced the whole world”. She left her lucrative career as an ENT specialist after she chanced on a pamphlet in 1915 about the appalling infant mortality rate in India. It changed the direction of her life.

“Pope Pius XI later bestowed a special blessing on her medical work and, as Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart, she became the first nun-doctor missionary. At Guntur, she trained local women to be pharmacists, nurses and midwives. She often travelled to visit the sick and dying in remote villages. She also used Indian traditional medicine,” the Bishop said.

My Jesus, I love you, were her last words

The people of Guntur were thrilled on hearing the news that Sister Glowrey will be declared ‘Servant of God in India’, the first step to become a Catholic saint.

Elizabeth, 65, of Amaravathi Road, Guntur, said, “I was brought up by Sr Glowrey. I cannot forget her love and affection. She used to be a very caring person for the poor and a devout Christian.”

Sister Victoria who had worked at St Joseph’s said, “It is a great honour for St Joseph’s General Hospital at Guntur as its founder is in the process of canonisation. She converted a small dispensary into a huge hospital which today is serving the poor and the needy.”

Dr Glowrey died on May 5, 1957. Her last words are said to be, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph” and “My Jesus, I love you”.

She spent her last days in Bengaluru and her vision led to the establishment of one of the best Indian medical colleges, St John’s Medical College.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / by U. Sudhakar Reddy / March 27th, 2013

Tribal fete in Agency

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

TribalHF29mar2013

Picture for representational purpose only. / Deccan Chronicle

Rajahmundry:

In a bid to promote tourism and facilitate exchange of culture and traditions between tribals and people from plain areas, the East Godavari administration is organising a three-day tribal festival called ‘Manyam Jatara Choodimi’ on the premises of Government Junior College grounds at Rampachodavaram from March 29 to 31.

The authorities are planning to organise a series of cultural programmes depicting the tribal customs, practices, traditions and culture. The tribals will perform their traditional dances and also render songs.

As the tribals celebrate after harvesting traditional crops, the authorities are making arrangements to accommodate such celebrations also during the festival.

Rampachodavaram sub-collector Gandham Chandrudu told newsmen here on Tuesday that the district administration in association with department of tourism and Integrated Tribal Development Agency is organising the tribal festival which is first of its kind in the agency areas in the state.

He said that that state government had sanctioned Rs 15 lakh to organise the festival. The arrangements are being made in agency for the tribal festival similar to those made during the conduct of beach festival ‘Sagara Sambaralu’ recently at Kakinada beach.

As many as 30 stalls are going to be set up with 15 of commercial nature while 15 from various departments. A book exhibition with the display of titles of prominent writers from agency areas and a photo exhibition depicting the important tourist and religious places will also be set up.

The visitors will be taken to the tourist attractions in the agency. The authorities are organising gaming zones for the kids at the festival.

A replica of Annavaram temple of Satyanarayana Swamy will be set up and the devotees will be given ‘prasadam’ free of cost.

To oversee the arrangements, a district-level committee headed by collector Neethu Kumari Prasad and 11 sub-committees are set up. Tribals from neighbouring agency areas in West Godavari and Khammam are also invited to take part in the festivities.

Meanwhile, Collector Neethu Kumari Prasad reviewed the arrangements with the officials at Kakinada.

source:  http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / March 27th, 2013

Circle of life

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

model1HF28mar2013

Model Reha Sukheja sports jewellery designed by Suhani Pittie at Lakme Fashion Week Summer / Resort 2013.

Suhani Pittie talks about her fascination for medieval art and paying and ode to Sun God

When she designed a collection called ‘Grunge Begum’ a few seasons ago, those who knew Suhani Pittie understood that she was the Begum, living the life of a modernist and at the same time imbibing the essence of the 200-year-old Pittie mansion in Begum Bazaar. Combining traditional and modern sensibilities has been her forte and with her new collection, Dances With The Earth, Suhani goes a notch higher.

“I have been researching parallel lifestyles or tribal lifestyles for a year and a half. When I started reading, I didn’t know it would all lead to a jewellery collection,” Suhani says, speaking to us a day after showcasing her work at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2013.

Suhani uses motifs of the rising sun, chakra, sun rays and the moon in earrings, neckpieces, arm bands, circular bangles, anklets and pendants. “The tribals, be it Aborigines in Australia, Dongrias in Orissa or the Navajos in America are in sync with the earth and comfortable in their old world set up. They worship the tree and are not hungry for a better lifestyle. Their dance forms are circular and there’s a reason behind the colours they use and the jewellery they wear,” says Suhani.

Using copper, one of the first metals used by humans, she dedicates this collection to the spirit of the tribals living in tune with Nature. Dances With The Earth has circular bangles with leaves, sun and moon patterns; anklets with leaves; multiple chakra motifs on pendants; earrings and cord cuff with the rising sun motif; peacock earrings; armbands with sun and moon patterns and the bird crown cord bracelet among other pieces. All of these in some way represent the ‘circle of life’.

Eight months of research on tribal jewellery were followed by three months of production at her workshop, involving 100 to 120 craftsmen. “A new girl in the factory, impressed by the surface ornamentation way we were working on the pieces, asked me how long the show would be. She was surprised when I told her the duration of our show at Fashion Week would be only 5 min 45 seconds,” laughs Suhani.

The last few years have seen Suhani grow from strength to strength. She figured in the World Gold Council’s list of top 10 most inventive and ingenious jewellery designers of the world and was the only Indian jewellery designer to showcase her work at the Miami Fashion Week. With her new collection, she seems to be taking the next step in experimentation. “As a designer, I feel I’ve matured with this collection. There’s a lot of depth and we are proud of the textures on the surface,” says Suhani.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Features> Metro Plus> Fashion / by Sangeetha Devi Dundoo / Hyderabad, March 26th, 2013

Vizagites take to festival of colours

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Visakhapatnam :

Holi hai! The call is not just confined to the north Indians but also for Andhraites.

Around three decades ago, the locals were reluctant to even move out of their houses when the Marwaris, Gujaratis, Bengalis or people from other north Indian communities in the city celebrated the festival of colours. Getting drenched in the colour water or throwing gulal at one another was alien to them. But not anymore.

With the changing times, Andhraites of the city are also enthusiastically taking part in the celebrations, which has become an occasion for Telugus to bond with the people of the north Indian communities.

“I started participating in this colourful festival with my friends  after I joined engineering and now it seems the festival has caught the fancy of the Vizagites. We go to the Beach Road in the morning and enjoy a lot playing with eco-friendly colours. A couple of north Indian friends are also part of our group,” said third-year engineering student B Gowtham.

“The night before Holi, we light a splendid  bonfire or the Holika. Holi sweets are another attraction of this festival, which now has an all-India appeal,” he said.

City-based businessman V Nageshwar Rao, who celebrates the festival with his Marwari friends, said that Holi is a national festival that ought to be celebrated by all communities and states.

“What appeals to me the most about Holi is that it helps us bond with other communities. We get to know the tradition of other states and we get to spend some enjoyable time with family and friends playing with ‘gulal’ and gorging on sweets on Holi. Earlier, Holi wasn’t much in vogue  in Vizag but nowadays Telugu youngsters are enthusiastically celebrating it,” he said.

Telugu children rue that Holi is not an official holiday in schools in Vizag. “It would have been great had the schools declared at least a day’s holiday on Holi. However, as there is no holiday, we can’t enjoy throughout the day. I’m looking forward to the barfis and sweet kachoris from my north Indian friends,” said G Swathi, a class IX student.

Holi has another appeal for city artist K Ravi. “Colours have always attracted me. The Holi colours remind  me of nature in spring, when colourful flowers bloom to paint the city red, pink, orange and yellow. I have been to Tagore’s Shantiniketan in West Bengal , where Holi is celebrated in a big way but the colours used are dry powder. In Vizag, too, I play Holi with friends, but I prefer the coloured powder and natural eco-friendly colours,” he said.

Naresh Agarwal, president of the Marwari Yuva Manch, welcomed the trend of Telugus celebrating Holi. “We are happy that people of south Indian  communities are celebrating Holi, which is actually a north Indian festival. Just as we also participate in Ugadi and Sankranthi celebrations, our Telugu friends are also celebrating Holi and Diwali with us, signifying a beautiful blend of north and south Indian cultures,” he said. “On Tuesday we would have ‘Holika puja’ on R K Beach, where the bonfire would be lit to symbolically destroy all things negative. There would be dance and celebrations till late in the night. On Wednesday, pujas in the Shyam temple since morning would be followed by special Holi programmes. Sweets and thandai would be distributed to all and people of various communities will celebrate with colours,” he said.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / by Sulogna Mehta, TNN / March 26th, 2013

Week-long heritage celebrations in Warangal

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Warangal Municipal Corporation is planning for a week-long heritage celebrations across the district following the Central government tourism award to the district.

Commissioner Vivek Yadav said they would be organising a photography competition on heritage monuments. Beginning from April 12, the celebrations will continue till April 18. Artistes from across the State would take part in the inaugural function which will be held at Warangal Fort.

Painting competitions for schoolchildren at Public Gardens, folk and food festival at Musical Gardens, workshop on Warangal, cultural programmes at Public Gardens and a performance by Padmabushan Swapna Sundari of New Delhi at the historic Ramappa Temple on April 18 will be part of the celebrations.

From April 12, the corporation will also organise heritage tours on all days that begin from Public Gardens, Warangal Fort, Bhadrakali temple and Vana Vignana Kendra. A bus would begin from these places and children under 14 years can travel for free.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Warangal, March 23rd, 2013