Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Telugus in US to reach out to poor students in AP

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

Hyderabad :

]The North American Telugu Association (NATA), which represents Telugus living in the US, is planning to initiate several charitable events to help the poor and the destitute in the state.

The association will finance meritorious poor students, organise paediatric camps and work on projects to supply purified drinking water to people in different districts of the state, NATA president Sanjeeva T Reddy said here on Monday.

Under the scheme, known as “Seva Days”, the body, with a membership of around 6000, will also organise essay writing competitions and cultural programmes, he said.

“We are planning to help poor students in the state. We have identified several meritorious students from government institutions and will soon start sponsoring them,” said Sanjeeva Reddy, who took over as the president of the body in January.

“Our motto is to serve our Telugu brothers and sisters in the state,” he added.

Incidentally, the NATA, which was established only two years back, is planning to start a helpline for the Telugu immigrants in northern United States.

“We want to strengthen our community services for the Telugu immigrants in the US. Soon we will come up with a medical helpline and an IT helpline to help Telugu students and people who have moved to the US,” Reddy said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / February 19th, 2013

A colony about which old timers reminisce with joy

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Nearly 5,000 people live in Abidnagar, which is well-planned and spacious

Akkayyapalem is one of the oldest, lively and fledging residential colonies of the new city. The process of establishment of the colony began as early as 1960. In the middle of 60s the then district Collector Abid Hussein allotted land for a residential colony involving several revenue employees which later came to be known as Abidnagar and part and parcel of the grand Akkayyapalem. The housing layout in course of time it developed into an organised employees residential area since the 1970s. Compared to other older residential areas the colony is well-planned, spacious and neat and a clean one. An estimated 5,000 people live in Abidnagar, which is closely connected to the National Highway 5.

Vijaya Kumari, a school teacher, says that the colony is not what it was after the year 2000. The colony lost its pristine beauty. It was once scarcely populated with spacious independent dwellings, and front and backyards had lot of greenery. The original character of the area changed with the demolition of old buildings and apartment complexes coming in their place. Today most of the independent dwellings had been replaced by apartment complexes dwarfing the few buildings, whose owners refused to fall in line. So only few landlords of yesteryears are there to tell the story of the extinct residential township and life that was and that is. Today each apartment complex with 50 to 60 flats have emerged as a township within a township. It is difficult to keep track of people and happenings, say the locals.

Ashok, a resident of the colony since 1970 says that if the old timers who are dead were to rise from the grave, they would not be able to recognise their house as the demography of the area had undergone a sea change. Those were the days when there was a lot of open vacant space for playing cricket and kabbadi and we breathed fresh air. “Today I feel imprisoned in my colony, and the huge structures dwarfing me make me insignificant and insecure,” he says.

Cricket teams

Abidnagar Residents Welfare Association secretary Jafullah Khan recalls the days in his colony when multiple cricket teams played cricket in the colony open space which had been developed into a beautiful park. There was life in the colony when the youth played cricket and youngsters playing games and making noise throughout the day was quite common. The area had 30 to 40 cricket teams but today the colony is full of apartment complexes with no open space left for the children and youth. Development had robbed the zest for life and the picture of life is very hazy today. Old timers have something to go down the memory lane for but the youth of today there will be no fond memories to cherish, says an octogenarian Shyam Sunder.

The colony has a beautiful park with flowers, greenery and a lovely walking track which attracts the young and the old. The old and lost generation in their 70’s and 80’s make it a point to meet at the park in the mornings and evenings to share their joys and sorrows. Jafullah Khan and the association treasurer S. Ramesh are the moving force behind the development of the beautiful park.

About 130 members of the association have generously contributed to the development of the park in partnership with the GVMC. Ramesh says, there is abundant water resource in the Akkayyapalem area, a survey conducted in the past revealed that the area has enough ground water for the next 50 years.

Former corporator and ex-member of GVMC standing committee Banala Sathya Surya Sreenivasa Rao says that underground drainage would come into operation once the pump houses are ready. Houses for scavengers and shadikhana for Muslims were part of the development in Abidnagar.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Ravi P. Benjamin / February 21st, 2013

Nizam’s classic Napier cars park at Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad

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

Napier cars of VI Nizam Mir Mahboob Ali Khan on display at Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad.

The Napier cars were earlier showcased at the Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ Concours D’elegance 2013, a vintage car exhibition, held in Mumbai.

With five such cars, the Nizam of Hyderabad was the single largest owner of Napier cars in India.

The seating of the car is arranged in such a way that the occupants faced the Nizam, who took a central seat in the car.

Napier cars of the Nizam are being moved during a display at Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / Agencies / February 20th, 2013

Where leisure meets its destiny

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Given the mounting concerns over safety in public places, Shilparamam has stepped up its security apparatus with the installation of CCTV cameras to keep an eye on the sprawling campus.

One of the popular leisure and shopping destinations in the city, Shilparamam, spread across 65 acres, is visited by thousands every day including tourists from other States. Hosting art and cultural activities, it is also a major attraction for foreign tourists visiting the city.

Strict monitoring

“Already, eight CCTV cameras have been installed at vantage points, and more will be added. As of now, we are able to monitor key points including an uninterrupted vigil of the entrance,” says G.N. Rao, Special Officer, Shilparamam. The strength of security staff has also been raised for more visible presence, he adds.

Nearly 100 sentry guards have been deployed at different areas including the recently opened Night Bazar. Conceived and developed as an art and crafts village with facilities to host cultural events, Shilparamam has nearly 300 artisans from across the country setting up stalls with their goods throughout the year.

On special occasions such as Sankranti, Navaratri and New Year’s eve, the number of artisans swells to nearly 700. “Shilparamam complex has also turned into a much favoured destination for cultural activities, and more than 475 different cultural events were hosted last year,” says Mr. Rao.

A recent addition to the campus is the Sculpture Park where sculptors from across the country participate in a camp and engage themselves in the creation of works of art. Along with a few old ones, a total of 80 sculptures have been put on display at Shilparamam. Meanwhile, the authorities are planning to expand the concept of Shilparamam to other parts of the Andhra Pradesh including a centre at Bhadrachalam.

Sculpture park

“At Bhadrachalam, we are working on a sculpture park and given the mythological appeal of the place, the idea is to base it on the Ramayana theme,” he says. The locations where the much-admired Shilparamam centres have been set up or are under development include Kadapa, Tirupati, Pulivendula, Visakhapatnam, Puttaparthi and Kakinada.

“On an average, a total of 22.5 lakh persons visit these centres every year,” Mr. Rao adds.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by T. Lalith Singh / February 20th, 2013

Golden oldies take trip down memory lane

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Leaders, Records, All

Students of the 1953 batch of Keshava Memorial High School with their family members on Sunday. / Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu

Reunion meet of 1953 batch students held at Keshav Memorial High School

It was a Sunday, but the atmosphere at Keshav Memorial High School in Narayanguda was lively. Looking at a decades-old photograph hung in a hall, a group of elderly people tried to identify themselves, their best friends and teachers.

Childhood memories

Cracking jokes at each other, they recollected their childhood memories and enquired about their well being. This was the scene at “Sneha Sashtipoorti”, a reunion meet of 1953 students’ batch of Keshav Memorial High School. “It’s been 60 years since we were in school and that’s the reason, we named it as Sneha Sashtipoorti,” said Veturi Yoganandam, convenor of the programme. Veteran actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao was chief guest for the event. “Age is just a number. Even today, I still want to act in movies and dance. These programmes remind me of my childhood and its memories. Meeting old friends rejuvenates us,” was the veteran actor’s message.

Though most of them in the batch were aged between 67 and 70 years, their zeal to organise the programme was quite spirited. It took days of planning, gathering information and addresses, communication etc but ultimately it paid off as 40 out of 70 students turned up for the event, claimed Mr. Yoganandam. “We have lot of memories associated with this school. Like most students, we too used to bunk classes and watched English movies in Deepak Mahal talkies. Of course, later we were punished,” laughs S. Prahalada Kumar, a retired JNTU professor.

As a mark of recognition and love for their teachers, they felicitated mathematics teacher Bhujanga Rao and social teacher Venkateshwar Rao. “Our teachers used to punish us, but it was out of love and affection. They always strived for overall development of students. Besides academics, they stressed on moral and physical education,” says Chandramohan, a businessman. “We used to play lot of football, volleyball and other games in the school and feel sorry for the present generation students as they lack sufficient playgrounds and quality education,” he adds.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / February 18th, 2013

‘Rudhramadevi’ shooting starts in Warangal

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

The shooting muhurtha of India’s first historical stereoscopic 3d movie ‘Rudramadevi’ has been done in Warangal thousand pillars temple at 12.22 hrs on 14th February. Anushka  plays the title role and Rana  plays the character of Chalukya Veerabhadra in this film.

Gunasekhar is directing and producing the film under Guna team works banner. ‘Maestro’ Ilayaraja is the music director.

Gunasekhar says, “The Muhurtha shot has been shot on Siva Linga that has been self formed 900 years ago. There is nothing better to start than at the thousand pillar temple which has standout as a testimony to Kakathiya’s grandeur. Inaddition today is a very prosperous day (Panchami) on which over 1,50,000 marriages are being done. So we have started today. The regular shooting of the film starts in April at the huge sets designed by ‘Padmasri’ Thota Tharani. There are many great actors in this film in which Anushka  is acting as Rudramadevi and Rana  as Chalukya Veerabhadra. The test shoot with the 3d cameras has been already done in Germany. Technically, this movie will be of international standards. Foreign technicians are working for Visual effects. I am very happy at my dream of making Rudramadevi coming true. This first historical stereoscopic 3d movie in India definitely allures”.

Anushka  says,” I was very motivated and decided to do the movie when Gunasekhar told me this story. Characters like this come very rarely. I have been taking training in horse riding and sword fighting for this character.This character becomes a milestone in my career. My dream of working with Gunasekhar has come true with this film”.

Rana  says,” I really love historical movies. I regularly practice dialogues in them. I have been very lucky to get Chalukya Veerabhadra’s character in this movie. I am very happy working with Gunasekhar. This will be a prestigious project for me as an actor”.

Art: ‘Padma sri’ Thota tharani, Cinematography: Ajay Vincent, Fights: Ram-Laxman, VFX Supervisor: Kamal Kannan(Prasad VFX), Costumes designer : Neetha Lallu (‘Jodha Akbar’ fame), Music: ‘Maestro’ Ilayaraja ,Story- Screenplay-Direction-Producer: Guna Sekhar.

source: http://www.indiaglitz.com / Home> Channels> Telugu / Thursday, February 14th, 2013

Wedding bells to ring loud on Feb. 14 and 15

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Marriage halls in Tirumala, Annavaram booked 90 days in advance

Maghamasam is an auspicious month for marriages, according to the Telugu almanac. Most of the marriages are performed this month.

Generally, there are five or six auspicious dates in the month. But this year, there are only a few muhurthams. More than one lakh bridegrooms in the State will tie the knot on February 14 and 15. Venue being the main problem, marriage halls in Tirupati, Tirumala and Annavaram were booked 90 days in advance. “We booked a marriage hall and accommodation for my daughter about five months ago,” said P. Satyanarayana, who is settled in the US and is performing the marriage in Annavaram. There is a heavy demand for purohits also. “I have asked my son, who is a software engineer in Hyderabad, to come here and take up seven marriages,” said Subrahmanya Sastry of Amalapuram.

Mudham beginning on February 17 and lasting till May 1 is treated as inauspicious for performing any function. Hence, the mad rush for Wednesday and Thursday, according to V. Srirama Ravikumar Sarma, a priest from Eluru.

“I have seven marriage invitations to attend on a single day,” said Kolli Satyavardhan Rao, a jewellery trader of Eluru. There is heavy demand for band troupes too.

Cooks, flower decorators, ‘pelli mandapam’ setters, videographers and material owners are having a field day.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by B.V.S. Bhaskar and G. Nagaraja / Rajahmundry -/Eluru, February 13th, 2013

Chiranjeevi wants Nizam jewels housed in Hyderabad

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

Hyderabad:

Union tourism minister K. Chiranjeevi is keen to have the famous jewellery of the Nizams displayed in a museum in Hyderabad.

The fabulous jewellery, rated among the world’s priceless collections, was purchased by the Central government in 1995 for Rs 217 crore (the value would be 10 times more now) after long negotiations between the trustees and government.

The jewellery is currently stashed away in the RBI vaults, after it was exhibited a few times, because the Centre is undecided over where to display it.

Sources said Chiranjeevi plans to meet the PM and the CM to push for Hyderabad’s claim to host the collection.

His close aide said Chiranjeevi wanted the jewellery to stay in Hyderabad since it belongs to the erstwhile rulers of the then Hyderabad State. “He will take up the issue with the state and Central government,” the aide said.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Politics / by C. R. Gowri Shanker / DC, February 14th, 2013

Mary Matha festival concludes

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Vijayawada Catholic Diocese in-charge Bishop Govind Joji addressing a prayer session organised as part of the valedictory of the Mary Matha festival at Gunadala in Vijayawada on Monday. /  Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu /

Vijayawada Catholic Diocese in-charge Bishop Govind Joji on Monday said Mother Mary is the Mother for not just Christians but she is the universal Mother. Addressing scores of devotees on the premises of Bishop Grassi High School at Gunadala at the valedictory session of the three-day Mary Mata festival, the Bishop underscored the significance of the Holy Cross. He said the Holy Cross was a powerful tool for every Christian and one must make effective use of it to ward off evil forces.

He said the house of every Christian was a church and presence of the Holy Cross in it would protect members of the household from all kinds of harm.

“Mary comes to us with the infinite love of a mother and moved by her extraordinary power of intercession through her Son Jesus. She is beautiful, triumphant, resplendent and merciful. She comes to us, surrounded by the celestial court, to untie the knots of our lives. Her love and the love of her Son for us is immense. The Mother wants us to discover this love that will dry the tears from our eyes,” he said.

Later, the holy mass was conducted by Bishop Joji, the Mary Matha Shrine Rector Fr. Chinnappa, Social Service Centre Director M. Prasad, Chancellor Fr. J. Johnraj and other pastors Fr. G. Vijay Kumar, Fr. P. Jaquim, Fr. P. J. Stephen, Fr. A.V. Jairaj, Fr. Lavu Jairaj, Fr. B. L. Francis and others.

Later, Bishop Joji and Fr. Cherian Kunnal were felicitated and students were given scholarships.

source:  http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / February 12th, 2013

On a different court: Saina Nehwal joins AP govt’s ‘save power campaign’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Sports

Badminton superstar Saina Nehwal  might have done quite a few endorsements for commercial products; but for the first time, she is going to be a brand ambassador for the Andhra Pradesh government for a public cause.

The  ace shuttler  is going to campaign extensively for State Energy Conservation Mission (SECM), asking the people of all sections to take up energy saving measures so as to minimize power consumption in the wake of severe power crisis staring the state.

“We had a meeting Saina and her coach Pullela Gopichand, the erstwhile badminton star, a couple of days ago and explained the objectives our energy conservation mission. We gave a power point presentation on how the state has been facing an unprecedented power crisis. We explained them how the scarcity of the natural resources like coal, gas and water have led to the present situation of acute power shortage in the state and impact of energy conservation activities,” SECM chief executive officer A Chandrasekhara Reddy told Mail Today on Sunday.

Reddy said for the last few years, there has been indiscriminate use of power by the people, causing tremendous burden on the power utilities. As a result, there has been a huge gap between the demand and supply, as high as 71 million units per day, forcing the power utilities to go in for massive power cuts.

“Though AP’s installed capacity has also reached 16,500 MW, the utilities are not able to utilise even 10,000 MW of capacity due to severe scarcity of fuel, which ultimately warrants the state to go in for energy conservation and energy efficiency measures in a big way,” he said.

The SECM officials told Saina that if everyone in the state was actively involved in this energy conservation mission, the state is estimated to save about 15,000 MU of energy, worth of Rs.7,500 crore every year.

“They were very much impressed with our mission so much that they readily agreed to be part of the programme. And Saina came forward to be a brand ambassador for the government for this mission without charging a rupee, as it is a public cause,” the officials said.

“We will utilise the services of Saina in our promotional activities through short films and other publicity programmes. She agreed to give us time for our programmes whenever she finds time,” Reddy said.

source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / Home> India Today> Sports> Others Sports> Story / by A. Srinivasa Rao / Hyderabad, February 10th, 2013