Stating that languages “reflect the roots” of society, President Pranab Mukherjee today emphasised on the need to create platforms to provide Indian languages greater exposure across the globe.

“There is no dearth of creativity and talent in Indian languages. While Indian writing in English has excited the world, we need to create platforms to provide greater exposure to Indian languages so that the creativity embedded in Indian literature is spread across the world,” he said during the inauguration of the three-day World Telugu Conference here.

Languages are not merely a means of communication, they along with literature are our heritage, he said.

“They define and reflect the roots of our society,” he said.

Government support alone was not enough for promotion of literature and all stakeholders should contribute meaningfully towards preserving and promoting these and Indian languages.

Tracing the evolution of Telugu, which has been declared a classical language in 2008, he said it was important that its antiquity and civilisation must be further explored.

“It is our responsibility to make every effort for its healthy growth and development so that posterity can benefit from the vast knowledge and ideas that rest within this language,” the President said.

Emphasising the need for concrete plans for creating awareness about Telugu language and literature among the youth, he said steps must be taken to consolidate all research works on Telugu history and to identify and encourage new research projects.

Mukherjee said the present conference was an opportunity for eminent personalities, poets, writers, intellectuals and artists to give a new dimension and vision to the language.

Earlier, he laid the foundation stone for an International Convention Centre at the conference site here.

Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan and Chief Minister N Kirankumar Reddy were among those present on the occasion.

source: http://www.Business-Standard.com / Home> General News / by Press Trust of India / Tirupati, December 27th, 2012

Humour is serious business and humorists by and large are dour-faced souls. Mujtaba Hussain, however, begs to differ. Though he has a stiff upper lip, as one engages in conversation with him his sense of humour comes across. And as the conversation progresses one gets into splits at his tête-à-tête interoperated with a generous dose of pun, repartee and one-liners.

Tickling the funny bone is no child’s play. But Mr. Hussain is doing it for the last half a century. His satirical writings in Urdu have regaled readers across the world so much so that his works have been translated into Oriya, Kanada, Hindi, English, Russian and Japanese languages.

Livelier Sundays

On August 12 he completed 50 years of humour writing. Though age has caught up with him slowing down his movements, there is no let-up in his writing. Even at 76 he serves up essays which are sharp, witty and hilarious. No wonder his hugely popular column in Siasat daily is eagerly looked forward to. In fact it makes Sundays even livelier.

Dubbed as the Mark Twain of Urdu humour, Mr. Hussain doesn’t believe in sitting on laurels even after 25 books, 13 awards, including the coveted Padma Shri. He works tirelessly rather effortlessly to give his best.

From the mundane to the celestial, he has waxed eloquent on every topic under the sun. Neil Armstrong, who died the other day, was also a subject of his column when he landed on the moon. “Chand ki barbadi hogaee, budhiya gayab hogayee…”, he wrote referring to the lore of an old woman working the ‘charkha’.

Trendsetter

His book ‘Japan Chalo, Japan Chalo’ is considered a unique addition to Indian fiction for its originality and beauty in the travelogue genre – something unheard of in Urdu literature.

What is unique about this ‘Qutb Minar’ of Urdu humour is the freshness he brings to his writings. His exuberant style, scintillating humour and cryptic satire makes his works unputdownable. In fact, many persond have learnt Urdu just to read his books.

It was the sudden death of Shahid Siddiqui, a humour writer, in 1962, that gave birth to the writer in Mujtaba Hussain. He was asked to continue the column ‘sheesha-teesha’ written by Siddiqui. “I thought it was a one-day affair. But I got stuck with it and today humour has become my bread and butter”, says Mr. Hussain.

Ceaseless commitment

His commitment to work is so much that even after the death of his daughter in 1963 he came straight to the office from the graveyard and penned the next day’s humorous piece.

His sense of humour seems to have rubbed off on his wife too. After he was conferred Padma Shri in 2007 his phone never stopped ringing. Mr. Hussain was naturally tired answering the congratulatory calls and asked his wife to take them. When the next call came, his wife picked up the phone and the voice on the other end enquired who she was. Mrs. Hussain shot back “mai Padma Shri ki shrimati bol rahi hoon.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by J.S. Ifthekhar / August 31st, 2012

Hyderabad :

One of the world’s costliest pen at Rs 75 lakh along with books on motivation, religion and fiction drew hundreds of Hyderabadis to the annual book fair in the city, with some even buying the white gold and 650 diamond-encrusted pen as gifts to mark the Christmas.

Organisers said the 27th Hyderabad book fair  was bigger compared to last year with 288 stalls and 40 more stalls erected due to high demand. The The 12-day fair came to an end on Christmas day with thousands swarming in to buy books and gifts on the concluding day.

“There were book launches almost everyday, especially local language books and poem collections, and they were a big hit,” said R Hanmanth Rao, president of the Hyderabad Book Fair Society.

Incidentally, the fair also had other attractions beside books. There were educational toys, scientific aids and pens and for the first time in Hyderabad, Emonte Pens Private Limited introduced a Ripple HRH, a fountain pen which was worth Rs 75 lakh, organisers said. The white gold and diamond-encrusted pen has only 39 pieces worldwide and has been a great crowd-puller here. There were a few buyers who bought this precious pen.

“But we cannot disclose the names of the buyers due to our company policy,” said Swapnil Kennedy, regional manager, South India. “It’s not just elite sections alone, but we have special pens for even the common man. The price range starts at Rs 75 and go up to 75 lakhs.”

One ivory fountain pen, worth Rs 2 lakh was also sought after by people at the fair. The modestly priced pens with magnetic caps make them a favourite with many enthusiasts. “The price range of fountain pens starts from Rs 2,000 and buyers mostly want pens in the range of Rs 500 to Rs 1000,” said Kennedy.

“I am coming here for the second time to show the pen to my grandchildren,” said Komala Valli, a retired government employee.

Major publishers like Harper Collins, Cambridge University Press, Oxford University and Pearson were among those present and people were seen ambling across the fair carrying books in hand.

Interestingly, one of the most popular books in the fair being Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams’ (TTD) 15-volume Mahabharata. Priced at Rs 2,315, the book was bought by many history lovers and retired people.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / December 26th, 2012

You have seen the historic Charminar. But have you ever relished the Kabab-e-Charminar? One sure has set eyes on the Golconda fort. But none ever sampled the Golconda Pahadi kabab. The same goes with Falaknuma and Chowmahalla too.

For the first time, one can sink teeth into succulent kababs named after the bewitching palaces and monuments of Hyderabad. And sure enough they live up to the mighty names they carry and taste as well.

One don’t have to go down to the old city to savour these mouth-watering delicacies. The shahi spread is available bang in the Eat Street on Necklace Road.

Sultans Biryani and Kababs, which opened here recently, has become the toast of the town. The Hyderabadi cuisine was something missing here and Sultans has filled this space.

A young techie, M.A. Basith, is behind this venture. Apparently, there is no connection between the world of software and haute cuisine.

But since the discovery of a new dish does more to human happiness than the discovery of a new star, Mr. Basith has chosen to put his software skills to tickle the taste buds.

Why the historic names? “I want to redefine the great hospitality of Hyderabad and what better way than to name the dishes after the erstwhile rulers,” he says.

So you have Asaf Jahi kababs, Qutb Shahi kababs, Falaknuma kababs to name a few. Other exotic names go like this: Murgh Shahana, Pathar Gosht, Tunday Galauti kabab.

Well, Hyderabad is known for its biryani. But Mr. Basith plans to promote the luscious kababs as a brand.

Of course he also serves the Sultan ki Biryani. Soon he proposes to come out with Handi-ki-Biryani, an authentic biryani which is cooked in the earthen ‘handi’ only.

Given its strategic location, Eat Street attracts not just the tourists, yuppies but also the commoners from both Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

“Delicious kababs are something one would like to enjoy while savouring the picturesque Husainsagar,” says Ramesh, a tourist.

Sultans has a live kitchen where one can see the dish of his choice being cooked. Kababs apart from the Sultani Sheermal, Ajwain Naan and Chironjee Naan are something to look forward to.

With a view to promote the rich culture and hospitality of Hyderabad, Sultans plans to hold a quiz competition on a regular basis. The winners will get free meals and free boat rides in the Hussainsagar. Howzatt!

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by J. S. Ifthekhar / december 25th, 2012