Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Saving Hyderabad’s dying lakes

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment

School  students, college-goers, young professionals and environmental activists came together on Friday morning to clean up the contaminated Kapra Lake in Secunderabad

The road to the Kapral Lake at Sainikpuri usually wears a deserted look. The surroundings, peppered by high rises is the perfect residential address — quiet, calm, clean and luxurious. Amidst this sea of tranquillity, the lake stands out as a sore thumb. And this is mainly because the water body has been constantly used and abused by the multitude. The surroundings of the serene lake are jarring, with garbage strewn around and the pungent smell of decaying waste. But on Friday morning, a group of environment conscious citizens descended upon the lake, to do their bit to save the water body and restore its former glory.

Spearheaded by The Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI), a wildlife conservation and habitat restoration group, the drive to clean up the Kapral Lake saw volunteers from six schools, a corporate giant, the Indian Army and GHMC participate with gusto. “We are cleaningup the Kapral Lake of physical garbage today because several other life forms depend on the lake for survival, including aquatic, birds and other terrestrial life forms,” says Arun Krishnamurthy, founder, EFI.

What lies beneath?
The clean up drive which began at 8 am in the morning, saw volunteers fish out harmful waste from the bottom and surroundings of the lake. “We fished out huge amounts of Plaster of Parisdeposits which are the result of the idol immersion from Ganesh Chaturthi,” says Krishnamurthy, adding, “In the name of God, we have been dumping garbage in the lake and harming aquatic life.” Putting a number to the amount of garbage collected, he says, “In an hour we have collected 2.3 tons. After this four hour drive, we expect to collect 4 tons of waste.”

Hyderabad not the worst
The EFL, based in five cities, first began their lake restoration programme in Hyderabad in the year 2006. “We have identified around four lakes in and around the city that needs to be cleaned and restored to ensure a cleaner water body on it,” says an EFL volunteer.
As part of their programme, the foundation has held clean-up drives in cities like Delhi, Chennai and Lucknow as well. “During our work, we have discovered that the maximum amount of toxic waste lies in water bodies in Delhi. Cleaning them is quite a task.

Hyderabad, on the other hand, is not so bad,” says the volunteer. But that does not give us city folks the leverage to gloat at being ‘most environment friendly’. For according to the EFL, the Miyapur Lake spewed out 12 tons of toxic waste in the year 2008 alone!

No marathon men
With the environment being on everyone’s mind these days, the city’s youngsters have joined forces to battle this issue. “School kids are the most enthusiastic. They give it their best. Corporate giants too have joined us,” Arun adds.

But when it comes to ‘doing your bit’, the organisation prefers to see the results than just doing a token job in the name of environment — you’ve got to get your hands dirty. In fact, the volunteers for a city corporate house, planted 20 Neem saplings on the Lake bunds. Meanwhile, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation too has lent its full support by sending in a garbage disposable truck along with volunteers to help out in the initiative. They took the garbage collected from the lake to the dumping grounds.

The road ahead
While hours of labour and sweat have been put into cleaning up the lake, the primary concern could be the reversal of the results, what with citizens using the water body as dumping grounds once again. But a prevention module has been put in place by the foundation. “We are in the process of installing bird nests and feeders with the GHMC. A detailed study on the flora and fauna life around the lake will follow too. Our aim is to convert the lakes into biodiversity hotspots, housing all life forms. There are two more lakes to be restored by end of the year,” says Arun.

sarah.salvadore@timesgroup.com

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Life & Style> People / by Sarah Salvadore, TNN / June 30th, 2012

Free eye screening held in Vijayawada

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Resources of Free Materials, Science & Technology

The David Brown Children’s Eye Care Centre at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in Tadigadapa conducted free eye examination and treatment for 63 HIV positive children of Tulip Garden at Buthimillipadu, Gannavaram mandal.

Netherlands-based philanthropist Margaret said the David Brown Children’s Eye Care Centre was catering to the needs of children from Vijayawada and five other neighbouring districts.

“The eye care centre is so clean, sand everybody was so kind . It was so different from other hospitals in Vijayawada. I felt I was in a hospital in The Netherlands,” she said.

Eye specialists Niranjan examined the eyes of the children and prescribed medication when required.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / June 28th, 2012

Weft, warp and a timeless weave

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

An ikat sari displayed as part of the exhibition by Pochampally Handloom Park  Photo: Sangeetha Devi Dundoo / The Hindu

Ikat Art presents a contemporary take on the traditional weave

Something as commonplace as a refrigerator top cover transforms into an appealing work of art. A layer of foam sandwiched between two layers of handloom cloth with the storage pockets at the sides outlined by bright ikat weaves is one of the simple value additions you get at the ongoing exhibition of ikat fabrics and furnishings at the Pochampally Silks and Sarees store, Tilak Road, Abids. In colours of olive green, deep maroons and purples, the refrigerator covers come at Rs. 150. “It’s a value buy, but we still have customers haggling for a lower price. We end up explaining to them about the art of ikat,” says one of the store employees.

The exhibition puts forth textiles from the Pochampally Handloom Park, sold under the label Ikat Art. On sale are saris and salwar sets (silks and cottons), yardage, bed linen, furnishings, travel bags, stoles and scarves. The products of Ikat Art are rugged and unpredictable, something that’s synonymous with hand-woven fabric. The saris vary from everyday wear to prized possessions with simple ikat patterns to double-ikat weaves. The borders with woven patterns contrast the body of the sari. Expect to see checks, geometric patterns, birds and floral weaves. There are saris that take off on the traditional teliya rumal weave as well. The saris are priced between Rs. 2000 and 8000.

The salwar sets in silk are priced around Rs. 4000 – 4500. “The fabric for salwar, kameez and dupatta is woven on three different looms and you need 7.5 metres as against 6 metres for a sari,” explains a store employee. In colours of ochre, mustard yellows, bottle greens, deep reds and magentas, there’s something for everyone.

Cotton stoles at Rs. 500 to 600 and silk ikat stoles at around Rs. 2000 to 2500 are pick-me-ups and can be teamed with both Indian and western silhouettes.

The exhibition is on till July 6.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Arts> Crafts / by Sangeetha Devi Dundoo / Hyderabad, June 22nd, 2012

Of macaroons and muffins

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Concu’s cakes topped with macaroons and more

Pastry chef Sahil Taneja and wife Swati are adding more sweetness to the Hyderabadi palate with their fairy-tale creations of cakes, topped with carefully crafted macaroons. Together the couple run Concu Cakes.

After completing his postgraduation in London to perfect the art of pastry-making, Sahil went on to work at Harrods under legends such as Josef Marsalek (senior sous chef at Harrods London). He is nostalgic about the days when he worked hard. “I used to be up by 3 am and in the kitchen by 4. But the pleasure of serving people, especially clients like Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise, the King of Qatar and soccer stars is incomparable to anything else,” shares Sahil, now 37.

Pop star Boy George would personally call Sahil to place orders. Sahil also cherishes the champagne bottle he received as a gift from footballer Wayne Rooney. But Hyderabad is home. “I have been here since I was three. My family is based here,” he says, also adding, “The Hyderabad market is fairly unsaturated for the high-end products that I make.”

Marketing and promotions tend to take a backseat when you are as focused on quality. In fact, you will not even find a signboard at their Begumpet office. “I wanted to enter the market slowly. I think most people go wrong in expanding too quickly and compromising on the quality. I also wanted to test the city’s palate for flavours like balsamic vinegar. Everyone here seems to want pineapple, butterscotch or chocolate,” Sahil smiles.

All orders are personally taken care of by Sahil now, and he is also training two apprentices when the volumes increase. The use of natural and imported ingredients means the prices are on the higher side, but Sahil’s customers are not complaining. He recently made a mango and strawberry cake for Ram Charan Tej and Upasana, ordered by friends of the couple.

If there’s one thing that gives this gifted pastry chef the jitters it’s baking macaroons. “Macaroons are very tricky, you never know where and how they go wrong. But now I am ready to challenge anyone,” he declares with a smile.

To place orders, you can contact Sahil on 9985800031.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Others / June 21st, 2012

TANA hosted a Mesmerizing “Kalyana Srinivasam” Kuchipudi Dance Drama in Dallas

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

Dallas, TX, Sunday June 17, 2012

“Invoke the divine and celebrate the wedding of Lord Srinivasa” is the theme of the evening gathered at the Eisemann Center, Richardson TX as a part of the “Kalyana Srinivasam, a mega Kuchipudi Dance Drama on Lord Srinivasa hosted by the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) on Sunday, June 17, 2012. TANA, founded in 1977, is one of the oldest and largest Indo-American national-level organizations with its charter to perpetuate, integrate, and assimilate the cultural heritage of the Telugu-speaking people of the North American continent into the mainstream of the cultural heritage of North America. This program was Co-hosted by the Natyanjali Kuchipudi dance School of Srilatha Suri established to promote the exquisiteness of Kuchipudi dance in North America in general and Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex in particular.

Rajeswari Udayagiri and Chandrahas Maddukuri duo served as the leaders of the ceremony for the evening. Manjulata Kanneganti, TANA Southwest Regional Representative extended a warm welcome to the visiting guests and several hundreds of local Telugu community members for this one-of-a kind dance drama. The event was attended by Hon. Upendra Chivukula, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, NJ as a Chief Guest. Hon. Chivukula congratulated TANA for bringing the Telugu community together and promoting the rich Indian culture in North America. TANA recognized Hon. Chivukula with a “Distinguished Service Award” for his impeccable public service and for being a beacon for the upcoming leaders of the Indian origin.

“Srinivasa Kalyanam ” is a romantic devotional ballet depicting the story and the wedding of Lord Srinivasa with Padmavathi. The ballet has been divided into a dozen different complex scenes with unique set of situations involving many characters for the clear understanding of the story. Each scene is uniquely choreographed with various characters supported by breathtaking sounds and techniques to simulate the respective environment. Use of special equipment in almost every scene is an indication of the effort level from the choreographers. Various events leading to the romantic union of the Lord with Padmavati is well presented. The audience was enthralled and taken in by every scene and and passion of the performers is clearly visible.

Prasad Thotakura, President of TANA reiterated TANA’s continued focus on serving the Telugu community with result oriented programs and enabling a new breed of ambassadors to bring the community together. He invited everyone to attend the 19th TANA Convention to be held from July 4-6, 2013 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas. He commended Padmasree Dr. Sobha Naidu for her decades of accomplishments and service to the Indian art and culture. Prasad also thanked Srilatha Suri of Natyanjali Kuchipudi dance school and her disciples for delivering the mesmerizing performance to the Dallas area Telugu community.

The “Kalyana Srinivasam ” team leader Padmasree Dr. Sobha Naidu was felicitated with a title “Viswa Natyaachaarya Siromani” and the Artistic Director of Natyanjali Kuchipudi Dance School Srilatha Suri was bestowed with “Natya Kala Choodamani” & all the performers were recognized with certificates and bouquet of flowers by the TANA executive team starting with Prasad Thotakura, President, Ram Yalamanchili, Secretary, Manjulatha Kanneganti, Regional Representative, Murali Vennam, 19th TANA Convention Coordinator, Geeta Dammanna, President of TANTEX, Dr. Sridhar Reddy Korsapati, IANT President, Rao Kalvala, Regional Vice President of NATA, Satish Reddy, Board of Director of ATA, Special appreciation and mementos were presented to all the sponsors and Chandrahas Maddukuri and Rajeswari Udayagiri for doing an outstanding job as the emcee of the day.

TANA Sub-committee Chairs – Chalapathi Rao Kondrakunta, Rajesh Veerapaneni, Vinod Uppu, Ratnakumar Daggubati, Samba Dodda, Srikanth Polavarapu, TANA Convention Coordinator Murali Vennam, TANA Foundation Trustee Dr. Prakasa Rao Velagapudi and Dr. Bhanumathi Ivaturi also graced the occasion.

The mesmerizing Kalyana Srinivasam mega Kuchipudi dance drama came to an end with vote of thanks by Ram Yalamanchili, Secretary of TANA to the audience for their attendance, visiting guests, volunteers like Narasimha Reddy Urimindi, Vasanth Suri, Vara Senapathi, Sridhar Kodela, Samba Dodda, Srikanth Polavarapu who spent countless hours of their valuable time, Eisemann Center management for providing excellent support and facilities, the event sponsor Natyanjali Kuchipudi Dance School, Grand Sponsors; Fortune Butterfly City, Horizon Travels, Mayuri Indian Restaurant, Our Place Indian Cuisine, Riya the Travel expert, Gourmet Foods, Unisis, Vindu Indian Cuisine, Vish Palepu, and Vinod Uppu & family for sponsoring “Srivaari Prasadm”. Special thanks to our media partners Eknazar, FunAsia, Yuva Telugu Radio, TV9 for their excellent coverage before and after the event.

source: http://www.tana.org / Telugu Association of North America / Home> Tana News / Sunday, June 17th, 2012

Bureaucrat on the burning deck

About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

The erstwhile Hyderabad State ruled by the Nizams and its accession to the Indian Union are a fascinating part of the making of this nation. At one end were the nationalists represented by the Congress and other players in the freedom struggle, including the Hindu Mahasabha, advocating the integration of Hyderabad with the Indian Union. At another end was the defiant Nizam, who wanted to exercise the choice of staying independent and negotiate aspects on which Hyderabad would like to cooperate (such as defence and currency) with the Indian Union. Added flavour comes from a supplementary angle that brought in the people’s movement in Telangana against the oppression of landlords, orzamindars; a ragtag army of Razakars trying to fight, hand and glove with the Nizam, in order to retain autonomy. Another fact that adds more variety is: about 80 per cent of the population was Hindu, spoke three different tongues, had been under Islamic rule for centuries, adopting an alien language for official and court dealings.

There is a strand of literature that examines aspects on whether Hyderabad should have been integrated with the Indian Union; whether the military action (though given a civilian term: police action) should have indeed occurred; and an associated strand on whether the state should have been trifurcated on a linguistic basis. A fascinating book calledHyderabad: After the Fall (edited by Omar Khalidi) brings out the diverse arguments that were drowned out under the nationalist rhetoric.

With October Coup, then, it was expected that the book would bring out some interesting aspects of how an administrator (in this case, a Taluqdar of Osmanabad District) would have looked at, and dealt with, such issues. These expectations, stemming from the sub-title of the book (“A Memoir of the Struggle for Hyderabad”), were unwarranted. While the context of the book is around the struggle for independence, it is a tragic personal story of a civil servant who faced persecution by the new administration.

This book is Kafka’s delight. The author, Mohammed Hyder, is picked up soon after the Indian forces occupy Hyderabad and is put in prison without much of an explanation. Almost like the re-enactment of Kafka’s Trial, charges are framed much later, he is shifted from one prison to another, documents are withheld for flimsy reasons, even a death penalty is ordered and then the cases are withdrawn even as the persecution outside the courtroom continues. The book deals with Hyder’s trial and incarceration and what comes out of the process. It is the story of a passive struggle by a civil servant, within the confines of civility, to restore his honour and position. The first part of the book is neatly narrated. The second part has extensive reproductions of legal documents, affidavits, counter-affidavits and judgments.

It is interesting to have glimpses of the administration of Hyderabad State from Hyder’s perspective. Judging from his account, Hyder probably did not have a strong position on either accession or otherwise. He comes across as an earnest civil servant keen to maintain law and order and provide senior officers with information on the situation in the district under his control. He does not seem to have a soft corner for Quasim Rizvi, the leader of the Razakars. At the same time, he is willing to engage with him.

Quasim Rizvi, generally painted as the villain of the episode that involved the Razakars, appears very reasonable in all his encounters with Hyder. It is also evident from the book that while the Nizam took the line that “India is a geographical notion. Hyderabad is a political reality” (page 13), the preparation for resistance was based on false ground-level assurances and a notion of external support. While reading Hyder one gets the impression that acceding to India was, for them, a forgone conclusion and any resistance at best was a symbolic one, based more on pomp and ego than on data.

The way Hyder has constructed the book is slightly disappointing. It could have been a great piece of literature — a personal account of the incarceration, a conspiracy hatched and a persecution carried out with clinical precision. It could have been a piece of history retold, about the pressures of being loyal to a losing employer, a tragic story of losing friends and allies who were mostly moving away to Pakistan, a story of Muslim rule in a Hindu state which converts into a majority (Hindu) rule in a state that was predominantly ruled by Muslims. It could have brought out the marginalisation of Muslims, particularly in the post-accession regime in which the erstwhile rulers became minorities. The potential was immense. However, Hyder restricts his story to a dispassionate personal tale, where conspiracies are played down, villains are played up, and everybody is shown to be reasonable. October Coup suffers from decency. It is too decent a book to be set in a tumultuous period.

The reviewer is visiting professor, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore

OCTOBER COUP: A MEMOIR OF THE STRUGGLE FOR HYDERABAD
Mohammed Hyder
Roli Books (Lotus Collection)
228 pages; Rs 295

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Home> Life & Leisure / by M S Sriram / June 15th, 2012

Jwala Gutta all set to make India proud in London Olympics

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

On the court, she has brought down many opponents with her powerful shots, and off the court, she has courted several controversies with effortless ease! That’s Jwala Gutta, the glamour queen of Indian badminton.

Jwala Gutta is determined to win gold medals for India

Having started at a very young age of 10, Gutta has never looked back. With several wins in doubles and mixed doubles championships, today she is considered as one of the best doubles partners in badminton.

The Commonwealth gold medalist who is also the first Indian to have qualified for two events in the Olympics is determined to win gold medals for the nation. And Gutta’s track record with her partners, V Diju and Ashwini Ponnappa only inspires confidence.

Training hard for fitness, Jwala Gutta is confident of making India proud in London and we wish her the very best!

source: http://www.yourmoneysite.com / Home> News / Editorial Team, Bloomberg UTV / June 13th, 2012

Music concert for a cause

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Uncategorized

Rohit Dutta performing at a rock show at Gurajada Kalakshetram on Sunday. The show was organised to raise contributions for charity. Photo:C.V.Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Vision and You (VAY) Foundation and Marshall’s Youth Organisation on Sunday evening organised a charity show, “A cause to rock” at Gurajada Kalakshetram.

The performance of a rock band comprising engineering students was the mainstay of the programme.

Earlier singing of Janaganamana by hearing impaired students and a dance by physically challenged student, Pushpalata, won the applause of the audience.

Visakhapatnam West MLA Malla Vijay Prasad lauded VAY Foundation and Marshall’s Youth Organisation for their initiative to contribute to the cause of service.

He hoped they would continue to involve themselves in such activities.

Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu said the show organised for a good cause achieved its objective and complimented the quality of programmes.

VAY Foundation president Ganta Swamy said the foundation conducted several programmes to help poor students, women and the aged during the last two years.

The proceeds from the show would be spent on organising medical and blood donation camps.

Municipal Administration Regional Joint Director P. Ashajyothi, Symbiosys CEO O. Naresh Kumar, Mother Charitable Trust chairman Vikas Pandey and representatives of the youth organisation participated.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Staff Reporter / June 11th, 2012

Nampally ‘sarai’ classic case of negligence

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

FALLING ON BAD DAYS: Considered the gateway of old city, the Nampally ‘sarai’ was built by the sixth Nizam, Mahboob Ali Pasha, in 1919. Photo: M. Subash / The Hindu

It is on its last leg. It is just a matter of time when it will bite the dust. Perhaps, a good torrential rain is enough to ring the curtain down on history.

In its 93 years of existence, Nampally Sarai has definitely not seen such apathy. The powers-that-be of course are busy with more important things, concerned citizens have cried themselves hoarse and the common man is too occupied with keeping the wolf away.

Looks like the authorities are waiting to perform the last rites of the heritage structure which has seen better days. There are no pangs of remorse for the inaction. The historic ‘sarai’ is a classic example of bureaucratic negligence. That it figures least on the official agenda is to stress the obvious.

Much sought after once, the ‘sarai’ today presents an agonising sight. Brick by brick it is falling with the cracks widening by the day. Any attempt to repair it might only hasten the inevitable, officials say.

JNTU engineers who studied the structural stability of the building suggested total reconstruction of the eastern wing and minor repairs of the western block under supervision of conservation architects. They feel the building is conservable.

In January 2007, the government announced a Rs.1.1 crore restoration package. It was proposed to take up repair and reconstruction of the collapsed portion for adaptive reuse and to make other site-related interventions. But nothing has been done, and in the meanwhile, the ‘sarai’ has further deteriorated.

Considered the gateway of old city, the Nampally ‘sarai’ was built by the sixth Nizam, Mir Mahboob Ali Pasha, in 1919 in memory of the First World War treaty. Spread on an area of 5,828 square yards, this guest house was the first choice of visitors to the city in view of its central location. But poor maintenance and negligence led to gradual deterioration of the two-storied building.

The balcony of the eastern portion collapsed in 1998 due to prolonged exposure of the iron rafters in the roof to weathering. This made the civic body sit up and take notice but it failed to take concrete steps.

The Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR), which now owns the hoary ‘sarai’, is wary to touch it because of the sensitivities involved.

In fact, it has no plans as of now though there are demands to convert the open space into a parking lot and to develop and maintain it as a ‘sarai’.

“If anybody comes forward to restore it we will be too happy to bear 50 per cent of cost,” says N.V.S. Reddy, Managing Director, HMR. Sadly no one has come forward to pick up the gauntlet. There is no response either from the conservation architects or heritage lovers.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / June 11th, 2012

Hyderabad jewellery fair from June 22

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
Hyderabad, JUNE 6:

The fifth edition of Hyderabad Jewellery, Pearl and Gem Fair will be organised here during June 22-24, 2012.

“We are expecting significant business to transact in this business –to- business exhibition as south India in general and Andhra Pradesh is a big market for jewellery,’’ Ms Kranti Nagvekar, Group Director, UBM India, organiser of the event told newspersons here on Wednesday.

The four southern states account for 45 per cent about 900 tonnes of gold jewellery sale per annum in the country, she added.

The three-day event would feature over 125 exhibitors from India and abroad showcasing a range of products such as gems, studded jewellery, machinery and lab companies, pearls, diamond jewellery and traditional told jewellery.

About 4,000 visitors were expected to visit the fair which will be held at the HITEX exhibition centre at Madhapur here, Mr Nagvekar said.

source: http://www.ThHinduBusinessLine.com / Industry & Economy> Marketing / by The Hindu Bureau  / Hyderabad, June 06th, 2012