Monthly Archives: July 2018
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Prehistoric rock art found in Madanapalle
Strong indications that it belongs to megalithic period
A rare rock art pertaining to the prehistoric period has been found on a boulder in the Noorukuppalakonda reserve forest of Madanapalle revenue division, which opens new vistas for research in the western belt of Chittoor district.
Eluri Harshavardhan, an assistant professor in the Department of History, Archaeology and Culture at Dravidian University, Kuppam, sighted the rare painting during his visit to the Rookalagundu boulder, located in the foothills of Bodikonda, along with members of Loris, an Arogyavaram-based conservation group. The site is 5 km from Pothabolu revenue village.
The painting is found on the surface of granite boulder at a height of 10 feet from the ground. “It is painted in red colour in a big space measuring about 5×5 metres. The painting consists of about 20 animal and human figures. The animal figures include leopard, antelope, dee, peacock, pangolin and cattle without humps,” Dr. Harshavardhan told The Hindu. There are indeed some images showing men and women carrying loads on their head.
The occurrence of prehistoric rock art in Rayalaseema region and in Chittoor district is not uncommon. Similar paintings are reportedly found throughout Pennar basin in the region and also the northern parts of Tamil Nadu. The frequent occurrence of Dolmens in the vicinity, presence of geometric lines and some signs in the painting suggest a megalithic period. The western and southern parts of Chittoor district have rich megalithic antiquity in the form of Dolmens, stone alignments and Menhirs.
Plea to officials
“The rock art is certainly as old as 2,000 years,” Dr. Harshavardhan reasons, observing that the painting referring to early human settlements could date to the period between 100 CE and 1000 BCE. While dubbing the rock painting important in understanding the cultural and ecological history of the region, he requested the district authorities to preserve the rock art site in view of its significant heritage value.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by A.D. Rangarajan / Tirupati – July 18th, 2018
Golden jackal faces threat in its habitat
Destruction of mangrove cover in Bandar Reserve Forest may trigger man-animal conflict
Destruction of mangrove cover in the Bandar Reserve Forest is forcing the golden jackal (Canis aureus) out of its habitat, triggering a conflict with the local communities.
Recently, The Hindu documented how a young golden jackal was swimming in the brackish waters out of its habitat for prey near the Palletummalapalem village in Machilipatnam mandal in Krishna district.
“We have recorded several golden jackals in the BRF through camera traps. The sighting out of its habitat is a sign of its destruction,” said A. Appa Rao, an expert engaged in the restoration of the mangrove cover.
Aqua ponds
The conservation status of the animal is the ‘least concern’ and it preys on wild crab and fish.
Amid uproar over the aqua ponds, the Vigilance authorities in 2017 recommended to the State government to hand over the 24,363 acres under the BRF and the BRF extension (I to IV) to the Forest department for protection.
Since 1970 (G.O.No. 2204), the BRF has been in the hands of the Revenue department as the final notification to de-reserve the forest land (25,259 acres) was still pending owing to various reasons.
The Revenue authorities, on the other hand, are helpless in preventing the encroachment of the mangrove along the Machilipatnam coastline.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by T. Appala Naidu / Machilipatnam – July 16th, 2018
Guntur girls, Nellore boys lift rugby trophies
Players selected for the State team
Guntur girls’ team registered a thumping victory with the 15-0 point lead against Anantapur to lift the 2nd State Rugby Championship 2018 trophy (Under 18 boys and girls) at Hindu College Grounds here on Sunday.
The Krishna District Rugby Association with the support of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh has organised the two-day championship-cum-selections. At least 300 players, representing 13 boys’ teams and 11 girls’ teams, have participated in the championship. In the girls’ category, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore and Chittoor bagged the third and four places respectively.
In boys’ category, SPSR Nellore emerged the champion by defeating East Godavari while Guntur and Anantapur got third and fourth places. MLC B. Arjunudu and Machilipatnam Municipal Chairperson M. Baba Prasad on Sunday presented trophies to the winners. The officials representing the SAAP and State Rugby Association on Sunday selected the 12 players from each category of boys and girls. “The best 12 players from both the categories will represent the State at the nationals to be held in July-end in Tamil Nadu,” according to SAAP official and the championship observer Vamsi.
Addressing the players, Mr. Arjunudu has announced that foundation stone would be laid for construction of the stadium at Goshala area in July, to provide better sports infrastructure in Machilipatnam.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Machilipatnam – July 16th, 2018
NRIs from U.S. donate IRs. 13.5 crore to TTD
Minister lauds their gesture
In a single major donation, an NRI devotee settled at U.S. Mr. Ravi Aika on Saturday contributed ₹10 Crore to the TTD.
Likewise, another NRI devotee Mr. Srinivas, also from U.S., donated ₹3.50 crore to various trusts being floated by the TTD.
Chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadav received the donation on behalf of the TTD in the presence of Minister N. Amaranatha Reddy.
Later speaking to the media, the Minister appreciated both Mr. Ravi Aika, a leading businessman in the field of pharmaceuticals, and Mr. Srinivas for their charitable gesture.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> State> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Tirumala – July 15th, 2018
Vocalist Jayalakshmi Santhanam passes away
She was popular in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
Carnatic vocalist Jayalakshmi Santhanam, who was popular both in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, died here on Saturday. She was 86 and is survived by two sons and a daughter.
Family played a crucial role in shaping Jayalakshmi as a musician and she imbibed music by listening to her mother Muthulakshmi. Her elder brother was V.V. Sadagopan, an actor and professor of music at Delhi University.
Her family lived in Thiruvananthapuram and her initial training was under Rukmini Sunderrrajan, wife of her eldest brother Sunderrajan. She won a gold medal when she was seven. Many well-known musicians used to visit her house.
“They took me to concerts and competitions and introduced me to veterans like Brinda/Mukta and Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer,” Jayalakshmi recalled in an interview to The Hindu in 2007.
She used to accompany her sister-in-law Rukmini, who learnt music from Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagavathar and Sattur A.G. Subramania Iyer and learnt advanced lessons in music.
She lived for several years in Andhra Pradesh, as her husband Santhanam worked in Hyderabad. Though she admired M.S. Subbulakshmi and M.L. Vasanthakumari, her all-time favourite was D.K. Pattammal.
“I wish I had been born a kitten in D.K. Pattammal’s house,” she would say.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – July 15th, 2018