Nizamabad museum traces the evolution of civilisation

Although little known to people, the Nizamabad archaeological museum is one of the important museums in the State. Constructed in 1936 by VII Nizam as a Town Hall, this T-shaped heritage building was turned into a museum and thrown open to the public on October 24, 2001 during Indur Utsav celebrations.

It houses a number of artefacts and antiques representing the evolution of human civilisation right from Paleolithic to Vijayanagar times. The Museum is broadly divided into three sections namely archaeological, sculptural and bronze and decorative.

The archaeological section includes tools of Palaeolithic and late stone age (from 50,000 to 5000 BC), megalithic pottery and iron implements dating back to 1000 BC to 3rd Century BC, early historical cultural material of Satavahana times includes pottery, iron implements, beads, bangle pieces, terracotta and bricks.

Coins range from the punch to marked varieties (3rd century BC to British period). Gold coins of Vijayanagara period unearthed at Bodhan are on display. Chart showing evolution of Telugu script from 3rd Century BC to 16th Century AD is also preserved. A finely carved door jamb in red sand stone of Vijayanagar period is erected in front of museum.

Decorative section includes bronzes of Chalukyas to Vijayanagar times. Arms and armour including swords of different types, shields, chest plates, arrows belonging to Qutub Shahis and Asaf Jahis are on display. Zinc copper alloy of bidriware, shining silver, hukkahs, spittoons, flower vases, betel nut boxes are among the collection. Several kinds of weapons believed to be used by the Roman, Persian, Russian and Indian armies are also on display.

This museum located in the middle of the picturesque Tilak Garden is closed for repair works since three months. “As soon as we get permission we will start the works,” says K. Sudhakar, the museum in-charge.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by P. Ram Mohan / Nizamabad – March 29th, 2014

Their ancestors enthralled the famed kings and subjects of Vijayanagar Empire

“It is said that ‘history repeats itself’, and we are doing what our ancestors had done during the reign of the legendary king Krishnadevaraya.” These were the words from M. Sekhar Babu, a folk artiste, who is engaged by the district administration to spread the message of voting rights, as part of the SVEEP campaign (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation).

But all is not well for the artistes who have been entertaining the people since centuries. Giving performances has been their only source of income and they feel that the demand is dwindling with every passing year.

“We were once in heavy demand, as we were called to perform at marriages and birthday functions. But now we are confined mostly to the rural areas only. But the State government departments – be it the election commission or APSACS or NACO — still hire us and that is our staple diet,” said Mr. Sekhar.

Sekhar Babu who heads a three-member team along with his son M. Prasanth Kumar is one among the four teams engaged by the administration to tour the district and spread the message through street plays, Burrakatha and Yakshagana.

According to Sekhar Babu, they are the descendants of the folk artistes who once enthralled the famed kings and subjects of Vijayanagar Empire in the 16th century.

Settled in Gudivada

“About 1,000 families moved out after the empire fell to the Deccan Sultanates in the 17 century. We first moved to the Telangana region and then about 100 years ago about 40 families moved to Eluru in West Godavari. And now about 10 families have settled down in and around Gudivada in Krishna district,” he said.

Though time has flown by, these families, who have been safe guarding the art of mesmerising the crowd with their witty plays and songs, have not changed much.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Sumit Bhattacharjee / Vijayawada – April 10th, 2014