Category Archives: World Opinion

The glorious pages of our rich history

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion
Khusrau espies Shirin bathing, a page from the ‘Khamsa-e-Nizami’ book. / Photo: Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Khusrau espies Shirin bathing, a page from the ‘Khamsa-e-Nizami’ book. / Photo: Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Bearing excellent paintings, richly illuminated and gilded, the fine-bound manuscripts at Salar Jung Museum are real treasures.

Salar Jung Museum contains some ‘valuable books of art’— illustrated manuscripts — of Persian and Deccani languages. Bearing excellent paintings, richly illuminated and gilded, fine-bound and owned once by royal personages the Museum’s manuscripts are real treasures.

Manuscript illustration was greatly prized by Mughal emperors, their nobles and Deccani Sultans. Akbar who had 100 artists – painters, illuminators, scribes, book binders – in his atelier had many manuscripts including Hamza Nama, Ramayana, Mahabharata illustrated. His principal noble at Ahmedabad, Khan Khanan, built up a world class library containing illustrated manuscripts. Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah, who ruled Golconda from 1550 to 1580, had set up a studio in his palace for calligraphers, painters, gilders and book binders and had manuscripts of fine quality produced.

‘The art books’ of the royal workshops form a priceless heritage, “at times of regal splendour…. and always a joy to behold” (Karl Khandalavala).

Of Salar Jung Museum’s famous illustrated manuscripts, a description of four books is attempted here. They are: Tuhfe-e-Sami, Majalis-ul-ushshaq, Khamsa-e-nizami, and Diwan-e-sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.

1. Tuhfe-e-Sami: The author of this 229-folio Persian manuscripts is Prince Sam Mirza (1517-76), son of Shah Ismail, the founder of Safavid dynasty in Persia. Prince Sam Mirza dedicated Tuhfa containing biographies of poets, painters, calligrgaphers and other learned men to his brother Shah Tahmasp (1524-76), the ruler of Persia who, however, put ‘Sam’ to death in 1576 when he rebelled against him. The manuscript is gilded and highly ornamented. Done in Shirazi style of Persia the Thufa’s ten miniatures “are of excellent quality and very colourful with charming colour contrast’’ (Karl Khandalavala).

The manuscript scripted in fine Nastaliq bears a seal of the year of A.D. 1651 of one Mustafa Khan Lari, who was probably a Golconda noble.

2. Majalis-ul-ushshaq ( Assemblies of lovers): Purchased by Sir Salar Jung I (1829-83), ‘Majalis-ul-ushshaq’ is an account in Persian of the Sufi saints being in love with women and men. Sufi doctrines explain that to experience the beauty of the ‘unseen’ God the first step is the worldly love – love of women and men. The power and course of such love as experienced by some Sufi saints is depicted in majority of the 71 miniatures contained in the manuscript.

The book has a lot of gold used in decorating its 237 folios, headings and borders. The painting style of its miniatures is of Shirazi school of Persia.

The author of this manuscript is Mansur bin Baiqara (1469-1506) who wrote it in 1552. The script is good Nastaliq and the scribe is Amir-al-katib.

3. Khamsa-e-nizami: The Khamsa (five-piece verse collection) of the poet Nizami, a Persian poet, is one of the most famous Persian works and there are numerous illustrated copies of it in Persian and Mughal schools of painting. The Mughal style Museum’s Khamsa was purchased in 1739 for the library of Nawab Munirddoulah Wakil-us-sultan (Prime Minister). It consists of five ‘mathnavis’ (long poems) dealing with the stories of Laila-Majnun, Khusrau-Shirin, King Behraum Gaur, Sikandar and Sufism.

It contains five unwans (title pages), gilded and highly ornamented. Its 325 creamish folios are gold sprinkled. Its eleven full-page miniatures show animals, brilliantly drawn and figures, finely painted. Dated A.D.1618, the scribe of Khamsa is Fatah Muhammed bin Moulana Sahib Katib and the script is good Nastaliq.

The manuscript bears the seal of Lutfullah khan, a noble of Mughal family, who appears to have died in Golconda when Aurangazeb was engaged in conquering the fort.

4. Diwan-e-sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah: Written in ‘Zubane-deccani’ by Sultan Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah who ruled from Golconda between 1581 and 1611 is regarded as the earliest poet in Deccani language(Urdu). He founded the city of Hyderabad and built the famous Charminar. His ‘Diwan’(odes) deals with subjects like sports and games, royal palaces, seasons and description of his 17 mistresses.

Dated 1595, the Diwan has eight miniatures, all gems of miniature art. It was written by Moulana Zainuddin, Khushnawis (calligrapher) of the Sultan. The paper used is gold sprinkled. The script is excellent Thulth. It has 138 handsome folios.

Deputy Keeper (Retd.), Salar Jung Museum

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by B. Kotaiah / September 19th, 2013

Shell, GDF Suez to be part of LNG floating terminal project

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

In-principle agreement has been reached with the two international firms for the FSRU at Kakinada Deepwater Port

An in-principle agreement has been reached to resolve the peculiar situation where two reputed international companies are interested in constructing the first Floating LNG Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) in the East Coast at Kakinada Deepwater Port.

The AP Gas Distribution Company had tied up with the GDF Suez LNG UK Ltd., as its strategic partner through international bidding and signed an MoU with Kakinada Seaport Ltd., the concessionaire of the Kakinada Deepwater Port for the execution of the Rs.5,000-crore project in May this year.

However, the State government later realised that the Royal Dutch Shell, Europe’s largest oil company, had also been working on building a floating LNG of up to five million tonne per annum capacity off Kakinada. Since two projects in the same location were not viable, a meeting was held in New Delhi recently where it was tentatively agreed to involve both the multinationals.

Minister for Infrastructure Ganta Srinivasa Rao said the issue was cleared by Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy who ordered a Special Purpose Vehicle to be constituted for executing the unit.

Stakes

Meanwhile, sources said that it had been agreed that the public sector APGDC would have 44 per cent stake in the floating terminal project, Shell and GDF Suez would have 30 per cent and 26 per cent stake respectively and the Kakinada Seaport Ltd., three per cent.

The meeting also reviewed pending issues related to Petronet LNG project at Gangavaram port, a joint venture project between Petronet and the Gangavaram Port Ltd. The Rs. 5,000-crore project would have initial capacity of five million tonnes per year. The gas to be supplied by the floating terminals to power and fertilizer plants would generate Rs.5,000 crore revenue annually to the State through VAT, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said.

The Chief Minister asked the officials to convene a coordination meeting within 10 days to resolve all the pending issues for the key I&I projects including Machilipatnam port and Chittoor drinking water project.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 28th, 2013

Shell to join GAIL’s Kakinada LNG project with 30% stake

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Sources privy to talks said Shell, GAIL and the AP government are talking about the possible equity structure

ShellHF07dec2013

Royal Dutch Shell, Europe’s largest oil company, is likely to take a 30% stake in state-owned GAIL India Ltd’s proposed floating liquefied natural gas import terminal project at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.

Shell last year had announced plans to build a floating LNG of up to 5 million tonnes per annum capacity off Kakinada coast in a JV with Anil Ambani Group firm  Reliance Power .
But Reliance Power earlier this year exited the project and now Shell has decided to join the GAIL-led project which was announced in 2011.
Sources privy to talks said Shell, GAIL and the AP government are talking about the possible equity structure.
Shell, they said, may take 30% stake. Europe’s largest LNG importer GDF Suex UK with whom GAIL originally planned the Kakinada terminal will take 26%.
The remaining 44% will be held by Andhra Pradesh Gas Distribution Corp Ltd a company jointly promoted by GAIL Gas Ltd and Andhra Pradesh Gas Infrastructure Corp Pvt Ltd.
GAIL Gas is wholly-owned subsidiary of GAIL India.
When contacted, a Shell India spokesperson said: “Shell can confirm that the company is in exploratory discussions with GAIL and other potential partners on the Kakinada LNG project. As the discussions are still preliminary, we cannot comment on any specifics at the moment.”
Sources said the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit in offshore Andhra Pradesh will be commissioned by 2015.
The import terminal would have a 3.5-5 million tonnes per annum capacity and will be used to cater to gas demand in Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states.
While Shell already operates a 5 million tonne LNG import facility at Hazira in Gujarat, GDF Suez is present in India in the natural gas business since 1997, with a 10% stake in Petronet, the owner of LNG import terminals in Dahej and Kochi.
FSRU is a faster and low-cost solution for LNG importation. This is the first of its kind in India.
Kakinada is also the landfall point of billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries’ flagging KG-D6 gas fields in the Bay of Bengal, and a near 1,400-km line carries the fuel from to consumption centres in the west.
The continuing fall in KG-D6 output has triggered a rush for setting up of LNG import facilities to meet the growing energy demands.
Petronet LNG – the nation’s largest importer of gas in its liquid form in ships– too is building a 5 million tonne facility at Gangavaram in Andhra Pradesh by 2016.
In intervening period to the construction of the Rs 4,000 crore Gangavaram terminal, Petronet plans to hire a floating LNG terminal to begin imports of fuel immediately.
State refiner Indian Oil Corp also is doing a front-end engineering and design study for a terminal at Ennore in Tamil Nadu.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by Press Trust of India / New Delhi – November 24th, 2013

Young entrepreneurs line up with ideas at Startup weekend

Business & Economy, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

The fourth Startup Weekend event in the city saw hearty participation from first-time entrepreneurs who slogged it out to turn an idea into a prototype within 54 hours.

Startup Weekend is a Seattle based non-profit organization which conducts this event once every year. Participants pitch business ideas on Friday and develop a working prototype or a presentation over the weekend. Besides Hyderabad, the event takes places in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

This year, the event saw nearly 50 ideas being floated by the 60 people who attended it. Of these, 11 ideas were selected for further development. The teams were mentored by venture capitalists and successful entrepreneurs in their bid to prepare a prototype for a presentation before the panel of judges on Sunday.

A few ideas that were selected for implementation include Teleport – a product that helps share environment with others through Google Glass, ThenWat – a web platform that can provide the sentiment of a text, Green Shopping – that avoids paper bills by making a digital bill, and Panic Controller – a device that can broadcast panic messages meant for safety of children and women.

Evan Luthra, whose team is working on Teleport, said that there are only five applications for Glass available and their idea taps a huge market potential. “Our application can capture pictures through Glass when the eye winks and also capture a degree panorama to share the environment of the wearer with rest of the world,” Luthra said

Though most paranoramaticipants were in the 20-25 age bracket, the event also saw younger people pitch their ideas. Sixteen-year-old B Vivek Kiran, who pitched two ideas, said the event “is an ideal platform to start out early”. His ideas included a banking application and a website that would help school and college students procure electronic components in a short time.

One of the organizers, Rahul Sanghi, said that the event has witnessed better participation this time. “We are seeing more participants hang around to develop a prototype and convince the judges. This is positive for the spirit of entrepreneurship ,” he said.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad> Google Glass / TNN / November 24th, 2013

TASL seeks approval to expand chopper facility at Hyderabad

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Hyderabad:

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), which has a chopper cabin manufacturing facility in an SEZ owned by Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd here, sought government’s approval to expand its facility to manufacture additional defence-related products.

TAShf04dec2013

The Board of Approvals under the Ministry of Commerce which has gone through the request made by the Tatas advised the Department of Commerce to obtain the views of the Ministries of Home and Defence before granting the permission for product expansion.

“The Board noted that the unit has sought approval for additional products relating to defence. The Board, after deliberations decided that the views of M/o Defence and M/o Home Affairs be obtained by DoC and the matter be processed further on file by DoC after taking into account the comments so received,” the minutes of the BoA meeting held on November 8, said.

TASL, a fully-owned subsidiary of TATA Sons, has been set to address the business areas of Defence, Aerospace, Aero- Structures and Homeland Security.

In June 2009, Sikorsky and TASL entered into an agreement for production of S-92 helicopter cabins in India, and in November of the same year, Sikorsky and TASL entered into a joint-venture for production of more than 5,000 detailed aerospace components in India.

TASL requested the BoA for manufacturing and export of additional products with regard of aerostructures, equipment, systems and propulsion systems, for military aircraft (both fixed with and rotary aircraft) and military helicopters.TASL, a fully-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, has been set to address the business areas of Defence, Aerospace, Aero- Structures and Homeland Security.

In June 2009, Sikorsky and TASL entered into an agreement for production of S-92 helicopter cabins in India, and in November of the same year, Sikorsky and TASL entered into a joint-venture for production of more than 5,000 detailed aerospace components in India.

TASL requested the BoA for manufacturing and export of additional products with regard of aerostructures, equipment, systems and propulsion systems, for military aircraft (both fixed with and rotary aircraft) and military helicopters.

The JV of TASL and Sikorsky recently announced that its S-92 helicopter cabin production has become 100 per cent indigenous. The JV also said it completed another significant milestone in October by producing its 50th S-92 helicopter cabin. The TASL facility now has the capacity to produce up to four cabins a month and is responsible for future design modifications.

source: http://www.zeenews.india.com / ZEEBIZ.com / Home> Business> Companies / by PTI / November 19th, 2013

Rahul lifts State’s glory to greater heights

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Ragala Venkat Rahul / The Hindu
Ragala Venkat Rahul / The Hindu

Ragala Venkata Rahul wins two gold medals at the Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship in Penang

Ragala Venkata Rahul, 17, lived up to the expectations with yet another impressive performance, winning two gold medals in the youth and junior categories at the ongoing Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship in Penang (Malaysia) on Friday afternoon.

Rahul has won gold in the 77-kg category with a combined effort of 301 kg (140 in snatch and 160 in clean and jerk). The A.P. boy came up with similar efforts in both the categories to clinch the honours.

“I am delighted. My coaches are expecting better results after my recent performances in international meets. So, there was a little bit of pressure, but thanks to the support of the entire Indian contingent, I could pull of a gold medal,” says a beaming Rahul, a student of A.P. Sports School, Hakimpet.

Rahul looks at the latest gold as a “huge morale-booster” for the coming year in which some big events are lined up like the 2014 Asian Games.

“I hope to continue my good work till that mega event and come back home with a medal,” says the shy weightlifter.

“Competition is tough at this level, and it is never easy to win gold in any Asian meet, as every country looks to this event as a preparatory event for the major events ahead,” he says, thanking his mentor and secretary of A.P. Weightlifting Association Badeti Venkatramaiah (also in Penang as a technical official).

Rahul bagged a gold medal in the 77-kg category with a combined lift of 310 kg at the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing (China) after winning three gold in the Asian Youth Championship early this year. His other notable performances include two medals in the IWF Youth Boys World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, early this year.

A.P. Sports School weightlifting coach Surmise Achou Singh of Manipur, who fine-tuned Rahul’s raw talent in the company of his deputy Pachipala Manikyalu, is not surprised.

“Rahul is a potential medallist in the 2016 Rio Olympics. He has all the qualities to be a world-class weightlifter, and more exposure at the highest level will only help to improve his performances,” attests the 67-year-old proud coach.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 29th, 2013

Local boy Ahmed wins Asian silver, creates waves

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Mohammad Ahmed with the silver medal he won at the recent Asian Rowing Championship, at the Hussainsagar in Hyderabad on Tuesday. — Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Mohammad Ahmed with the silver medal he won at the recent Asian Rowing Championship, at the Hussainsagar in Hyderabad on Tuesday. — Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

After a silver at the Asian Rowing Championship – the latest addition to the many feathers in his cap, this 20-year-old has set his sights on greater glory

For a sport dominated by personnel from the Services, 20-year-old local boy Mohammed Ahmed has managed to surprise, and delight all. He is now virtually the non-playing captain of the coxed eights Indian rowing team.

His recent silver in the Asian Rowing Championship in China shone bright in his smile as he returned to the Hussainsagar on Tuesday.

The son of Mohammed Ismail, a meat-seller from Kavadiguda, Ahmed took to the sport after one of his routine trips to the lake along with his father three years ago. Dronacharya Ismail Baig suggested the boy take up rowing. What ensued was rowing’s gain.

Ahmed won gold in the Kolkata Senior Nationals in the coxed four event, bronze in the Hyderabad Nationals in the coxed eight team and later a silver in the Asian championship later on in Korea. All these vindicated the faith shown by Baig, the untiring coach who has been shaping the destiny of most rowers in Hyderabad for close to 13 years now.

“I am enjoying every moment. Thanks to Ismail sir, I can now dream big,” the shy youngster says, even as he proudly displays his medal to his famed coach.

What exactly is this young rower’s role in a coxed eights event?

“Well, he is like a guide, telling the teammates when to accelerate in the course, how the conditions are at a given time. Otherwise, the rowers will be busy unleashing their power to keep up the pace. It is a very demanding job. Though he doesn’t row, it requires high levels of focus,” Mr. Baig says.

Ahmed, who adores cricketer Virat Kohli (he even tries to sport a similar hairstyle), plays cricket and badminton to relax after hard work in the waters. A student of St. Antony’s High School, this shy rower was only recently drafted into the CRPF, and will be reporting for duty next week.

“My next big target is to win a medal in the next year’s Asian Games and then think about the Olympics. I owe everything to my coach sir and to the Federation officials for backing me up,” Ahmed signs off.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – October 01st, 2013

Japan to provide Rs. 1958 crore assistance to IIT Hyderabad

Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Shinya Ejima, Chief Representative, JICA India. / File photo: Kamal Narang / The Hindu
Shinya Ejima, Chief Representative, JICA India. / File photo: Kamal Narang / The Hindu

Japan will extend an assistance of Rs. 1,958 crore (30.7 billion yen) to India for Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad and investment promotion programme in Tamil Nadu.

An agreement to this effect was exchanged in New Delhi on Tuesday between Rajesh Khullar, Joint Secretary in the Finance Ministry and Takeshi Yagi, Ambassador of Japan to India, according to a statement issued by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The statement said an amount of Rs. 1,129 crore will be provided for the second phase of campus development at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Hyderabad. Further, JICA will provide Rs. 829 crore for the Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Programme. The objective of the Tamil Nadu programme is to support policy implementation to improve the investment climate in Tamil Nadu, thereby easing business hurdles for foreign investors.

This would include development of infrastructure such as road, power supply, water and sewerage systems, especially those for factories and industrial zones in the Chennai metropolitan area, where international manufacturers have set up factories.

“Development of the manufacturing sector is a key for faster growth and job creation in India. India needs foreign direct investment (FDI) in manufacturing and that can happen only if quality infrastructure is developed,” chief representative of JICA in India Shinya Ejima said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Business> Economy / by Sujay Mehdudia / New Delhi – November 12th, 2013

The Turkish connection

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion
Indialogue Foundation director Osman Kayaoglu talks about the places to see in Turkey as he holds a traditional Turkish vase. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
Indialogue Foundation director Osman Kayaoglu talks about the places to see in Turkey as he holds a traditional Turkish vase. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

As the Turkish Consulate gets ready to set up office in Hyderabad, Neeraja Murthy finds a Turkey-Hyderabad connect

Enter the first floor of Learnium School on Road No. 44, Jubilee Hills and you’ll find a slice of Turkey in Hyderabad. On the walls is a Turkish Corner that displays photographs of ‘Turk folklor’, a Turkish bride, ‘Turk Lokumu’ among other things. Move around and there is a Indo-Turk Corner and photographs of famous Turkish palaces. As we soak in the pictures, we hear the booming voice of Sevim Kayaogolu calling out “Bir, iki, uch, dort… “(one, two, three four… in Turkish). She is teaching a Turkish dance to a group of young girls who are dancing to the beats of Yeni bir dunya, dressed in their traditional Turkish dresses.

Sevim (in the centre) joins a group of girls dancing to the tune of Turkish song ‘Yeni bir dunya’./ Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
Sevim (in the centre) joins a group of girls dancing to the tune of Turkish song ‘Yeni bir dunya’./ Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

“The students are presenting this Turkish dance for the Parents Day meeting,” informs Sevim. The school (will be called Iqbalia International School) run by a Trust (which also includes Turkish people) teaches Turkish language art, dance and culture to its students, in addition to its regular CBSE syllabus. Osman Kayaogolu, director of Indialogue Foundation’s second year in Hyderabad, calls the city ‘historical’. “Among the different cities in India, Hyderabad has a beautiful history,” he says and adds, “Turkey and Hyderabad share a lot in common in culture. We have given our daughters here in marriage – Princess Durru Shehvar who married Azam Jah, Princesses Esin and Esra have also come to Hyderabad after marriage.”

Osman talks about the ‘royal’ similarity between the two regions. “The Chowmahalla Palace looks like a replica of Dolmabahche palace, only the former is smaller. It is said that the Chowmahalla was built for Durru Shehvar so that she would feel at home in a place that reminds her of Turkey,” he smiles.

Indialogue Foundation, the Turkish cultural centre acts as a hub for the 15 Turkish families living in Hyderabad. “We get together here during religious ceremonies like Eid and we organise inter-faith seminars, talks, conferences and cultural programmes. We arrange business meetings between Turkish and Indian businessmen and also organise Turkish celebrations.”

Osman says the Turks enjoy their stay in the city. “The climate is nice and we enjoy eating biryani which is like our not-so-spicy Osmani pulao. We have made many friends here and people are affectionate too.”

What baffles Osman however is the way friendly Hyderabadis behave while driving on roads. “During busy traffic, they are not at all friendly and act differently,” he says with a smile. The Turkish women volunteers try to spread their art and culture in the city. Osman and his group of friends also play football every Sunday. “We don’t know about cricket, but now our children are picking up the game in Hyderabad.”

There is also good news for the Turkish families in the city with the Turkish Consulate coming up here. “The Turkish Consulate General Murat Omeroglu is in Hyderabad with his family and the work to establish the Consulate has begun. The process might take six months,” says Osman.

Osman says Turkish people in the city do miss their family and friends back home as well as Turkish food; but they have found a home away from home here.

“Hyderabad is our second home. Merhaba Hydarabad (Salaam Hyderabad),” he signs off.

Short film contest

Indialogue Foundation and Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad had organised a Indialogue Short Film Contest 2013on the theme ‘Peaceful Coexistence” which aimed to foster universally shared values among public .

The contest had two categories – YouTube award and Jury award. Emrah Alpaslan from Saritha Vidya Niketan with his short film titled Dedicated Life won the YouTube award with 2100+ views. Jhilam Chattaraj, from University of Hyderabad with her movie In Search of History was selected for the Jury award.

Both the awards carried a prize money of Rs. 35,000 each.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Neeraja Murthy / November 19th, 2013

International Children’s Film Fest begins in Hyderabad

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion

Hyderabad:

Promising to be a rich ensemble of films from across the globe, the 18th International Children’s Film Festival of India (ICFFI) would get underway here.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy would inaugurate the week-long event in the presence of Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tiwari, veteran lyricist Gulzar and Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor.

State Information and Cinematography Minister D K Aruna said the government had made elaborate arrangements for the jamboree.

About 200 films from 48 countries would be screened in 12 theatres across the city during the festival and an estimated 1,50,000 children are expected to turn up.

The minister said 3-D movies would be shown for the first time, along with 20 best films sourced from Cannes, Berlin and Toronto international festivals.

Czech films will be the ‘Country Focus’ in the festival, which would showcase a diligently curated package of children’s films from the Czech Republic, right from 1950s to some of their recent productions.

Debates and open forums would also be conducted on topics like film-making, animation, script-writing and child rights as part of the festival.

“The Children’s Film Society of India has selected ‘Gopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya’ for screening at the inaugural of the Children’s film festival of India,” said an official release.

The 78-minute animation film, directed by Shilpa Ranade, is the fabulous story of Gopi and Bagha, a pair of musicians gifted with magical powers by the King of Ghosts, which has been a stellar success, it said.

The film is the Hindi version of the iconic film-maker Satyajit Ray’s popular Bengali film ‘Gupi Gayen Bagha Bayen’.

The special film will be the main attraction at the inaugural event at Lalit Kala Thoranam tomorrow, the release added.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / IBN Live / Home / by Press Trust of India / Hyderabad – November 14th, 2013