Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Raj Gonds’ Rajul Pen puja kicks off year-long festivities

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Travel
Raj Gond villagers at the Rajul Pen puja community feasting at Chaupanguda in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district. | Photo Credit: S_HARPALSINGH

A celebration of their relationship with, and respect for nature

A quick glance at the Raj Gond Adivasis’ religious customs in the erstwhile united Adilabad district will reveal their symbiotic relationship with nature. In the context of Rajul Pen puja, or worship of the forest god, the annual loss to environment in the form of dwindled trees and pastures also gets quantified.

The informal discussions among the ethnic people attending this year’s Rajul Pen puja at Chaupanguda village in Kerameri mandal of Kumram Bheem Asifabad district on June 26 centered on the delay in cattle arriving at the venue of the event. “Loss of pastures forces our animals to venture farther in search of fodder,” pointed out Kathle Yadav Shau, an elder, as he explained the reasons for the delay. This festival takes place in the first half of Akadi month, which usually coincides with the second half of June. The Puja for which every village fixes its own date for celebration also kick-starts the year-long cultural festivals and religious events of the aboriginals. The puja involves community participation and feasting, starting five days after the new moon day or amavasya, falling in June, and continues till full moon day.

Man and nature

Only men of the village assemble at a spot in the nearby forest and worship Rajul Pen. The puja is a simple affair as the Devari or priest of the village offers nivodh or naivedyam — cooked from the foodgrains contributed by every family in the village — to the god which is embodied in the small ochre-smeared stones.

Also worshipped are the centuries-old bison horns used by local shepherds to keep their flock together and the axes they use to cut fodder. A goat or chicken is sacrificed as part of the puja.

The farm animals, as well as goat and sheep, which graze in the forests also form an important part of the worship. The nivodh is sprinkled on the animals assembled near the venue as forest god’s blessings.

“We are allowed to pluck teak and moduga (Butea monosperma) leaves only after the Rajul Pen puja is performed. It is a must for us to use the teak leaves as plates for feasting after the puja but the availability is slowly decreasing owing to loss of the species,” revealed Athram Barik Rao, headman or patel of Chaupanguda. “Plates made of these leaves were in use for centuries,” said Kathle Yadav Shau. “The leaves mature only at this time and hence the restriction of not taking them off trees before the puja,” he added.

Honouring herders

The most important aspect of the festival is the prominence given to the gaiki or cowherds, herre gollal or goatherds, and gollal or shepherds in the village. “These people graze our animals traditionally and are responsible for their safety, hence merit a pride of place in the celebrations,” pointed out Kursenga Dharma Rao, another elder.

“No one eats until the herders are fed on this day,” said Athram Telang Rao, to emphasise the herders’ importance. The herders take charge of their herds soon after the villagers end feasting for another important component of the festival — the Auswal Patt.

The Auswal Patt, or animal crossing has all the grazing animals in the village crossing a sacred line drawn by the village Devari close to the puja venue. “We believe that the animals crossing the sacred line will protect them from diseases,” asserted Athram Kusum Rao.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by S. Harpal Singh / Adilabad – June 29th, 2018

State funeral for Venu Madhav

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion

CM, Governor, Ministers convey condolences

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao have expressed their heartfelt condolences on the demise of renowned Mimicry artist and Padmasri awardee Nerella Venu Madhav on Tuesday.

Condolences also poured in from various sections of people who expressed their sense of shock over the death of Venu Madhav (85).

Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao described Venu Madhav as a person who brought name and fame to the mimicry art as well as universal recognition to it. He became famous as a grand old man of mimicry and strove hard to include mimicry art in the educational syllabus.

In his death, the artiste world has lost a great personality, Mr. Rao said and conveyed his condolences to the members of the bereaved family.

Venu Madhav was born on December 28 in 1932 in Mattewada of Warangal and he served as an MLC from 1972 to 1978. He has been ailing for sometime. Recipient of several accolades for his mimicry shows performed nationally and internationally, Venu Madhav was honoured during the recent State Formation Day by the State Government.

Chief Minister issued instructions to the Chief Secretary that funeral of the renowned artist be conducted with State honours, according to a release.

Governor Narasimhan in his message expressed shock at the sudden demise of Venu Madhav and said he was a multi-faceted personality with unsurpassed talent.

Housing and Endowments Minister Indrakaran Reddy in his message said Venu Madhav’s death would create a void in the field of mimicry.

YSR Congress President Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy said Venu Madhav brought international recognition to Telugu people through his inimitable mimicry and he has innumerable fans in both the Telugu States.

He mimicked in several Indian languages and also mimicked popular Hollywood actors and won the hearts of people with his humour and mimicry.

Telangana BC Commission senior member Vakulabharanam Krishna Mohanrao said demise of great mimicry artist Venu Madhav was a great loss and Telangana State was proud of him.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – June 20th, 2018

Red Cross awards for promotion of blood donation

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Resources of Free Materials
Governor E.S.L Narasimhan giving away the best motivator award to TNGOs Association district president A. Kishan at a function at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad on Thursday. | Photo Credit: Arrangement

Governor presents award to TNGOs dist. president A. Kishan

The erstwhile united district secured two awards each for promotion of blood donation and conduct of blood donation camps under the aegis of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) for the year 2016-17.

Governor E.S.L. Narsimhan at a function held at Raj Bhavan on Thursday handed over the best motivator award to TNGOs’ Association district president Aluka Kishan and best blood donor award to Totla Rajeswar for Nizamabad district while to the Collector N. Satyanarayana and E.T. Rajashekar in Kamareddy district.

Mr. Kishan motivated the donors to contribute 1,000 units of blood to the IRCS blood bank while Mr. Rajeswar donated his rare group blood (AB negative) 50 times.

The Kamareddy Collector facilitated youth, NGOs and various volunteers for donating blood by conducting and addressing several meetings. Mr. Rajashekar donated blood for 91 times.

The Governor complimented and honoured them.

The Indian Red Cross Society district chairman N. Ramchander, secretary B. Anjaneyulu, treasurer K. Ravinder, State managing committee member T. Rajashekar were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Nizamabad – June 15th, 2018

Stone age tools found near Hyderabad

About Telangana, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion

Archeologists have found a hand axe and hammer stone from a place just outside Hyderabad that they believe is from the stone age—the paleolithic era.

Stone age hammer discovered on the outskirts of Hyderabad at Athvelly in Medal district | Express photo

Hyderabad :

What do we know about Hyderabad’s or Telangana’s ancient history, beyond stories of Qutb Shahis, Nizams, Kakatiyas or Satavahanas? Maybe reports of megalithic burials from iron age being discovered in the State.

But now, archeologists have found a hand axe and hammer stone from a place just outside Hyderabad that they believe is from the stone age—the paleolithic era. The tools, that were found at Athvelly which lies about 35 km away from the city in Medchal district, indicate that there’s much left to be explored about Telangana’s history.

The tools were found by E Sai Krishna of Hyderabad, a Ph.D scholar in Archaeology from Deccan College in Pune and an Assistant Archaeologist with Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) in the Amravati circle. Krishna showed his findings to Dr K Padayya, Emeritus Professor at Deccan College, a Padma Shri awardee and expert in Paleolithic and Neolithic cultures of the Deccan.

When contacted by Express, Dr Padayya said: “Findings of Krishna are actually stray discoveries as they do not belong to a regular site. However, it is an important beginning because these findings hint at fact that the area is rich in paleolithic archaeology. Speaking to Express, Krishna said, “I am interested to find out more about the prehistory of Hyderabad and surrounding districts.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. Nilesh, Express News Service / June 15th, 2018

Prime posting for journalist from Hyderabad

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Leaders, Nri's / PIO's, Records, All, World Opinion

Joins Columbia Journalism School

Columbia Journalism School announced on Monday that Raju Narisetti, a leading digital media executive and editor, will join the faculty as Professor of Professional Practice and also serve as the new director of the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in Economics and Business Journalism.

Mr. Narisetti is from Hyderabad and did his B.A. (Economics) from Osmania University and an MBA from IRMA in India. He also holds an M.A. from Indiana University, lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Kim Barrington Narisetti, and daughters Leila and Zola.

“I am delighted to join the journalism faculty and also lead the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship program at Columbia University,” he said in a release. He recently served as chief executive of Gizmodo Media Group and earlier, was News Corp’s senior vice president of strategy. He also spent 14 years at The Wall Street Journal, starting as a summer intern in 1991 and becoming an Editor too.

He also served as the managing editor for digital and new products at The Washington Post, has been Founder-Editor of Mint. He began his business journalism career at The Economic Times in New Delhi, and his U.S. journalism career at The Dayton Daily News.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – June 06th, 2018

3-day Telugu drama fest

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The mandal headquarters town of Charla is set to host a three-day Telugu drama festival from June 2 to 4.

Devabakthuni Nandeeshwarudu Nataka Kala Parishat has been organising the annual festival for the past several years to promote theatre arts, said event organisers.

Artistes belonging to various theatre troupes from different parts of the State and also from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh will showcase their talent during the three-day cultural event slated to begin at Kala Bhavan on Saturday evening.

A troupe from Hyderabad will stage the inaugural play titled Kanneeti Katha.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Bhadradri – Kothagudem, June 01st, 2018

‘Red Star’ Madala no more

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
HYDERABAD, TELANGANA, 27-05-2018: Former Union Minster and Actor Chiranjeevi consoling the family members after paying homage to Actor and producer Madala Ranga Rao at Flim Nagar in Hyderabad. Photo: K.V.S. Giri | Photo Credit: K.V.S. GIRI

He shot into fame with ‘Youvatharam Kadilindi’ in 1980

Madala Ranga Rao, considered the original revolutionary hero of Tollywood with path-breaking films in the 80s, promoting the Leftist ideology, passed away on Sunday morning at a private hospital in the city.

Nicknamed Red Star by the industry and film-lovers, Ranga Rao was 71 and he had been suffering from heart-related ailment for some time. He was operated upon last year for heart ailment and was recovering. He had been associated with the CPI’s cultural wing for a long time before he ventured into films, promoting the same ideology.

Though he started his career with Chairman Chalamayya, a political satire, he shot into fame with ‘Youvatharam Kadilindi’ in 1980 and bagged the Golden Nandi award. He didn’t look back for nearly a decade with super-hits, including Erra Mallelu, Mahaprasthanam, Viplava Shankham, Praja Shakti, Erra Suryudu and Swarajyam Maro Kurukshetram. Some of these were golden jubilees, a rare achievement in the era of big heroes. There was a huge fan following for him, among the youngsters particularly.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and CPI leader K. Narayana also condoled the death of Ranga Rao.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – May 28th, 2018

Telangana bird-loving duo bring out a field guide

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Enthusiastic forest officer and researcher record rare species of Kagaznagar, which hosts 250 species

Apart from ardent birdwatchers, even those with a rudimentary knowledge of the winged wonders will swear that the fliers add a dash of colour to the surroundings to the place to live in.

Whether it’s a ‘detested’ common crow or endangered birds such as vultures, there is immense diversity among birds. contribute much in making the universe as attractive as it is.

In the wooded environs of Bejjur and Penchikalpet Forest Ranges, among others, in Kagaznagar Forest Division in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district, there are a number of avian species thriving.

In a bid to capture and document this, the Telangana Forest Department has come out with a 62-page field guide titled Birds of Kagaznagar Forest Division, which lists about 250 species, a few belonging to the rare category. About 60% of the images in the guide have come from Bejjur Forest Range.

Bejjur’s fame

Few know that the incidental discovery of the now famous habitat of the critically endangered Indian vulture or the Long Billed vulture (Gyps indicus) in Bejjur also set the Forest Range Officer (FRO) M. Ram Mohan and later wildlife biologist and field researcher M. Ravikanth on a mission to catalogue the avian varieties seen in the forest.

“I started shooting pictures of local birds in 2013 after the vulture discovery not as a dedicated activity, but as part of my travels inside the 260 sq. km of the forest under my jurisdiction,” said Mr. Ram Mohanto The Hindu, tracing the developments in Bejjur since the work began.

His association with the knowledgeable members of the Birdwatchers Society of Andhra Pradesh had the FRO gaining deeper insight into the world of birds and this eventually resulted in a painstakingly assembled collection of photos of about 130 different kinds of birds.

This includes the painted sand grouse and tree creeper of which no sighting records are available for over a decade-and-a-half.

Trove of images

Mr. Ravikanth was appointed as a field researcher in 2015 and has since been actively involved in vulture conservation as well as photography of birds and cataloguing the different species.

His collection of pictures of avian diversity equals that of the FRO.

Create awareness

Kagaznagar Forest Divisional Officer A. Narasimha Reddy supported the publication of the book published within six months of his taking charge.

“I even used the services of professional photographers and others in collecting photos from other ranges in my Division too, which made this field guide possible to fulfill the aim of creating awareness among people and the forest staff,” he revealed.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by S. Harpal Singh / Adilabad – April 29th, 2018

Guruji Ravinder Sharma passes away

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Travel
An file picture of Guruji Ravinder Sharma. | Photo Credit: S_HARPALSINGH

Founder of Adilabad’s Kala Ashram was suffering from cancer

Ravinder Sharma, fondly called Guruji, the founder of Adilabad’s Kala Ashram died at his house early on Sunday at the age of 65 years. He leaves behind his wife, a son and daughter. Guruji was suffering from cancer since the last three years and died in his sleep. The cremation will take place on Monday morning.

A trained artist, Guruji had been awarded with Kala Ratna by the Andhra Pradesh State government in 2014. After bifurcation of the State, the Telangana government awarded him the Ugadi Puraskaram in 2015. Guruji was also conferred the D. Litt (Honoris Causa) by the SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana the same year. He had won many an other minor awards during his life time. The death was condoled by Forest Minister Jogu Ramanna, Boath MLA Rathod Bapu Rao and others from Adilabad and elsewhere. Ravinder Sharma leaves behind a vacuum for his friends and followers of whom there are hundreds.

Born in a migrant Punjabi family, Ravinder Sharma studied in a local school and showed inclination towards understanding art and also the life of the artisan communities. This quest took him to villages and localities in a radius of 20 km and during the 20 year long journeys, he explored and studied the intricacies of rural life and local technologies.

During the two decade long journey he also collected artefacts and other material from rural areas. His collection includes a lot of material used by tribal people as part of their culture. Guruji emerged a treasure-trove of knowledge about rural economy and technologies, local practices and folk arts. His original and simplistic style of narration of the same infused with interesting insights and anecdotes and stories was easy to comprehend and often had a lasting impact on people who came to Kala Ashram from far and wide to hear him.

The artist-philosopher had lectured at many important fora across the country including the IITs.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Adilabad – April 30th, 2018

A riddle set in stone, waiting to be cracked

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Telugu-Sanskrit words engraved on undated stone edifice may offer insight into the region’s rich cultural heritage

A stone inscription, believed to date back to 13th Century A.D., standing majestically on the premises of Venugopala Swamy temple in Rajeshwarapuram of Nelakondapalli mandal, is waiting to be explored to offer an insight into the region’s glorious cultural heritage.

The ten-foot high undated stone inscription located adjacent to the Dwajasthambam on the precincts of the temple has stayed intact withstanding the vagaries of nature, but remained unexplored till date.

The inscription has several lines etched in Telugu-Kannada script akin to the pattern prevalent during the Kakatiya period. An impressive image of Lord Garuda adored with Shankam and Chakram is engraved on the top portion of the stone inscription.

Located about 30 km from Khammam on the Nelakondapalli-Kusumanchi main road, Rajeshwarapuram has a hoary past as is evident from a fort situated in the middle of the village albeit in a dilapidated condition and an old well that served as a prime source of irrigation during the bygone era.

The Telugu-Sanskrit words engraved indicate that it is related to donation of land to “Veeragopala devara” temple probably during the Kakatiya period, says historian Katta Srinivas, who recently conducted an independent study in Rajeshwarapuram on the historical significance of the village.

Sun, moon images

The stone edifice contains the images of sun and moon engraved on the top portion of it reinforcing the fact that it is an inscription. He stresses the need for establishing the exact date and other historical facts by enlisting the services of experts in epigraphy.

Rajeshwarapuram is endowed with historic structures, including a fort and an ancient irrigation structure besides Shaivite and Vaishnavite temples existing side by side, he notes, insisting on the intervention of the Archaeology Department to unravel the rich history of the village and conserve the historical edifices for posterity.

“Our village is part of Nelakondapalli mandal, the abode of ancient Buddhist Mahastupa and also the birthplace of legendary saint composer Bhakta Ramadasu,” says Veeranageswara Rao, a native of Rajeshwarapuram. The ancient Siva temples dating back to the Kakatiya period in Kusumanchi mandal are located just over 10 km from the village and the culturally rich region has potential to secure a prominent place on the tourism map of Telangana, he says with a sense of pride.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by P. Sridhar / Khammam – April 23rd, 2018