Indian Newslink December 15, 2017 Digital Edition

DECEMBER 15, 2017
02 Homelink
World Telugu Meet exalts cultural and social heritage
Festival and Conference in Hyderabad from December 15 to
19, 2017
Ratna Venkat
The South Indian State of
Telangana will receive
international limelight
and acclaim as it prepares
to host a Festival incorporating
cultural programmes and a
Conference, bringing glory to
Telugu-speaking people all over
the world.
Welcome to Hyderabad
‘Prapancha Telugu Mahasabhalu’
or ‘World Telugu Conference’
(WTC 2017) will be held in
Hyderabad City in the new South
Indian State showcasing and
celebrating the beauty of Telugu
literature, culture, society as well
as the historical contributions of
scholars and poets who originated
from the Telangana region.
WTC will be the first of its kind
under the leadership of Chief Minister
Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar
Rao, after the State formed in
2014.
It will be held from December
15 to December 19 and will
comprise various seminars,
literary discussions known as
‘Avadhanam’, poetry recitations,
cultural programmes comprising
music, dance, folk arts, theatre
and cinema.
In addition, Mr Rao has assured
that food courts, a book exhibition,
a handicraft sales emporium and
exhibitions by the Archaeological
Department will be a part of
WTC to enable national and
international visitors to have an
all-rounded and enlightening
experience during this five-day
Mela.
India and Beyond
Organised by the Government
of Telangana, Telangana Sahitya
Academy, its Chairman Nandini
Sidda Reddy and other members
of the Organising Committee,
have worked tirelessly to promote
this event to potential delegates
who are fans of Telugu language,
history and culture from across
India and the world.
Mahesh Bigala, the NRI Coordinator
for WTC 2017, has been responsible
for promoting this event
internationally. He has invited
Non-Resident Indians, the Telugu
Diaspora, community groups and
associations to participate in this
Telangana Chief Minister K C Rao has invited the Diaspora to visit the WTC 2017 being held
from December 15 to 19, 2017.
prestigious event.
About 6000 delegates have
already registered to attend WTC,
with representatives from 12
Indian States and 30 countries
including Australia, Canada,
Denmark, New Zealand, United
Kingdom and United States of
America.
The New Zealand Delegation
Among the members of the New
Zealand delegation to Hyderabad
are Telugu Rashtra Samithi New
Zealand President Vijay Reddy
Kosna, Telangana Association
President Kalyan Rao Kasuganti,
Director of Sangeeta Bharathi
School of Music Govardhan
Mallela and Telangana Jagruthi
President Aruna Jyothi Reddy.
This writer has been accorded
the privilege of being the ‘Telugu
Cultural Ambassador,’ performing
traditional Kuchipudi dance,
indigenous to Telangana and its
neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
A Living Language
It has long been assumed that
Sanskrit (from the Indo-European
family) and Tamil (from the
Dravidian family) are the only two
languages from India that have
been granted true ‘Classical’ status,
both being distinct from each
other in terms of script, letters and
pronunciation.
However, Telugu, with its long
history, was finally accepted to be
of ‘Classical’ status in 2016 after
evidence such as the ‘Kurikyala
Stone Edict’ in Jagital district that
had inscriptions of ‘Kanda Padhyalyu’
in Telugu, was presented by
the Telangana government to the
Madras High Court, with proof
that the language has been in
existence for over 1000 years.
Moreover, as a Kuchipudi artiste
performing for Telugu Classical
and Non-Classical music, I am
aware that Telugu has always
been a natural choice for ancient
and modern music composers as a
‘Musical Language.’
A New Telugu State
Formerly a part of Andhra
Pradesh, it was believed that
the Telangana region and its
language were not given proper
recognition, with certain scholars
and poets not being accredited
and major literary styles such as
‘Dwi Pada’ and ‘Prabandham’ not
getting their well-deserved honour
and status.
I believe that Telangana’s efforts
to prove its unique identity was
suppressed during the linguistic
reorganisation of States between
the 1940s and 1950s and during
the separate State movement prior
to its formation in 2014.
Therefore, the forthcoming WTC
will be a step in the right direction
for modern India and the world to
take notice of Telangana, the new
Telugu State with its own history,
culture, traditions and way of life.
“While the literary and cultural
greatness of Telangana was
highlighted quite a bit during the
Telangana movement, it is time
we took it to the global level,” says
Cultural Affairs Director Mamidi
Harikrishna.
Festival Venues
Lal Bahadur Stadium is the
main venue where WTC 2017
will be held, while the prestigious
National Theatre ‘Ravindra
Bharathi’ will be the location for
programmes of music, dance,
drama and cinema.
Other venues include the ‘NTR
Auditorium’ in Potti Sriramulu
Telugu University, where literary
discussions, seminars
and debates will take place,
while the ‘Indira Priyadarshini
Auditorium’ at
Nampally will be used
for women-oriented
activities and
children’s
festivals and
‘Lalitha Kala
Thoranam’
will be the hub for performing
arts.
Stalls on Telugu literature will
be set up and a Mini-Secretariat
will be provided to monitor
and attend to the queries of the
delegates.
Vice-President of India M
Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate
WTC 2017, while President Ram
Nath Kovind and Prime Minister
Narendra Modi have been invited
as Chief Guests. Eminent and
Award-winning writers in Telugu
and other Indian languages, politicians
and media personalities are
expected to be present at various
events.
Newborn Identity
As Telangana celebrates three
years of being the newest state
formed in India, constant efforts
are being made by its Chief
Minister, government officials and
citizens to segregate ‘Telangana
Culture’ from ‘Andhra Pradesh
Culture’ across India and around
the world.
“The intention is not to cast
asperations on anyone but to
celebrate the Telugu language,
literature and contribution of poets
and writers from this region,”
Culture and Tourism Department
officials have said.
Hence, performances such
as ‘Kolattam,’ ‘Perini,’ ‘Kalupu,’
‘Naatu,’ ‘Bathukamma’ and folk
songs from the rural region will be
an integral part of WTC 2017 that
will display the best of Telangana
culture to national and international
delegates.
Other traditional
acts comprise ‘The
relationship between
Tanishah and Ramadasu,’
‘Ramadasu
Padakeerthanalu,’
‘Thandanana
Ramayanam,’ ‘Saradakars’ and
‘Harikatha Recital.’
My participation at an earlier
international festival and conference
in India enabled me to
witness the cultures and peoples
from almost all Indian States, with
Telangana particularly capturing
my attention with its rich culture
and tradition.
I now look forward to participating
at ‘Prapancha Telugu
Mahasabhalu’ to learn more and
immerse myself into the Telangana
World.
About Ratna Venkat
Ratna Venkat, who received the
Title of ‘Kuchipudi Princess’
from former New Zealand
Prime Minister Sir John Key
on November 28, 2016, is an
Award winning Indian Classical
Dancer, Choreographer and
Assistant Editor of Indian
Newslink. She is a member of
the New Zealand Delegation
to ‘World Telugu Conference
2017,’ an International event
sponsored by the Government
of Telangana, Telangana Sahitya
Academy and its Chairman Mr
Nandini Sidda Reddy, being
held in Hyderabad in the South
Indian State of Telangana. Ratna
will post experiences of her trip
via her Facebook and Instagram
pages and will provide a
detailed report post event in our
January 15, 2018 issue. Like her
on facebook.com/ratnarangnz
and Follow her on instagram.
com/ratnarang to stay updated.
31093 INL
Come in and see us today
at your local Resene ColorShop!
0800 737 363 www.resene.co.nz/colorshops
On Resene Premium Paints,
Wood Stains, Primers, Sealers,
Wallpaper, Decorating Accessories
and Cleaning Products
Buy Resene Premium Paints,Wood Stains, Primers, Sealers,Wallpaper, Decorating Accessories and Cleaning Products and get the GST (15% off the full retail price) off at
Resene ColorShops and participating resellers. The GST reduction will be calculated on the normal retail price OR if you have a Resene ColorShop or DIY Card you can
get the Save the GST sale discount and an extra 5% off. Excludes WallPrint, decals, Crown, trade and industrial products, PaintWise levy and account sales. Paint offer
also available at participating Mitre 10 MEGA and Mitre 10 stores. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Offer ends 30 January 2018.
Mortgage Brokers Insurance Brokers Accountants Property Managers
Professional Financial Solutions provides the best advice on all financial matters
SERVICES
- First Home/Investment Property Loans
- Refinance/Top-up/Business/Commercial Loans
- Life/Trauma/Medical Insurance
- TPD/Mortgage/Income Protection
- Business/Commercial Insurance
- Rental Property Management
- Small to Medium Business Tax Returns
- Rental Property Returns/LTC Setup
- Equipment Finance/Car & Truck Loans
HEAD OFFICE
35 Morningside Drive, St. Lukes
Mt. Albert, Auckland
Ph: 09 846 9934, Fax: 09-846 9936
Ravi Mehta
M: 021 181 0076
BRANCH OFFICE
Level 1/203 Great South Road
Manurewa
Auckland
www.professionalfinancial.co.nz | Email: info@pfsl.co.nz
Rohit Takyar Surya Phutane Ameesha Sachdev
M: 021 172 8962 M: 021 202 0331 M: 0275 405 748
A disclosure statement as required under Securities Act 1988 is freely available on request
PROFESSIONAL
FINANCIAL
SOLUTIONS GROUP
Professional Financial Solutions Ltd.
Aim Associates Ltd.