Telugu University V-C calls for higher research in arts

`Get-together' organised by the Siddhartha Academy

• `Get-together' organised by Siddhartha Academy
• University facing difficulty in conducting research in every discipline

VIJAYAWADA: Vice-Chancellor of Potti Sriramulu Telugu University (PSTU) A. Manjulatha has welcomed suggestions from experts on how the university can take up higher research in arts as per its mandate.

At a `Get-together' organised by the Siddhartha Academy here on Wednesday, Dr. Manjulatha said that the university's Act mandated that it must become a centre of high quality research in Telugu literature and arts. But for various reasons, not much of research was taking place in arts.

"Some amount of research is definitely happening in folk arts, mainly because there are 250 varieties of folk arts in our State. But this is not the case with fine arts," she said.

The Vice-Chancellor attributed this to the unwillingness on the part of performing artistes to indulge in writing and research.

Plea to UGC

Dr. Manjulatha said the university was finding it difficult to conduct research in every discipline as per University Grants Commission (UGC)'s norms. The dependence of contract teachers was not in sync with the UGC's rule.

"I have written to the UGC and will also explain in person the special character of the university and the need for relaxation of these norms," she said.

The Vice-Chancellor felt that students who were genuinely interested in study of arts were not joining the university. Students from poor families and weaker sections of society were joining these courses more for a stay in hostel and to appear for competitive examinations. Veteran theatre and film artiste Mikkilineni Radhakrishna Murthy said that his collection of profiles of theatre artistes, which he had presented to the Sangeeth Natak Akademi that was later merged into the university, had not seen the light of day.

Courtesy: The Hindu