All India Telugu Conference in Hyderabad in July

Visakhapatnam, Apr 28: The Potti Sriramulu Telugu University Vice-Chancellor A Manjulatha today said that the All India Telugu Conference will be held in the first week of July at Hyderabad.

Addressing a press conference here, she said the conference would stress the need for imparting education in Telugu medium and would explore the possible ways of improving the standards.

The University has prepared the material for online Telugu teaching, particularly for American-based Telugu people after getting the permission from the state government.

She added that a chair was constituted in the name of famous poet and writer, the late బోయి భీమన్న (Boyi Bhemanna).

To popularise the writings of Bheemanna, the Telugu University was reprinting his works and conducting four seminars in the four regions in the state.

--- UNI

Chittoor: Cuttamanchi statue unveiled

CHITTOOR: It was a dream come true for many, as the imposing life-size statue of late Cuttamanchi Ramalinga Reddy was unveiled here on Thursday.

CR, as he was popularly known, was a great orator with academic repute and fine statesmanship. He was born in 1880.

Several institutions were named after him and statues installed in coastal districts and other regions as a token of gratitude for his outstanding service in the promotion of higher education and in recognition of his eminence in English and Telugu languages.

It took 56 long years for his native town to install the statue. Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy unveiled it on Thursday.

Courtesy: NewIndPress

Maryland: Tollywood, not Bollywood by the Bay

By WENDI WINTERS, For The Capital

It looked like Bollywood on the Bay down at City Dock on Wednesday as a stunning, curvaceous brunette in a brilliant sari danced merrily on the steps. But it wasn't. It was Tollywood in our town.

Thirty cast and crew members from the Hyderabad, India, production company, Manoraiyani Movies, set up movie-making equipment in downtown Annapolis at City Dock yesterday to film a sequence in an as yet unnamed film.

Rasool Ellore, the movie's director, sat on his chair atop a camera dolly that rolled on a semi-circular track around the bronze statues of Alex Haley and three children.

"We're not actually 'Bollywood,' " the director pointed out. "We're Tollywood."

That's a tag for the Telugu movie industry based in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. In volume, Tollywood has overtaken Bollywood, the Bombay-based movie industry. Everywhere, that is, except in America. Last year Tollywood turned out 243 movies, compared to Bollywood's 223. In Tollywood, Mr. Ellore has produced numerous blockbusters.

With the Market House as a backdrop, 22-year-old actress Sindhura Gadde, costumed in a sequined turquoise sarfi, pretended to wait idly by the cluster of statues. She looked up to see actor Roihit Khurana, 29, approaching. Mr. Ellore signaled to the crew and the distinctive strains of a sitar recording could be heard above the rush of traffic passing behind them.

The couple did a happy dance on the brick steps and collapsed in laughter. On Mr. Ellore's signal, they did it again and again and again.

"This is a feature film," explained the director. "The character played by Roihit has a big imagination. He imagines he's taking her to Annapolis to dance. Sindhura has refused his advances and he imagines, instead, that she's in love with him and that they have a great relationship."

The young actress, Mr. Ellore pointed out, was crowned Femina Miss India World 2005 and was a semi-finalist in the subsequent Miss World pageant in China. She's no stranger to the U.S., having made promotional appearances in Detroit and upstate New York. A former news anchor in Australia and New Zealand, and a runway model, she hails from Vijayawada, India.

The company flew to the U.S. on a 40-day shooting schedule and they brought their own cook.

"I've been in the U.S. many times, but this is the first time for filming purposes," said Mr. Ellore, who calls himself a cinematographic director.

The crew brought its own cameras and supplies but rented additional equipment in the states. They eat together at a production house, where they can edit film, and live together in a rented home.

"We are filming in Annapolis only two days," he explained. "We came here for the warm spring weather."

Courtesy: HomeTownAnnapolis

Art that runs in the family

CELEBRATING NATURE: A painting by artist P. Narendranath that is part of the ongoing exhibition in the Capital

NEW DELHI: An exhibition of paintings by the father-son duo of పీ.ఆర్.రాజు (P. R. Raju) and పీ. నరేంద్ర నాథ్ (P. Narendra Nath) opened at Rabindra Bhavan here on Monday.

The artists from Hyderabad are together showcasing 42 paintings. Seventy-eight-year-old Raju has presented his works at almost all major exhibitions across the country. He is presenting 26 of his paintings in the Capital, most of which are abstracts.

A few of his works on show also bring alive the quintessential way of life in his native Andhra Pradesh. Snapshots of rustic life and facets of nature also work their way into his paintings.

Nature takes centre-stage in the works of Narendra Nath. He considers nature his "original studio" and his foray into the world of colours began at an early age as he watched his father at work.

Narendra Nath draws inspiration from lakes, trees, bushes and mountains. Nature and its changing moods remain the lifeline of his artistic expressions. The brush strokes have been replaced by palette knife in the 16 paintings he has displayed here.

Narendra Nath's love for painting also prompted him to give up a busy management career to take up art full-time. He is now coaching children in various forms of art at Art Study Circle started by his father in 1982.

Raju, founder of the reputed art school, has trained more than 3,000 students at this institute. He is also founder and general secretary of the Bharatha Kala Parishad in Hyderabad. The renowned artist was also instrumental in publishing seven volumes of Kala art magazines in Telugu.

Raju has been felicitated with many awards including the Lalit Kala Akademi award. The Andhra Government has conferred on him the Atma Gaurava Puraskaram.

The exhibition is on view up to April 29.

Courtesy: The Hindu

'Ultimate' Office software in Telugu released

To be made available free of cost in Government offices

HYDERABAD: Telugu language took another step into the computer era on Monday when the Andhra Pradesh Official Languages Commission released a Telugu software CD for use in Government officers and outside.

The software is described as one step ahead of the two existing software already available -- I-LEAP (a private one) and another released by the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The latest software, described as `ultimate and all encompassing', has been developed jointly by the National Informatics Centre and Dr. Marri Channa Reddy Human Resources Development Institute.

This "open office" software can be used without any restriction or difficulty by all computers loaded with open office and MS office facilities for writing a file, striking off written matter, drawing of tables and graphs, even for presentations through various designs.

Releasing the CD at a press conference here, Commission chairman A.B.K. Prasad said it would be made available free of cost to all Government offices to start with and later to all interested parties and persons depending on the Government budget.

Courtesy: The Hindu

ఘంటశాల 'అష్టావధనం'

Filmstar of yesteryears Kantha Rao to be felicitated

• Dr. Rahmatullah of Kamineni Hospitals will take questions
• Venue is Miryalaguda Rice Millers' Association Auditorium

NALGONDA: Navya Kala Nikethan, a cultural organisation, is organising `astavadhanam', exclusively on the singer of yesteryears Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao, at Rice Millers' Association Auditorium in Miryalaguda, on Sunday evening.

Rahmatullah, a doctor working with Kamineni Hospitals, will take questions from a group of persons at a time on all aspects of the mellifluous singer, the organisation's founder president Tadakamalla Rama Ranga Rao said in a press release, here on Saturday. Akhila, Bala Kameswara Rao, Giridhar et al will pay tributes to the singer by singing his songs before the commencement of `astavadhanam.' K.V. Rao, M. Purushottamacharyulu, Bala Kameswara Rao, N.K. Rama Rao, Pulijala Giridhar Rao, M. Ramanuja Charulu, Chennuri Ranga Rao, Ch. Venkata Ratna and others will pose questions to Rahamatullah.

The organisers are going to felicitate the actor of yesteryears T.L. Kantha Rao, to mark the occasion. "Son of the soil Kanta Rao will be felicitated in a befitting manner," Rao said.

Courtesy: The Hindu

కంప్యూటర్‌ కట్టిన గ్రేట్‌పిరమిడ్‌!

పిరమిడ్లు ఎలా కట్టారు? ఈ ప్రశ్నకు 4500 ఏళ్ళ నుంచి సమాధానం లేదు.. ఇప్పుడు 'నేను చెబుతా' అంటున్నాడొక శాస్త్రవేత్త! ఏం చెబుతాడో చూద్దామా!



పిరమిడ్ల గురించి చెప్పాలంటే అన్నీ వింతలే. అన్నీ అద్భుతాలే. అన్నీ సందేహాలే. అన్నీ రహస్యాలే. ఎవరు, ఎందుకు, ఎప్పుడు, ఎలా కట్టారనే ప్రశ్నలకు ఎన్నో జవాబులు ఉన్నాయి. ఏదీ కచ్చితమైనది కాదు. అందుకే అవంటే ప్రపంచవ్యాప్తంగా అంత ఆసక్తి. వీటి నిర్మాణం గురించి ఇప్పటికి కూడా అంతపట్టని విశేషాలు ఎన్నెన్నో! సైన్స్‌ ఎంతగానో అభివృద్ధి చెందిన ఈ రోజుల్లో కూడా ఇలాంటి పిరమిడ్లను ఇంత కచ్చితంగా, ఇంత చాకచక్యంగా కట్టలేమని చెబుతారు.


ఎన్నో పరిశోధనలు!
భారీ యంత్రాలు, క్రేన్లు, కంప్యూటర్లు, కాలిక్యులేటర్లు, సిమెంట్‌లాంటి నిర్మాణ పరికరాలు, ఆఖరికి కొలబద్దలు కూడా లేని కాలం అది. అప్పట్లోనే ఈజిప్షియన్లు ఈ భారీ పిరమిడ్లను నిర్మించారు. వీటిని ఎలా కట్టారన్న విషయంపై ప్రపంచవ్యాప్తంగా బోలెడు పరిశోధనలు సాగుతూనే ఉన్నాయి. ఎంతో మంది రకరకాల సిద్ధాంతాలను ప్రతిపాదించారు. అయితే ఇవేవీ కూడా అన్ని సందేహాలను తీర్చే విధంగా వివరణలను అందించలేదు.

లోపలి నుంచి బయటికి!
ఇప్పుడు ఒక ఫ్రెంచి శాస్త్రవేత్త జీన్‌ పియరే హుడిన్‌ మాత్రం 'పిరమిడ్ల రహస్యాని నేను కనిపెట్టాను' అని చెబుతున్నాడు. 'పిరమిడ్లను లోపలి నుంచి బయటకి కట్టుకుంటూ వచ్చారు' అనేది ఆయన సిద్ధాంతం. కేవలం చెప్పడమే కాకుండా కంప్యూటర్ల సాయంతో త్రీ డైమన్షనల్‌ (త్రీడీ) పద్ధతిలో ఆయన దాన్ని వివరిస్తున్నారు. త్రీడీ సినిమాలను మనం ప్రత్యేకమైన కళ్ళజోళ్ళు పెట్టుకుని చూస్తాం కదా? అలా ఈయన కూడా పిరమిడ్ల నిర్మాణం గురించి ఒక కంప్యూటర్‌ సినిమాను చూపిస్తారన్నమాట. పరిశోధకులు, ఇంజినీర్లు త్రీడీ కళ్ళజోళ్ళు పెట్టుకుని ఈయన ప్రదర్శనను చూసి 'నిజమే.. ఇలాగే కట్టి ఉంటారు' అంటున్నారు. అంత బాగుందన్నమాట ఆయన వివరణ.

8 ఏళ్ళ శ్రమ!
పిరమిడ్లలో అతి పెద్దదైన గ్రేట్‌ పిరమిడ్‌ నిర్మాణంపై హుడిన్‌ ఎనిమిదేళ్ళ పాటు పరిశోధన చేశాడు. తాను ఊహించిన సిద్ధాంతం ప్రకారం తెర మీద పిరమిడ్‌ను నిర్మించగలిగే ప్రత్యేకమైన కంప్యూటర్‌ను రూపొందించడానికి ఆయనకు రెండేళ్ళు పట్టింది. ఆ తర్వాత ఓ కంప్యూటర్‌ సంస్థ సాయంతో ఏడు త్రీడీ కంప్యూటర్లను ఒక నెట్‌వర్క్‌ ద్వారా అనుసంధానించి గ్రేట్‌ పిరమిడ్‌ను కట్టి చూపించారు. ప్రపంచంలోనే అతి పెద్దదైన త్రీడీ వర్చువల్‌ రియాలిటీ ఆడిటోరియంలో సాగే ఆ ప్రదర్శన.. 4,500 సంవత్సరాల క్రితం పిరమిడ్‌ను కట్టిన స్థలం ఎలా ఉందో చూపించడంతో మొదలవుతుంది. ఆ స్థలంలో శాస్త్రవేత్త కలియ తిరుగుతూ ప్రేక్షకుల ప్రశ్నలకు సమాధానం చెబుతూ.. ఒకో రాయిని ఎలా పేర్చారో చూపిస్తూ.. మొత్తం పిరమిడ్‌ నిర్మాణాన్ని కళ్ళకు కట్టినట్టు ఆవిష్కరిస్తారు.

ఇలా కట్టారు
ఒకోటీ రెండున్నర టన్నుల బరువుతో నలుపలకలుగా ఉండే లక్షలాది భారీ రాతి దిమ్మలను ఒకదానిపై ఒకటి పేరుస్తూ 449 అడుగుల ఎత్తయిన గ్రేట్‌ పిరమిడ్‌ను కట్టారనేంత వరకే మనకు తెలిసింది. క్రేన్లు లేని కాలంలో అంత ఎత్తుకు అంత బరువైన దిమ్మలను తీసుకు వెళ్ళాలంటే ఏటవాలుగా మార్గాలను ఏర్పాటు చేసుకోవడం తప్పనిసరి. అలాంటి మార్గాలను బయటి నుంచి ఏర్పాటు చేసుకుంటూ, వాటి మీద దిమ్మలను మనుషులచే లాగించి పేర్చుకుంటూ కట్టి ఉంటారని ఇంతకాలం అనుకున్నారు. అయితే కొంత ఎత్తు తర్వాత ఇలా చేయడం అసాధ్యం అవుతుంది. ఇప్పుడు హుడిన్‌ సిద్ధాంతం ప్రకారం 'కొంత ఎత్తు వరకే ఇలా బయటి నుంచి ఏటవాలు మార్గాలతో కట్టారు. ఆ తర్వాత ఏటవాలు ర్యాంపులను లోపల గుండ్రంగా ఏర్పాటు చేసుకుని దిమ్మలను లాగి కట్టారు'. చెప్పడమే కాకుండా శాస్త్రీయంగా త్రీడీ కంప్యూటర్‌ నెట్‌వర్క్‌తో నిరూపించడంతో పురాతత్వ శాస్త్రవేత్తలు, ఇంజినీర్లు, పరిశోధకులు దీనిని ప్రశంసిస్తున్నారు.

ఎన్నెన్ని వింతలో!
పిరమిడ్ల గురించి ఆశ్చర్యకరమైన నిజాలతో పాటు, విచిత్రమైన నమ్మకాలు కూడా ఉన్నాయి.

* పిరమిడ్లను కట్టడానికి ఉపయోగించిన ఘనాకార రాతి దిమ్మల అంచులన్నీ కచ్చితమైన లంబాకార కోణంలో ఉంటాయి. ఈ రాతి దిమ్మల అమరిక అంగుళంలో వెయ్యింట ఐదు భాగాల వరకు కచ్చితంగా ఉంటుంది. వాటి మధ్య ఉంచిన ఖాళీలు ఎక్కడ చూసినా వందింట రెండు వంతుల తేడా కూడా ఉండదు.

* పిరమిడ్లలోని రాతి దిమ్మలను కలపడానికి ఉపయోగించిన పదార్థమేంటో ఇప్పటికీ తెలీదు. దాని రసాయన మిశ్రమాన్ని కనుక్కోగలిగారు కానీ ఆ పదార్థాన్ని తిరిగి తయారు చేయడం అసాధ్యమని తేలింది. ఇది రాతి కన్నా బలంగా దిమ్మలను పట్టి ఉంచుతోంది.

* ఆధునిక వంతెనల లాంటి నిర్మాణాలో వాడే బాల్‌, సాకెట్‌ పద్ధతిలో పిరమిడ్ల మూలల్లోని దిమ్మలను అమర్చారు. భూకంపాలు కూడా వీటిని ఏమీ చేయలేవు.

* గ్రేట్‌ పిరమిడ్‌ను ఖగోళ పరిశోధనకు కూడా ఉపయోగించారని చెబుతారు.

* గిజాలోని మూడు పెద్ద పిరమిడ్లు ఓరియన్‌ (వేటగాడు) అనే నక్షత్రసమూహంలోని మూడు ప్రధాన నక్షత్రాలకు (బెల్ట్‌) అనుసంధానంగా ఉంటాయి.

* భూమి, ఈజిప్టు, గ్రేట్‌ పిరమిడ్‌లోని రాణి గదుల సగటు ఉష్ణోగ్రత ఒకటే. అది 68 డిగ్రీల ఫారెన్‌హీటు.

* గ్రేట్‌ పిరమిడ్‌ నీడలను బట్టి సమయాన్ని తెలుసుకునే విధంగా దాని చుట్టుపక్కల కొన్ని ఆలయాలు, ప్రాంతాలు ఉన్నాయంటారు.

* భూమి మీది ఖండాల ద్రవ్యరాశి కేంద్రస్థానం ఎక్కడుందో అక్కడే పిరమిడ్‌ను కట్టారు.

* సముద్రమట్టానికి పైన భూమి సగటు ఎత్తు 5449 అంగుళాలు. గ్రేట్‌ పిరమిడ్‌ ఎత్తు కచ్చితంగా ఇంతే!

* పగలు, రాత్రి సమానంగా ఉన్న రోజు రాత్రి గ్రేట్‌ పిరమిడ్‌లో ఎత్తయిన ప్రాంతం అల్సియాన్‌ అనే నక్షత్రాన్ని సూచిస్తుంది. మన సూర్యకుటుంబం ఈ నక్షత్రం చుట్టూ తిరుగుతుందని చెబుతారు.

* అరవై లక్షల టన్నుల బరువుండే పిరమిడ్‌ను కట్టే స్థలం అంతటి భారాన్నీ మోయగలిగి ఉండాలి కదా? గ్రేట్‌ పిరమిడ్‌ కింద పెద్ద గ్రానైట్‌ పర్వతం ఉండడం చిత్రం.

* సరైన కొలబద్దలు లేకపోయినా పిరమిడ్‌ను ఎంత కచ్చితంగా కట్టారంటే 230 మీటర్ల పొడవులో కేవలం 20 సెంటీమీటర్లే తేడా కనిపిస్తుంది.

* గ్రేట్‌ పిరమిడ్‌ను ఒక రాతి కంప్యూటర్‌ అనుకోవచ్చు. పిరమిడ్‌ పొడవు, ఎత్తు, కోణాలు లాంటి కొలతల సాయంతో గణిత సంబంధమైన చాలా సంగతులను లెక్కించవచ్చు.

* గ్రేట్‌ పిరమిడ్‌ సాయంతో భూమి సూర్యుని చుట్టూ తిరిగే దూరాన్ని, కాంతి వేగాన్ని కూడా లెక్కించగలిగేవారని చెబుతారు.

* పిరమిడ్‌ ఆధారంగా భవిష్యత్తు విషయాలు కూడా తెలుసుకోవచ్చని చెబుతారు. ఏసుక్రీస్తుకు శిలువ వేయడం, మొదటి ప్రపంచ యుద్ధం గురించి పిరమిడ్‌లో వివరాలు నిక్షిప్తమై ఉన్నాయని లండన్‌లోని పిరమిడాలజీ సంస్థ కనుగొంది. 2979లో ప్రపంచం అంతం అవుతుందనేది మరో జోస్యమట!

* పిరమిడ్‌ కేంద్రంలోని స్థలం అంతుపట్టని ప్రకృతి శక్తులకు నిలయమని నమ్ముతారు. అక్కడ విచిత్రమైన సంఘటనలు జరుగుతాయంటారు. పర్యాటకులు చాలామంది ఆ ప్రాంతంలో షాకుకు గురికావడమో, స్పృహకోల్పోవడమో జరుగుతుందని చెబుతారు.

Courtesy: ఈనాడు
Telugu Eenadu computer generated pyramid

Nature celebrated Ugadi on March 20: wildlife activist

Telugu new year falls on the day when the unique Mungari molaka blossoms

DESTINED TO BLOSSOM: Wildlife activist T. Hanumanthu showing a rare plant- golden shoot at Kurnool.— Photo: U. Subramanyam

KURNOOL: While people were divided over celebrating Ugadi on March 19 or 20 this year, nature celebrated it on March 20, according to wildlife activist T. Hanumanthu.

According to Mr. Hanumanthu, ముంగరి మొలక (mungari molaka) (pre-monsoon shoot or golden shoot), a rare plant blossomed on March 20. The plant is unique and destined to blossom only on Ugadi day every year.

As the controversy raged over the festival day, Mr. Hanumanthu went in search of the plant in the vicinity of his village M. Agraharam in Pathikonda constitutency of Kurnool district on March 19 but could spot it only the next day.

According to him, the plant shoots into the open from the pristine rocky soil only on Ugadi day. People can blindly follow the blossoming of the plant to celebrate the Telugu new-year.

The plant with a few branches up to a height of two feet has very short life of 24-36 hours. And it is not seen any time in the year except the next Ugadi day.

The violet coloured plant is very tender and develops several pods.

This year 15 such pods were noticed, which according to villagers is going to be very prosperous year.

Mr. Hanumanthu, a wildlife activist, is honorary wildlife warden appointed by the Forest Department in recognition of his service to protection of forests and wildlife.

The nature-lover who observed the operation black buck since its inception, which was meant for reducing the population to half in order to control crop damage, said the animals sensed the human interference in their life and migrated to unconventional areas like Bellary.

Over 3,000 animals were caught and shifted to Macharla in Guntur.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Telugu e-books for free

HYDERABAD: A new website, www.vikasadhatri.org is offering Telugu e-books for free download. At present, it has 10 e-books on developmental issues like consumers rights, Panchayat Raj Act, and welfare schemes of Governments. The collection also has books on history and travelogues. All kinds of literature including stories, plays, poetry and compilation of essays will be added in future.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Vasireddy Sita Devi passes away

She was a progressive writer; funeral on Saturday

మట్టి మనిషి (Matti Manishi) translated into 14 languages

Her works have become research material

వాసిరెడ్డి సీతా దేవి

HYDERABAD: Well-known writer Vasireddy Sita Devi (76) died at a private hospital in Secunderabad around noon on Friday following breathing problems caused by asthma.

She was hospitalised about 20 days ago and put on ventilator when her condition worsened. She is survived by brother Narayana Rao. Her funeral will be performed at Bansilalpet electric crematorium on Saturday

The five-time winner of the Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy Award never flinched from her duty -- of telling the world that women could liberate themselves easily in life than men who remain victims of their own egos. She was known as a progressive writer, a rebel and a feminist.

Midgets

In about 50 novels and anthologies of short stories, she portrayed men as midgets in stature while the women characters rise from the ordinary to touch Himalayan heights.

Vasireddy's మట్టి మనిషి (Matti Manishi) was translated into 14 Indian languages by the National Book Trust while మరీచిక (Mareechika) was banned. She never stopped questioning the system and its values.

In one of her interviews to The Hindu she was categorical in calling writers without social purpose as `no better than drug peddlers'. Her defiance found a true reflection in the characters she created endearing her to the readers.

Her feminism was far subtler compared to the more radical ones. Her works have become research material for many over the years. "From bondage to liberation and from slavery to independence, it is the extension of one's own self," she declared once introducing her characters.

Favourite line

Her self-confidence made her fight against gender discrimination in every field. She wanted every woman to remember her favourite line "if I was not harassed, it is not because of the magnanimity of the man but because none could dare to treat me shabbily". Jnanpeet awardee C. Narayan Reddy described Sita Devi as a top writer whose works reflected socialist thought process and scientific outlook with stress on equal status for women. Dr. A. Manjulata, Vice-Chancellor, Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University said an era has come to an end with Sita Devi's death.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Engineer by profession, Vaidya by tradition

VIJAYAWADA: Know who has the largest collection of ancient ayurvedic texts? A retired railway engineer!

In fact, his collection of 3,000 ancient native medical texts is by far the largest in the South India by any institution.

Pammi Satyanarayana Murthy, an engineer by profession, but an ayurvedic vaidya by tradition, has converted his flat in Ayodhyanagar into a library.

His collection includes rare texts such as Rasaratna Samucchayam of 1919 vintage, మునిభావ బోధిని (Munibhava Bodhini), which contains a chapter on వృక్ష ఆయుర్వేద (Vruksha Ayurveda) (medicinal botany), రసయోగ రత్నాకరం (Rasayoga Ratnakaram), a 1933 text prescribed by the then British Government for making medicinal compositions as per the Drugs Act, వైద్య వల్లభం (Vaidya Vallabham), భిషగ్ సుధర్నవం (Bhishag Sudharnavam) and నేత్ర దర్పణం (Netra Darpanam), a rare text wholly devoted to ophthalmology.

"Ayurveda is a family tradition for me. My grand father Chivukula Satyanarayana Sastry was a great ayurvedic doctor and he was called Rasacharya for his mastery over alchemy".

"My father Pammi Suryanarayana Murthy too was an ayurvedic physician of repute. Though an engineer in the railways, I and my wife studied ayurveda," Murthy told to this website's newspaper.

He also has palm leaf text collections on ayurveda. "My guru told me that some persons in Pithapuram were consigning palm leaf texts into the dust bin. I went and collected them. Now I am planning to digitise them", he said.

He has already come out with two volumes of ayurvedic dictionary and penned scores of books on ayurveda. Digitising palm leaf texts, collecting native medical knowledge from various communities and reducing the ancient texts into Telugu and English occupies most of his time.

"There is a dire need to train people in unravelling Granthic, Brahmi and Nandi Nagari scripts, in which most of the texts are written.

The number of those capable of deciphering these texts is going down. If we do not prepare a second line of scholars, this valuable information would be lost for ever", he says.

Courtesy: NewIndPress

Chittoor V. Nagaiah's contribution to Telugu movie industry recalled

"He was the epitome of dignity, divinity and magnanimity" Singeetham Sreenivasa Rao, Sowcar Janaki and singer S.P. Balasubramanyam honoured

CHENNAI: Fans of Telugu actor Chittoor V.Nagayya fondly recalled the performances of the veteran at a function here on Saturday to mark his 103rd birth anniversary.

Clippings from Nagayya's Telugu hits such as స్వర్గ సీమ (Swarga Seema) and యోగి వేమన (Yogi Vemana) were screened as part of the function, organised by Padmashree Chittoor V.Nagayya Memorial Academy.

Speakers hailed the legend's contributions to the Telugu film industry as a singer, producer and director.

Speaking at the function, actor Anjali Devi said he was the first south Indian artist to have received the Padmashree award.

Ms. Devi, the first recipient of the award instituted by the academy, said she hoped to give shape to the actor's aspirations.

Minister of State for Mines T. Subbirami Reddy honoured senior director Singeetham Sreenivasa Rao, actor Sowcar Janaki and playback singer S.P. Balasubramanyam on the occasion.

Donations

Mr. Reddy donated a sum of Rs.6 lakh for installing a statue of the actor. He also gave Rs.2 lakh towards the education of deserving candidates.

Film critic V.A.K. Ranga Rao said the actor's songs and films set a new trend in the industry.

Actress Sowcar Janaki described Nagayya as a personification of dignity, divinity and magnanimity.

"Fortunate"

Mr. Balasubramanyam recalled his association with the veteran and said he was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such legends.

Five students were presented with scholarships and books on the occasion. Mr. Rao and vice president of the academy T.G. Kamala Devi spoke.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Decision on Telugu status soon

HYDERABAD: The Union Government will soon decide on the classical status to Telugu language, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni has said.

Speaking to media persons after inaugurating the Balayogi Paryatak Bhavan, she said, "We have received a representation from the State Government which is also signed by none other than Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy himself".

The Ministry has a special committee on language, attached to Sahitya Akademi which is examining the issue including Telugu language's history and other related aspects. "I am following up on the issue with the committee and a decision in this regard will be announced soon," the Union Minister added.

Courtesy: AndhraCafe

Annamacharya's 599th anniversary celebrations in IIT Madras

CHENNAI: The Indian Telugu Association based in Chennai is organising Telugu saint composer Annamayya's 599th anniversary celebration on May 2 in IIT Madras, Guindy.

Co-hosted by తెలుగు సాంసృతిక సమితి (Telugu Samskruthika Samithi) of IIT Madras and సిలికాన్‌ ఆంధ్ర (Silicon Andhra), USA, the celebration would have about 300 participants singing Annamayya keerthanas.

Indian Telugu Association founder president B. Nagesh said the function was organised for the first time in the city to commemorate the anniversary of the saint. Annamayya's 12th descendant Thallapaka Meena Lochani and Commissioner of Land Reforms V.Varaprasada Rao would participate.

The association, which was founded three years ago, aims to bring together the Telugu speaking community settled in various parts of the country. Mr. Nagesh said: "We plan to conduct spoken Telugu classes in an informal environment during May and also venture into social service."

A website attempting to connect the Telugu community, www.telugupeople.com, would be launched by the association by April end, he added.

For details, contact Mr. Nagesh at 94440 09747.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Telugu film videos from Moser Baer

Movie DVDs, VCDs available at Rs. 28 to Rs. 34 each

BONANZA: Film actor Balakrishna launching Moser Baer DVDs and VCDs of Telugu feature films on Saturday. — PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

HYDERABAD: High-quality original VCDs and DVDs of Telugu movies for Rs. 28 to Rs. 34! Seems quite implausible, yet it is true. Saturday marked the launch of Moser Baer's Telugu Home Videos, which promises to deliver just that.

The company, which earlier had launched movie titles in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi, has made its foray into Telugu cinema with 101 titles and another 600 titles in the pipeline.

The Telugu titles amassed by the company are a good mix of popular hit films along with the classic Telugu films of yore. On the occasion, Moser Baer also launched Telugu film industry's 75th year celebrations in three volumes of VCDs and DVDs.

The DVDs and VCDs were released by Telugu actor Bala Krishna at a function here.

The company is planning to release new hit Telugu movies like బ్రహ్మాస్త్రం (Brahmastram), starring Jagapati Babu and అస్త్రం (Astram) starring Vishnu and Anushka, the company officials said.

Chief Executive of the company Harish Dayani said that they had roped in about 35 distributors and DVDs and VCDs would be available in 10,000 outlets including stationery and telecom shops, in addition to the regular audio and video shops.

Courtesy: The Hindu

మాయాబజార్ artists felicitated

Department of Culture organises screening of film

TIME TO CHERISH: Dada Saheb Phalke awardee A.Nageswara Rao, Jnanpeet awardee C.Narayana Reddy, Gummadi Venkateswara Rao and Raavi Kondala Rao at the golden jubilee celebrations of `Mayabazar' film on Saturday. — PHOTO: K.RAMESH BABU

HYDERABAD: Imagine an open-air auditorium with the caress of a gentle breeze ever-so-often, even as the eyes are focussed on the screen, watching an evergreen `Mayabazar', with your loved ones ! Wouldn't it be an experience to cherish forever ?

That's what an audience, comprising all age groups at Lalitha Kala Thoranam in Public Gardens experienced on Saturday.

Commemorating the golden jubilee of the all-time great classic `Mayabazar', Kinnera Art Theatres, Department of Culture and Government of Andhra Pradesh felicitated the artistes and organised a special screening.

Memorable moments

Dada Saheb Phalke award-winner Akkineni Nageswara Rao said it was the skill of the technicians, including that of the director that made people admire the movie even 50 years later . "These celebrations rejuvenate us and provide an opportunity to relive those memorable moments of shooting of the film", he said.

Gnanpeeth awardee C. Narayan Reddy said it was due to the efforts of director and screenplay writer K.V. Reddy that the movie continued to draw audiences irrespective of age, even in this digital era. "The present age graphics cannot match the technical brilliance of K.V. Reddy in composing the special effects during those days," he said.

Felicitations

Later, A. Nageswara Rao released `Mayabazar'- a novel written by Raavi Kondala Rao.

On behalf of State Government, Home Minister K. Jana Reddy felicitated film artists A. Nageswara Rao, G. Venkateswara Rao, Seetha and Giribabu.

And, when the title `Mayabazar' appeared onscreen, the venue reverberated with a huge round of applause and whistles as witnessed on the day when it was screened the first time on March 27, 1957.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Epic Mahabharata on Web soon

TTD Executive Officer A.P.V.N. Sarma inaugurates the Rs. 28-lakh project

• Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha takes up the mammoth project
• Website to have multimedia graphics and animation of war

GOING HI-TECH: TTD Executive Officer A.P.V.N. Sarma and Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha Vice-Chancellor Harekrishna Satapathy taking part in a puja to launch the Mahabharata project in Tirupati on Thursday. — Photo: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar

TIRUPATI : Mahabharata will soon be made available on the web for the benefit of research scholars and litterateurs, with the Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha taking up a mammoth project to prepare an electronic version of the country's greatest epic.

The మహాభారత పరియోజన (Mahabharata Pariyojana), taken up by the varsity in association with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), aims at preparing an authentic version of Mahabharata with inputs from published works of repute by making available hyperlinks for easy reference.

ఆంధ్ర మహాభారతం (Andhra Mahabharatam), the ancient Telugu version, a Bengali version, besides the publications of Gorakhpur-based Gita Press and Pune-based Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute are being used to prepare the standard version. The website will have multimedia graphics and animation on the Kurukshetra war and other `picture-worthy' episodes.

Advisory panel

The varsity's former Registrar S.S. Murthy has been made the project coordinator and a senior faculty member Rani Sadasiva Murthy as the additional coordinator An advisory committee has also been formed with the Vidyapeetha's Vice-Chancellor Hare Krishna Satapathy as chairman and Registrar A. Gurumurthy, Purana experts Samudrala Lakshmanaiah and R.Ananta Padmanabha Rao as members. Gangadhar Panda of Sampurnananda Sanksrit Vidyalaya, Banaras and Icharam Dwivedi of Lal Bahadur Shastri Sanskrit Vidyalaya, New Delhi, have also been roped in as external experts. The project is to be completed in a year.

Inaugurating the Rs.28 lakh project at the Vidyapeetha's Sansk-NET project premises here on Thursday, the TTD Executive Officer A.P.V.N. Sarma clicked the mouse to display the home page of the portal.

Highlighting the need to preserve and promote the ancient literary treasure trove, he asked the Vidyapeetha to submit proposals for e- version of Ramayana and Bhagavatha also.

Courtesy: The Hindu

TTD to celebrate Annamayya jayanthi at Tallapaka

A rally of 10,000 devotees to be taken out at Rajampet

TIRUPATI: The TTD on Wednesday unveiled its proposal for a grand celebration of the 599th birth anniversary of saint poet అన్నమాచార్య (Annamacharya) in his native village తాళ్ళపాక (Tallapaka) in Kadapa district on May 3.

It gave the scheme a final shape at a meeting chaired by TTD Board Chairman B. Karunakara Reddy with officials concerned.

The itinerary includes a rally at Rajampet with 10,000 devotees to propagate among masses the bhakthi theme, which is central to his immortal compositions-- 32,000 songs -- all in praise of the Lord Venkateswara. On the same day the TTD would also perform `bhoomi pooja' for various developmental works at Rajampet and Tallapaka with a project outlay of Rs.5 crores.

Besides the descendants of Annamacharya, various peethadhipathis, mathadhipathis, scholars who have worked on various facets of his works, film music directors, singers, artistes of the TTD's Annamacharya project and Dharma Prachara Parishad and the former TTD Board Chairpersons and Executive Officers would be invited to participate in the rally.

A `Sudarsana Yagam' at Tallapaka and Srinivasa Kalyanam and cultural programme at Rajampet would be the highlight of the celebrations.

Mr. Karunakara Reddy said that it would also signal yearlong celebrations throughout the State that would conclude on his 600th birth anniversary in a befitting manner.

Among those who participated in the meeting were DPP's EC member Venkata Sarma, Director of the Annamacharya project Medasani Mohan, DPP secretary Chenchu Subbaiah, director of the TTD's audio-visual department R. Anantapadmanabha Rao and Sanskrit scholar, Samudrala Lakshmaiah.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Madras Telugu Academy to honour personalities

Chennai, Apr 2:

Madras Telugu Academy (MTA) will conduct its 27th Mega Festival 'Samaikya Bharath Gaurav Satkar 2007' (formerly known as Ugadi Purashkar) on 29 April at the Music Academy auditorium.

Announcing this to presspersons here, T V K Shastry, founder and chief convenor of Madras Telugu Academy, said that more than 50 eminent personalities and 12 child prodigies would receive Samaikya Bharath Gaurav Satkar 2007.

Students from 30 States and five Union Territories ranked first in the tenth std in the academic year 2005-2006 would receive scholarships of Rs 6,000 each on this occasion.

Dr Lilly George, founder and managing director of Shalom Hills International School and president of YWCA would be given Samaikya Bharath Swarna Puraskar of Rs 1,01 lakh.

Indra Nooyi, CEO, PEPSICO, art director Thota Tharani, P Anjali Devi, film personality, and P Susheela, cine playback singer, would receive Samaikya Bharath Gaurav Satkar 2007.

Shastry said S M Krishna, Governor of Maharashtra. would be the chief guest. Prema Krishna, the wife of the Governor, N Janardhan Reddy, former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Dr T Subbarami Reddy, Union Minister of State for Mines, Dharmana Prasada Rao, Minister of Revenue, government of Andhra Pradesh, T N Seshan, former Chief Election Commissioner, and K S Sarma, former CEO, Prasar Bharathi, would be the special guests of honour.

Dr Akkineni Nageshwara Rao, veteran Telugu film star, would preside over the function.

Courtesy: NewsTodaynet

Call for Classical Status to Telugu

HYDERABAD: The two-day conference organised by the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, on March 28 and 29 to discuss the issue of classical language status to Telugu felt that it was imperative that both Telugu and Kannada be given the status.

A.B.K.Prasad, Chairman, Official Language Commission said in a press release that the conference had adopted a resolution to that effect as the two languages had a history of 1,000 years.

Courtesy: The Hindu