Spread of literary, cultural feasts on cards

What is the point in giving a stage to literature that we have already read and enjoyed. We are doing this event to bring to light the treasure of literary work that has been lying in the shadows

The World Telugu Conference is just a few days away and the flurry of activity is there for all to see at the Telangana Sahitya Akademi office.

Nandini Sidda Reddy, the Chairman and his team were busy checking out the kiosk with a touch screen showcasing the schedule for the 5-day event, the venues, and a whole lot of other important information and pictures when The Hans India team arrived to talk to him.

The kiosks would be placed at bus stations and railway stations for people to access and know about not just the Prapancha Telugu Mahasabhalu, but also read about the vibrant Telugu literary tradition and literary personalities of the Telangana state.

“It was my dream to re-institute the Sahitya Akademi and it became a reality when the Chief Minister Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao took the decision to start the Akademi on May 2, 2017 and on the same day, decided that we shall hold the World Telugu Conference,” shares Nandini Sidda Reddy, who is busy helming the most important and challenging event.

The website and temporary office at Ravindra Bharathi has already received over 5,000 delegate registrations and the number is only increasing. Invitations have been sent out to writers from Andhra Pradesh and confirmations have already started coming in. Amongst the several eminent literary personalities from the neighbouring state would be Kara Master, Rachapalam Chandrasekhara Reddy, Peddibhotla Subbaramiah.

Kuchipudi dancers Raja Radha Reddy from New Delhi would be coming in to perform at the event. Dr Afsar from Wisconsin University, Ravi Verelly, Ampasayya Naveen, Goreti Venkanna, Chandrabose, Vasundhara Deshpande, Suddala Ashok Teja, Tirumala Srinivasa Chary and several other eminent and emerging litterateurs will a part of this mega event.

The Akademi that began on May 10 is focusing its work in five divisions – research that will fill the gaps in recording Telangana struggle in history and bringing to light literary works; publishing important works of ancient poets and writers; training enthusiastic youngsters; facilitating translation, and encouraging new writers and literary associations by providing financial assistance and direction.

“WTC will strengthen these objectives and will direct the attention of the world towards Telangana. It will be showcasing the culture, tradition and literary prowess of Telangana to the Telugus and the rest of the world. We hope that through this event we can divert the youngsters’ interest from their gadgets towards literature, which I believe is the only tool for developing fine values, making them strong and ready to face any challenge.

It is not just by reading personality books, but by reading books and epics with their innumerable characters that helps in the overall development of individuals and make them sensible and sensitive,” shares the Chairman of the Akademi that lay dormant for 34 years and has just begun breathing life again.

The event will be held at eight venues. LB Stadium, in addition to hosting cultural events every evening, will be the venue for the grand inauguration, which will be graced by the Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and the closing ceremony that will see the President of India Ramnath Kovind as the chief guest.

Telugu University will play host to a series of discussions and seminars on the various literary genres. Indira Priyadarshini Auditorium will be the venue for children’s literature and women’s literature and poetry. Lalita Kala Thorana will come alive with folk dances and a throwback to Telangana movement’s ‘Dhoom Dhaam’.

Ravindra Bharathi’s main hall will be a showcase of dances and music programmes by eminent and emerging artistes, and the mini hall will bring alive the literary feat – ‘Ashtavadhanam’. The ‘Satahvadhanam’ will be held at Telangana Saraswatha Parishad. LB Stadium’s indoor space will have poetry readings throughout the day.

“It is an ambitious programme and we are doing everything we can to ensure that the mistakes from such events in the past are not repeated. However, writers should also take the initiative to make it a success. Hence, we are trying to streamline by asking for registrations that can also be done online,” states Sidda Reddy.

Commenting on the contention that the Andhra authors are not getting their due in event that is supposed to celebrate Telugu literature, “We are extending warm invitation to the writers from AP; many of them have confirmed their participation.

We shall be felicitating them in a grand way. However, what is the point in giving a stage to the literature that we have already read and enjoyed. We are doing this event to bring to light the treasure of literary work that has been lying in the shadows,” he poignantly points out. The Akademi hopes that WTC is going to be a memorable event.

To promote the same, around 300 hoardings are already coming up, and what deserves a mention is that the hoardings, while announcing WTC, are giving a tribute to iconic personalities from the Telangana like Bhagya Reddy Verma, PV Narasimha Rao, Ramadasu, Pothana, Palkuriki Somanna, Dasarathi, Kaloji, Vattikota Alwar Swamy among others. In addition, several literary events coinciding the conference and preluding it are already happening in all the districts of Telangana.

By Rajeshwari Kalyanam