Celebrating linguistic and cultural diversity

The Department of Language and Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh is organising a three-day programmes from Monday in connection with the International Mother Language Day at Sri Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao Government Music and Dance College Every year the International Mother Language Day is observed on February 21 to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. It was announced by UNESCO in the year 1999.

This year the department of Culture has taken the initiative and is orgainising a display of different art forms with the assistance of South Zone Cuntural Centre, Tanjavur in these three days. Melattur Bhagavata Yekshaganam “Bhakta Prahlada” was performed for the inaugural programme.

About 30 artistes performed this yekshaganam which was written by Saint Thyagarajaswamy. This musical based dance ballet impressed the audience. Dr Aravind, Bharatam R Mahalingam performed well. Hariharan’s nattuvangam, Aravind and Kaliya Murali vocal support gave richness to the ballet.

“Terakuttu” was also a novel and a new programmes for art lovers of the state. “Drowpadi Vastrapaharanam” was performed in this Terakkuttu style under the supervision of Dakshinamoorthy. Rajesh, Kumar, Sattivelu and Vinayakan were performed with the characters as Duryodhana, Dropadi, Dussasana and Karna. This art form holds resemblances with Kathakali.

On Tuesday the programmes commenced with folk music and folk dances by Praja Natya Mandali. The artistes rendered songs describing the importance of Telugu. A précised version of “Bhakta Prahlada” yekshaganam was performed by the team of Dr Chinta Ravi Balakrishna. As Hiranyakasypa, Chita has excelled and acclaimed laurels from the audience.

Similarly with soft expressions Maddali Sai Chandrika performed well as Leelavathi. The performance of Dhanya Sri as Prahlada and Tadepalli Sai Krishna as Narasimhaswamy also exhibited their talent. The other roles were acted by Bharath, Vempati Satya Prasad, K Swarna Sai, D Likhita, LV Mahathi, G Manogna and B Brundalika. Vocal support rendered by Kumara Suryanarayana and instrumental support by Kuravi Prasad (Nattuvangam), Pasumarthy Harinatha Sastry (Mridangam) and Kumar (Flute) gave richness to the performances.

“Telugu Talli” dance feature was staged by Koka Vijayalakshmi and troupe. This was written by Koka Vimalakumari. The ballet commenced with “Ma Telugu talliki Mallepudanda” and it showcased the important incidents that took place in the Golden era of Telugu language. The later part of the ballet was also described in the present situation for the Telugu language.

The artistes Nallamolu Srilakshmi as Telugu Talli, P Lakshmikanta Sarma performed well. Excellent dance items were performed by dancers Anusha, Krishnapriya, Haripriya, Revathi, Dharani, Tejaswini, Sumukhi, Balakalyani, Meghana, Keerthana, Priyasha, Pranavi Latha and Prerana. The feature was choreographed and directed by Koka Vijayalakshmi and music composed by Kumara Suryanarayana.

Jangam Vijayakumar composed and directed the dance feature “Telugu nata Vibhavam”. Maneesha and Sirisha performed in this ballet. This was portrayed to highlight Telugu legends like Brahmanaidu, Komaram Bheem, Alluri. The chief guest of the meeting Dr Chakapani, Chairman, Andhra Pradesh Lagistative council said that parents should teach Telugu and induct the beauty of Telugu to their children.

He also added that the Government is keen in protecting the Telugu language. “The public have to do their part to protect our mother tongue, the Telugu language,” said K. Ramakrishna in a meeting. He also said that parents should inculcate the habit of using the Telugu language in the house so that the children will also make start using the language and get familiar with it at an early age itself.

Noted poet and film personality Jonnavittual Ramalingeswara Rao said that the government should react spontaneously to protect the language by implementing of Telugu strictly at least up to eighth slandered. Ramalingeswara Rao rendered beautiful and apt poems duly describing the Telugu letters with the Saraswathidevi and with the music instruments. The recitation of Jonnavittuala was received well by the audience. Dr Palaparthy Syamalanada Prasad also spoke about the beauty and importance of using the mother tongue. Dr D Vijaya Bhaskar presided over the meeting.