THE WORLD TELUGU CONFERENCE
DR ARIPIRALA VISWAM
From
times immemorial Telugus had a distinct place in the cultural history of this sub-continent.
The origin of any race is a jumbled zig-saw. Same is
the case with the Telugu race. According to Itareya Brahmana, the name of Andha goes
by the race that is Telugu. Telugu is the country in which Andhas
(Andhakas) lived. Tenugu is
the language they had evolved–amalgamating several dialects. The terms Telugu, Tenugu and Andhra stand as synonymous to the country, the
race and their language.
Telugu
race has the history that could be candidly traced back to at least two thousand
five hundred years.
Passing
through the rise, decline and fall many a time, the Telugus retained their
integrated cultural heritage. It is to preserve and pay a glorious tribute to
that aspect, the World Telugu Conference has been
envisaged.
It
is the greatest event of this century. It became memorable in various aspects.
The main objective of the conference was to emotionally integrate the
Telugu-speaking people, and to evoke in them, who were disturbed by the two
agitations, a feeling of fraternity. Language alone can forge unity. Along with
language the culture also should be preserved. Culture is a way of life expressed
and manifested through religion, arts, language and philosophy. Due prominence
has been given to encourage the cultural programmes. The procession that was
taken out in this connection was spectacular. During the week long festival, an
estimated crowd of twenty lakhs was said to have
witnessed.
Seminars
The
stalwarts in the field of art, science and every other branch of culture have
participated. At the Nagarjunapeetha, discussions
were held every day. More than a hundred papers were presented and 28 topics were
thoroughly discussed and about 500 eminent periods have taken part in the deliberations.
This
conference has firmly established that culture has the greatest impact over
political and individual motivations. Emotional integration was thus realized.
Cultural
Programmes
At
the Sri Krishna Devaraya Durbar, in Kakateeyanagar, cultural programmes were conducted every day
for about 10 hours. Over 100 such
programmes were presented, and about 1500 artistes took part. Some of the
salient features of Telugu heritage like Harikatha, Burrakatha, Puppet-show, Veedhi Bhagavatam, Yakshaganam, Dappula Nrityam
received highest acclaim. These programmes have proved beyond any doubt, that
culture could lay the foundation-stone, for emotional oneness.
Exhibition
on “Telugus through the Ages”
At
Satavahananagar an exhibition has been arranged. This
exhibition reflected all the subtle nuances of the life of Telugus. The history,
sprawling over a long period of 2500 years, was thus reconstructed, with the
visual aid of paintings, murals, charts, maps, sculptures, plaster of paris relief models and replicas and old coins. Every care
has been taken to project all aspects of Telugu Culture. It was acclaimed by one
and all. The Telugu heart which rejoiced at the conference has overflowed with
ecstasy at the history of its race being depicted in the exhibition. This has
left an indelible impression over their inner experience.
Honouring the
Celebrities
Over
250 Telugu celebrities were honoured on this historic
occasion. The Telugu genius, that has spread over all the
nooks and corners of the world, was honoured.
It is indeed a memorable moment to have been able to witness such a great
event.
History
tells of the honours bestowed upon poets and scholars
Raja Raja Narendra, Sri
Krishna Devaraya and Golconda
Nawabs who were great patrons of letters.
It
is also equally true that, for the first time, a people’s Government honoured, in the presence of such a mighty gathering,
eminent men adored by the general public.
Monographs
Apart
from the souvenir brought out in this connection, nearly hundred monographs
have been published on various subjects. Each monograph was commissioned to a
specialist in that field. Souvenirs in Telugu, English, Hindi, Urdu and Marathi
were brought out.
The Three
Fruits
About
100 delegates from abroad, 1200 delegates from other states and 5,000 from
Andhra Pradesh attended the conference. The conference proved beyond doubt that
next to Hindi, Telugu is spoken by the largest number of persons in the country. A type of cultural and intellectual
understanding was achieved among the delegates. To make these relations permanent,
it has been decided by the Government to establish an International Institute
and through it secure, at national and international level, the renaissance of
Telugu language and culture. An amount of Rs. 3 lakhs has already been allotted for the establishment of this
Institute and it has been decided to secure
financial assistance from the UNESCO. The setting up of this Institute
might be considered as the first fruit of this conference.
Likewise,
a “Telugus through the Ages” Museum at
The
conference has also brought forth the need for state assistance towards the
maintenance and development of Telugu culture in the other states of the country
as well as abroad. In this connection the Chief Minister’s announcement that there
will be a separate cell for this purpose in the secretariat is most encouraging.
This will definitely secure greater solidarity among the Telugus all over the
world. This is the third result that came of the conference.
Films
People
who attended the conference, witnessed the cultural programmes, participated in
the discussions, saw the exhibition and read the literature. For the benefit of
those millions of people who were not able to attend the conference and witness
the proceedings a documentary has been produced. It will indeed be a poem in celluloid.
Arrangements are being made to exhibit the film throughout the country.
Likewise, a 16 mm. film is being produced for exhibiting in schools and
colleges. Not only the great festival of the conference, but also the ‘Telugus
through the Ages’ would be brought before the youth.
Telugu
Film Festival
During
the conference, a Telugu Film Festival was organized. The delegates who
attended the conference had an opportunity of not only seeing good Telugu films
but had also the advantage of seeing the famous cine-artistes.
Whatever
might be the other outcome, the awareness of cultural integration among people
has candidly been forged, in that the conference is unique and memorable in the
history of the Telugus.