Genesis of World Telugu Conference : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Genesis of World Telugu Conference

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Telangana Today (08-12-2017)

The stage is all set for the conduct of World Telugu Conference (WTC) and just a week’s time is left for the grandeur demonstration of rich Telangana and world Telugu heritage. The idea to conduct the first ever and first of its kind Telangana World Telugu Conference in the historic city of Hyderabad in a big way and on a massive scale, was conceived by Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar, for the first time, on May 2, 2017. Initially the CM thought of organizing the Conference from June 2, the state formation day to June 10. As a prelude to this, the same day, CM appointed noted writer Nandini Sidhareddy as Chairman of the Telangana Sahitya Academy and announced that the WTC would be held under the auspices of the Sahitya Academy. I had the privilege of participating in that meeting that the CM chaired in Pragati Bhavan and later in several meetings on the subject. CM decided that the WTC should be held on a massive scale, invitations should be sent to the Telugu literary personalities all over the globe, other states, displaying different genres of the Telugu language and literature and publish several manuscripts of the great writers and poets.

The second review and the pre-preparatory meeting was held on May 5, 2017, in which CM desired that the WTC should reflect the contribution of Telangana to the enrichment of the Telugu language and literature from times immemorial. He wanted individuals and organizations striving hard for the development and spread of Telugu from countries like US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, gulf as well as from places like Mumbai, Surat, Bhiwandi, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, Sholapur, Orissa and from neighboring state AP should be extended invitations to participate in the WTC. The CM provided the leadership, gave guidance, directions and clear road map for the WTC.

“Umpteen individuals from Telangana have contributed richly for the development and spread of Telugu language, literature and several genres. From Pothana to the modern literature, there have been many Telangana writers and poets who made valuable contributions for the enrichment of the Telugu language and literature. The WTC should recollect and recognize their contributions. WTC will be an occasion to show to the world how Telangana had been contributing to the development and enrichment of Telugu language and literature for years together. We are going to showcase how eminent personalities from here have contributed to the literature for ages. The proposed Conference should unveil to the world, the rich Telangana literary repository. The Conference should become a dais to explain how the literature is reflecting the ever-changing facets of society and to show all genres of literature. From Bammera Pothana, Palkuri Somanthdu to till date, poetry, prose, free verse and other genres of literature should come for a discussion. The yeomen services rendered by scholars, Avadhanis for the enrichment of literature should also come up for discussion. Discussions shall also take place on the verse, folk songs, cinema songs and a plethora of books written on a wide range of genres. It should provide an opportunity to exhibit the unity among the Telangana Telugus. The proposed Conference should also provide an opportunity to publish the unpublished works of Telangana scholars, poets, writers and other eminent personalities” said Chief Minister KCR.

The third review meeting was held on May 17, 2017 wherein it was felt that due to shortage of time the WTC could be slated to October.  However, in the subsequent review and preparatory meeting held on September 12, 2017 CM taking into consideration the suggestion made by the Sahitya Academy and due to pre-occupation with the Global Entrepreneurs Summit, decided to postpone and to be held from December 15 to 19, 2017. An amount of Rs. 50 Crores was sanctioned for conducting the WTC.

As part of organizing the World Telugu Conference and couple of weeks before, the CM has taken an historic policy decision to make Telugu a compulsory subject in all educational institutions till Intermediate level. Telugu learning is made compulsory even in Urdu medium schools and junior colleges. He also instructed the Sahitya academy to prepare the textbooks, which should be mandatory in all the educational institutions. He also instructed that all the name boards should be display in Telugu compulsorily. In the same meeting it was also decided to organise debates, discussions on the prominence of Telugu literary forms that emerged from Telangana and showcase them to the world in the WTC.

The CM wanted the main platform to be at Lal Bahadur Stadium, where the inaugural and valedictory functions to be held on a grand scale. He wanted Hyderabad to be decked up for the occasion. He has instructed that at the main dais at LB Stadium should have besides literary and music programmes, Food Courts, Book Exhibition, Selling outlets, Handi Crafts sales emporium, exhibitions by the Archeological department. He wanted decorations should be done both inside and outside the LB Stadium. He also wanted the cut outs of Telugu Literary figures to be put up at the LB Stadium.

As desired by the CM, preparatory meetings were held abroad and other states within the country as well as main towns and cities in the Telangana State. The CM said, “Along with the scholars, literary admirers will also come in large number and hence arrangments for the traffic, parking and security should be made. Organise variety of programmes from morning to the night at the other platforms. The main programmes should be held from 6 to 9 Pm daily at the LB stadium. Organise cultural programmes along with the literary ones there. Arrange food stalls with Telangana recipes at the LB Stadium. Arrange exhibition of other cultural forms. Organise a Laser show on Telangana history, culture, tradition and attire. On the last day there should be burst of firecrackers. Entire city should be decked up and should reflect festivity. Put up welcome arches and decorate the junctions. Telugu literary personalities should be given to the welcome arches. Fly Balloons. Along with Telugu, to reflect Hyderabad culture, organise Urdu Mushairas and Qawwali.  Felicitate those personalities who were doing service for the development Telugu from music, literary and cultural fields. Coordinate with the Postal department to issue a commemorative stamp on the occasion. Arrange reception centres at Airport, railways stations and Bus stops to help the visitors. Distribute a book comprising information on Telugu festivals, years, months, Almanac among the gathering,” the CM suggested.

Among the other review meetings, the meeting held at Pragati Bhavan under the chairmanship of the CM on November 20 had attained prominence for more than one reason. This meeting was held with more than 60 scholars who had firm grip over the Telugu language, literature, and other genres. Across the state, these 60 scholars each having a mastery over the subject have attended the meeting and the way the CM raised some issues and topics was exemplary.

The CM made a detailed statement on the WTC in the Legislative Assembly on November 17, 2017.