World Telugu Conference, the blossoming of Telugu Language

World Telugu Conference

the blossoming of Telugu Language

The State Government decided to organize the prestigious World Telugu conference, aa a memorable event, to highlight the origin, evolution, growth and blossoming of Telugu Language and Literature in Telangana.  Telugu Language, known as the “Ajanta Literature”, has a global applause for its sounding connotations, musical language and a hoary literary inheritance.  Nicholas Conti, a noted Western Professor referred Telugu as the “Italian of the East” while Subrahmanya Bharathi, Tamil National Poet adorned it as “Beautiful Telugu”. Since times immemorial, Telangana has been a fertile ground for the Telugu Literary Treasure. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao made a statement in the Assembly to this effect.

Historical evidences prove that vocabulary of Telugu Language has been in existence in Telangana for over 2000 years.  In fact, one can witness the basic Telugu language jargon usages in King Haala’s “Gaatha Sapthasathi” belonging to the first century itself. Another epigraphical evidence could be found in the “Jina Vallabha inscriptions” of Bommalammagutta in Kurikyala village of Karimnagar District wherein the inscription contains the four lines “Kanda stanzas”, an extremely popular presentation of Telugu poetic form.  Based on this, it is evident that Telangana by 947 AD itself had seen grammatical based literature.  Telangana is also the birth place of highly native experimental songs like “Dwipada”-the two-liners.  Palkurki Somana of Palakurthy village in Jangaon district, had proudly declared to the world that he would create Telugu Literature not full of profoundness but by using simple indigenous words thus crowning the language.

Telangana stood in forefront in creating various Telugu Literary genres.  The first Telugu composition of “Basava Purana”, first ever “Vrishadhipa Sataka” and the exemplary “Basavodaharanam” are invaluable poetical works of Palkurki Somana.  The varied literary experiments of Somana in fact became empirical for Telugu Literature in due course. All these unequivocally establish the Land of Telangana as the path finder in the growth of Telugu Literature over a period.

Gona Buddha Reddy’s “Ranganatha Ramayana” is the popular “Dwipada Poetry” (metrical poetry consisting couplet/two feet) in simple Telugu which was effusive in its simple Telugu usage.  “Yayaathi Charitra” of Ponniganti Telangana of Pathancheru in Medak District was the first ever un adulterated purest form of Telugu language.  Similarly, Madiki Singana of Ramagiri of Peddapally District wrote the “Sakala Neethi Sammatham” which was the first ever Law book in Telugu.  Likewise, Koravi Goparaju of Bhimgal of Nizamabad District compiled the first ever Telugu Story Book called “Simhasana Dwatrimsika”.  Vemulawada Bhimakavi of Vemulawada was famous for his “Çhaatu Padyalu”- poetry with a hidden meaning which has great entertainment value.  Pillalamarri Pina Veerabhadrudu of Nalgonda district who wrote “Jaimini Bharatam” went ahead and declared as “vani naa raani” - language my queen.  King Sarvagna Singa Bhupaala of Rachakonda was known as literary king too apart from being a ruler.

Known as the virtuous pinnacle of Telugus “The Srimad Bhagavatham” of Bammera Pothana is known for its divine love of eternal devotion, tender composition and beautiful grammatical style which gave it an everlasting name and fame.  Bammera village today stands as a representative of rich literary heritage of Telangana.  Various other genres like as “Dwardhi, Tyardhi, Chaturardhi, Chitra, Bandha and Avadhaana”    enrich Telugu language with alliterations, simile, hyperbole, etc.  Apart from this traditional literature, Telangana is also abode to several lively folk traditions.  Telangana keeps preserving this treasure of folk songs and folk traditions which spread fragrance of language.  Linked to the various working classes, these songs of the rural folk are quite varied with those related to the agricultural activity and other aspects of the rural life that reflect the inner beauty of the mankind.  Again, the group songs like “Bathukamma-Mother Life- songs”, “Kamudii Punnama songs”, “Asoi Dhoola” etc. reflect the social and the cultural milieu of Telangana.  All these are passing on the richness of the language, literature and the usage from generation to generation down the line.  “Chirutala Ramayana”, “Harikatha”, “Yakshagaanam”, “Oggu Kathalu”, “Budiga Jangala Sarada Kathalu”, “Baala Santhula Paatalu” etc. and other explosive forms have enriched Telangana’s Telugu.

However, gloom engulfed the hoary literary tradition of Telangana in the erstwhile state.  Only a partial interpretation of the literary history was in circulation.  The works of our literary giants gathered dust and remained unknown treasure to the world.  In fact, the very nativity of the like of Vemulawada Bhima Kavi and Bammera Pothana were distorted.  At one point of time, an extremely skewed argument to paint picture that Telangana never gave birth to any poet of repute became prevalent.  It was at this juncture, that, an eminent historian and litterateur, Suravaram Pratapa Reddy published an edition of “Golkonda Poets” consisting of 354 poetical works by going around the nook and corner of Telangana. This reminds a turning point of Telangana Self Respect and victorious literary high point. 

Maha Kavi Dasaradhi-the Great Poet- who created profound metrical poetry like “Agni Dhaara” and “Rudra Veena” in an unparalleled efficacy described the land of Telangana as My Mother Telangana – “Naa Telangana Tally Kanjatavalli”. Raavella Venkata Rama Rao of Khammam District praised the greatness of Mother Telangana, its geographical features and riches and called it a precious heavenly garden. People’s poet Kaloji Narayana Rao not only propagated the greatness of Telangana language but also gave a befitting reply to those who were sarcastic of Telangana pronunciation.

It is in this backdrop that the Telangana people revolted against the discrimination in all fields to achieve the dream of separate statehood for Telangana.  The Telangana State Government has firmly resolved to spread the greatness of Telugu Language in Telangana all over the world, shaping along the lines that people dreamt of it.  It is dedicated for enriching the lives of the younger generation with the greatness of their mother tongue.  Realizing the need to ensure regular study, research, analysis, publishing and propagation of the richness of this language, the State Government has established Telangana Sahitya Academy with noted Telangana poet Nandini Sidha Reddy as its Chairman.  The Government has recently issued orders making Telugu Language compulsory study for all students from the primary level to intermediate in the State. As part of its efforts to preserve and strengthen the language further it has decided to host World Telugu Conference in a prestigious manner.

World Telugu Conference will be held under the aegis of Telangana Sahitya academy from 15 December to 19 December 2017. The celebrations would be spread over various stadia with the Lal Bahadur Stadium as a Centre Stage whereas Ravindra Bharathi, Indira Priyadarshini Auditorium and Telugu University Auditorium will be the other places of various other programs forming part of conference.  The whole city would be decorated up with arches, gates, hoardings named after the famous literary figures who enriched not only the language but also our lives.

The State Government is extending a warm welcome to all the admirers and enrichers of Telugu language, not only from Telangana State, but also those who settled in other States and abroad.  The seminars in this regard would discuss all Telugu Literary Genres threadbare. These seminars besides recalling the past glory of the language, would be analyzing the present status and will also throw light on the futuristic goals.  This would form a basis for further research.  The cultural programs that supplement and complement the conference will showcase the greatness of Telangana culture.  A new Bonhomie among the delegates who come to attend the meet from across the world, is expected to blossom and brotherhood would flourish.  These seminars would also introduce the Telangana literary tradition to the younger generation to spark a new interest among them to embrace the same.

The State Government has already sanctioned an amount of Rs. 50 crores for organizing the meet besides Rs.5 lakhs to each district for preparatory meetings.  Literary competitions to students in the fields of essay writing, debate, poetry recitation and writing in all the schools, colleges and universities in in progress.  In addition, preparatory meetings are being held in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore.  In the days to come, more such meetings would take place in not only Andhra Pradesh but also in other states and countries where Telugus live in substantial number.  Several national level personalities are all set to grace the inaugural and subsequent day celebrations of the conference. 

Telangana Government is keen that all the national and international guests are provided with the best of accommodation, food and local transport facilities, wherein every aspect reflects the Telangana uniqueness. Those who are enthusiastic to take part in the conference should contact the World Telugu Conference Special Office at Ravindra Bharathi premises or register the names through the special web sites.

The elected people representatives will focus on the literature that has emanated from their area and bring its uniqueness and any special works that have not seen the light of the day to the notice of the Chairman of the Telangana Sahitya academy Nandini Sidha Reddy.  They can knock at the doors of the Academy in Ravindra Bharathi any time and they would be heartily welcomed to bring such features into light.

The Chief Minister while making a statement in the Legislative Assembly requested the Officials and the Administration along with the MLAs to treat the conduct of the conference as a matter of prestige.  CM called upon all the literary personalities and admirers of literature to enthusiastically become a part of the Telugu Festival whole heartedly and make the World Telugu Conference a huge success.

(Source: CM Statement in Assembly on 17^th November 2017)