Kolatam : A traditional dance form

Kolatam,a traditional dance form which is believed to have started from seventh century.Bhadrachalam decked up with gaiety to host the state level competitions.A couple of days back,several groups came here from different places.Every group has it's own dress code to be distinctive from others.Two sticks were used to make rhythmic sound while dancing for the song.The ground where the program has taken place filled with vibrant air.Action transformed into a joyful moments for spectators and participants alike.

All groups participated were having females of different ages.Colorful sarees and ornaments gave them added beauty during the Kolatam dance.Kothagudem group stood first and Karim nagar group bagged the second prize.All participants have been given certificates.Bhadradri Kala Nilayam conducted the program.Local dignitaries extended their help in the form of all possible ways.You're seeing in the picture was the group belonged to Kothagudem in the action.

Mutyalamma Jatara Concluded

The nine-day long celebrations of Mutyalamma Jatara (The fete of Goddess Mutyalamma) concluded today at Dummuguadem.The place is renowned for the biannual celebrations and which would draw large number of devotees from distant places.This time the event kick started on 11th and concluded on 19th of this month.Each day different rituals like Nitya aradhana,abhishekam and others have taken place.Dummugudem is almost 25 k.m. away from Bhadrachalam.And it was a navigational point during the British ruling.

The presiding Deity Mutyalamma Talli is synonymous with the place and the people who got out of it for the sake of livelihood would come here and contribute in the form of monetary and other capacities.And many devotees from several other places donated to support the event in a befitting way.And the contributors have been mentioned in the brochure along with the details of cultural activities on the occasion.TV artistes,Musical orchestra and other entertainments were there.

Small time traders floated their goods like toys,Bangles,porcelain ware,handy crafts and other things.The lanes of these outlets added attraction to the surrounding place.Usually fare is a common scenario in the Jatara.It facilitates children and adults alike buying something out there.Things remain as memorabilia.Another two years to witness the same fete.However,there is an influx of devotees everyday with unflinching faith and reverence.There are many people named after the Deity like Mutyala Rao or Mutyalu.

I visited the temple with Naren,a friend from my college days and have the darshanam on the last sunday with the assistance of a local friend,Byreddy Harsha who is pursuing his MBA at Vizag.The Organisers gave us an unexpected welcome with blaring repercussions as we have been there to release my latest Story collection.A book enthusiast and librarian Baby Kunja met there on the occasion.We have taken some pics to freeze the memories.

Festival days of Sri Vaikunta Ekadasi

Bhadrachalam decked up with all due adornments in view of Vaikunta Ekadasi Celebrations.Every year the Vaishnava traditional temple of Lord Rama draws devotees from many corners.This time celebrations would be lasted up to 28th of this month.And of course, it has commenced on 8th.Music concerts,Dance programs and other forms of devotional activities will be conducted during all these days and once, the place drew Sitar Legend Pandit Ravishankar,Renowned cine singer K.J.Yesudas and Carnatic music Legend Mangalampalli and many others as the performers.Comparing to the past glory,present scenario has to be enhanced in its quality.Nowadays mostly budding artistes and unknown professionals are being invited to perform during the festival season.

All these twenty days to be filled with talented ones to make it special.In fact,the important phenomenon of the festival is,the Deity to give darshanam  in Ten Incarnations(Dasavataaramulu).And on main festival a program of Boat Riding of the Deity in the river Godavari called "Teppotsavam" will be celebrated in a great pomp and gaiety.Visitors of all walks of life shall throng there by evening and which would last up to late night.Fire works of attractive designs and lighting entertain the people.There are adequate Temple related rooms,private lodges and other ones to accommodate in the town.

How to come: From Hyderabad and Vjayawada,you will get direct buses.And if you come by train,it  is available upto Bhadrachalam Road.That means a 35 k.m. from there by bus.Services available round the clock almost.

An Island Shrine

Mothi Gadda shrine is a very old construction and it is said to have built some centuries back.After renovation works completed which looked like a new one.But its inner pillars and some inscriptions on the walls tell tales about the existence of the temple.Here the presiding deity is Sri Veerabhadra along with te consort.The temple located in the midst of River Godavari,almost about 15 k.m.away from Bhadrachalam.In rainy season engulfed  with water and no chance to reach there.  

After rainy season ,with subsiding torrential floods,the place start drawing devotees and visitors but scanty in number.On Maha Siva ratri festival , we can witness large number of people to visit the deity.Whole area will be decorated all along the festival days.Other days almost very few are to be seen.A picturesque landscape with water and sand.

Bhadradri Balotsav: A Space for Showcasing Talent and much more

This year came again "Baalotsav" to make children happier and to showcase their different innate talents in essay writing,elocution,drama,dance,clay art and many other forms.It has been a tradition of encouraging school going kids at this platform created by Talluri Panchaksharayya Trust.Children would come here from Andhra and Telengana states.And of course open to any children belonging to any state in India.The event inaugurated here today (9.11.2018) and will be lasted upto 11.11.2018.

 Children used to attend here for the last several years.Arrangements are widely furnished with the association of enthusiastic partners like Telengana cultural department and other individuals as well.The 3 day event draw thousands of children along with their guardians and meticulous planning is the prime thing to execute all these activities.

For each event, stages are there separately and also display flexis are  exhibited to note the participating activity.Junior college ground and B.Ed college ground turned into accommodating spots.First day witnessed registration rush of participants along with other activities on without any delay.Judges came from far off places apart from local ones.

Betrothal Ceremony

Betrothal ceremony here in the picture has taken place in the house of Mr&Mrs Kolapudi V Kanta Rao garu.Their daughter sweety betrothed to a groom belonged to the same place.Cool evening witnessed the prayers and joy on the occasion.Friends and relatives turned up in a large number.Sumptuous feast followed by it.Late Kolapudi Jacob garu , the bride's grand father was a household name at Bhadrachalam for his services in the field of education.,the institute started and groomed by him transformed now into a renowned model school.

An abandoned house

Venkatapuram,once fondly called as Nuguru Venkatapuram now merged in Bhupalapalli district.All it happened with the effect of new districts creation.Back it was the part and parcel of Bhadrachalam division and Khammam district.And it is a closed chapter as of now. But memories evoke afresh whenever one visit the place.Here I am giving you a picture of the old building which seems to have abandoned long back.Perhaps some decades it could be. It attracted my attention to click at.The construction is just nearby the Venkateswara temple.By the way,Venkatapuram is renowned for the celebrations of Venkateswara kalyanam in the season of Holy.Almost which lasted for a week with all pomp and gaity.Wish you all a bright Deepavali.

Little Artistes at their best

Hindi diwas celebrated with pomp and gaiety at SNAM ZP High school of Narsa puram.Children displayed their innate theater skills on the occasion.Skits and impersonating renowned Hindi poets like Subhadra kumari Chouhan,Sumitanandan Pant and Meera Bai and so on.Their performance received applause from the staff and fellow students as well.

Hindi regarded as the most widely spoken language and Rashtra bhasha of India.And also incorporated its status in constitution on 14,September 1950.And the date is noted as Hindi diwas to be celebrated in various institutions.India has many regional launguages,yet Hindi is invariably the linga franca among the people of many states.Though English is there to have its speakers are mostly from educated people only.

Head Master Sri K.V.K.Kanta Rao garu spoke on the occasion.He uttered the importance of the Hindi and greeted all the children who performed in the skits.Hindi Teachers Sri.Madhusudan Rao garu has taken care to groom the children to perform the deftly written interactions.Hindi elocution winners and others got prizes.Other Hindi teachers Smt.Nagamani garu,Sri Bala garu extended their help in the event.Here are some pics for you all.Have a nice day.

A Man of Green Mission

The old man wearing a green color ornament with slogans is needed no introduction in the state of Telengana.He is none other than Daripaalli Ramayya of 87 years by age.Looked so simple and down to earth in attire and attitude.What contribution he made to the society is not ordinary.He planted more than 10 million saplings in and around Khammam district.In fact,he is known as Chetla Ramayya (Trees Ramayya) to the people.

Not one year or two years,Ramayya started his mission of planting trees since 50 years.Sidewalks,schools,offices,houses and what not ,every place he liked to be presented himself with different saplings.Planting has been a way of life for him.Green cover importance has been grasped by him through reading.He did not expect any laurels from people and started with a sheer interest of green ambiance in his locality.Slowly people recognized  his good work and encouraged him.

Ramayya got Padma Sri award in 2017 from the central government.But it did not change his way of life.Still he wakes up early in the morning to collect the seeds of different trees.And later on,keeps cycling to several places to spread his green mission.In one of his interviews said,he determined to dedicate for green coverage after the death of his only son some fifty years back and it gave him great solace as it served the environment in a great deal.

By the way,Ramayya visited Bhadrachalam today as a guest of the program of Green Bhadradri organisation.On the occasion the pic was clicked.Many other program volunteers are seen along with J.D.Lakshminarayana(ex joint director of C.B.I.) where he was also a guest to commemorate the event.

Our town's library

After a few days of hiatus,happened to be there at our branch library.All the place in and outside of it adorned with interesting things.Green environment updated with latest plants and message oriented posters  pasted inside.Apart from having facilities for reading ,there was something special with providing space and furniture for the candidates who are going for competitive exams.

By 9 p.m.at night one can be there to use the facilities. Many youngsters were seen in there busying with their studies. Unlike now, some years back the library very little place to accommodate many readers. With new building construction,a decade back to say,a phenomenal change happened with lush green ambience,water facility,time extension and staging philanthropic activities.

Walkers ground

Our ground located in the premises of Govt jr college keep serving the townsfolk to have morning walks.It has been a favourite place for slouching and meeting the like minded people to chat.
Both morning and evening,the ground looks peaceful with devoted walkers and fitness freaks.Now,it's gearing up for independence day celebrations by having a pedestal for the purpose.Works are under progress.Here's the picture describing arrangements for it.

Bhavesh Mishra helps out

A unique and never before of its kind in the history of our Bhadrachalam.Our town's branch library is the place where many youngsters are used to come here to prepare to pull off several competition exams including civil services.

Our sub-collector Sri Bhavesh Mishra and Mrs.Mishra keep coming to the library once a weak to teach the class in line of helping the aspirants.It has been happening for several weeks.This is the welcome trend to help out the needy youth.

In one of such classes,a boy attended has shown a unusual talent.He answered several arithmetic problems and got the attention of Sub collector couple.They applauded his meticulous sharpness and presented some books on the spot.