The World Telugu Conference

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 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 Hyderabad will be permanently established by the Government. An amount of Rs. 5 lakhs has been collected and contributed for this purpose by the citizens of the capital City. The Government would also extend financial assistance for the same. This Museum would be the pride of Hyderabad and should be a centre of great tourist interest. This could be reckoned as the second fruit of the conference.

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.