First America Telugu Symposium - 1998, Atlanta
PALANA (nparinand@cas.org)
Wed, 27 May 1998 11:03:52 -0400
Well! Let me bell the cat!
Overall, the symposium went well.
The Keynote address by Prof. Velcheru Narayanarao was the highlight.
Speeches by other invited speakers, Dr. Kovela Sampatkumaracharya, Dr.
Akkiraju Ramapatirao (Manjusri), Sri Indraganti Srikantha Sarma (Andhra
Prabha Editor), and Sri Akella (writer and cine script writer) were
equally good and well-received.
Dr. Veluri Venkateswara Rao's story-telling was superb (on Telugu
teachers). What a humor-filled reality he did show! Even the chairs
laughed non-stop throughout his nerration.
Dr. Chowdary Jampala's review on recent 8 years of Telugu Story was
exceptionally great. He timed it well, organized it scientifically and
delivered it neatly. It was well-received also.
Smt. Aravinda Pillalamarri's talk was also well-delivered and
well-received. She did a fantastic job. She is role model for other
second generation Telugus and Telugu kids. She should be proud of
herself.
Dr. Vanguri Chittenraju's story as read by him (daMta vEdAMtaM) was
outstandingly hilarios - his wit was a humor-inducer.
The session on computer application vs. Telugu language and literature
was also a highlight. Dr. Bapa Rao spoke on the optical character
recognition. Sri Vadlamani Viswanath spoke on fonts. Sri Prasad
Chodavarapu Spoke on Rangavalli, Telugu Fonts and other aspects of
Telugu software. Dr. Vemuri Venkateswara Rao organized this session very
well.
Debate on establishing an Endowed Telugu Chair in one of the US
Universities was one of the priorities. Majority of the attendees agreed
to establish a Telugu chair. A committee has been appointed to further
pursue in this aspect to look into various aspects of this which
consists of Dr. Kalisapudi Sreenivasa Rao, Dr. Kidambi Raghunath, Dr.
Jampala Chowdary, Dr. Vanguri Chittenraju, and Prof. Velcheru
Narayanarao. Of course this committe will also work closely with every
Telugu citizen of the US. Dr. Gavarasana Satyanarayana, who submitted
the memorandum, advocating for the Telugu Chair is also going to
supervise some of the forthcoming activities of this committe. The
debate was left to the floor and several discussions were carried out.
Several important questions were asked by the attendees. Important
suggestions were made on how to approach this challenging task. Dr.
Pemmaraju Venugopalarao was the moderator. The formation of this
committee was an important outcome of this conference. Hopefully, this
will lead into another successful result leading to the establishment of
the Telugu Chair in the US.
BOOKS RELEASED:
(1) Tiruppavai - Telugu Translation and English Version.
with Bapu's colorful and beautiful paintings.
(Someone should review this book).
This was well-done.
Prof. Pemmaraju Venugopalarao garu did a superb job in providing the
English version of the Telugu Tiruppavai.
Sri Mullapudi Venkataramana wrote a nice piece at the beginning.
Dr. Jampala Chowdary's essay on Bapu's paintings was a nice and
compact review on that subject ever written in English. Also, he was
the editor of that book.
Please buy this book. It is worth-reading and can be a keepsake.
Published by the Vanguri Foundation.
(2) Kadha Samkalanam 1998.
The Vanguri Foundation conducts annual Telugu story competition
for America Telugu writers. They conducted one such competition
this year. Prof. Pemmaraju Venugopalarao was the chief editor.
This year' first prize was bagged by Sri K.V. Rama Rao (a telusAer).
I haven't read this volume. Someone should review this.
Published by the Vanguri Foundation.
(3) Kavita Samkalanam 1998.
The first poetry volume released by Vanguri foundation. Prof.
Pemmaraju Venugopalarao was the chief editor. This volume contains
poetry written by America Telugu writers.
Published by the Vanguri Foundation.
(4) Veluri Venkateswararao's Story Collection
Metamorphosis
The Editor was Dr. Velcheru Narayanarao (if I am not wrong).
This book has cute stories written by VRV. Get it and read it.
Know the wit of Veluri from his stories. He is not happy with his
stories released as a book but the readers are and will enjoy them.
He said "Had I known that you are going to release such a book, I
would have written stories just like that jute mill."
Published by Vanguri Foundation.
The Symposium Committee should feel proud that they accomplished a great
thing by releasing 4 books in one year. Certainly it is an achievement.
I can not review those books here and will leave it to someone with
taste and expertise.
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Releasing Tiruppavai and other books is an achievement.
Formation of a committee to oversee the Telugu Chair Project is a
progress.
Computerization vs. Telugu is definitely leading to a bigger project.
MINOR PROFITS
Friends met friends.
New friends were made.
People heard talks by famous writers from Andhra.
People made enemies (Myself and another gentleman) :-)
Had a nice time at Mrs. and Mr. Suresh Kolichala's wedding reception.
I am extremely happy for him and his srImati.
INVALUABLE EXPERIENCES:
Enjoyed the company of Prof. Velcheru - man O man! This is a life-time
experience. I don't have to take a dip in Ganges!
Enjoyed the interview with Smt. Anasuya Devi conducted by Chy. Paruchuri
Sreenivas and Dr. Jampala. Great experience.
Enjoyed the company of Prof. Vemuri, Prof. Appajyosyla, Dr. Lakshmanna,
Sri Ramanna, Sri Madhav, Sri Chandra Kanneganti etc.
Thanks Dr. Vasundhara and Dr. Sreenivasarao Kalasapudi for such a nice
lunch. Make sure you don't do this on a daily basis - you have to
declare chapter 11.
PITFALLS:
I forgot those.
HATS OFF:
Prof. Pemmaraju gAru! Not only your dream came true (kalalOkalalO
---kala) but my dream came true too. We all enjoyed your hard labour.
He handled the entire conference single-handed and came out in flying
colors. His dedication and devotion are unparallel. Your effort led to a
solid foundation. Again! I am thankful to you for conducting this
symposium and giving me a chance to attend it and present my stuff.
If I had done anything wrong, please pardon me!
Dr. Vanguri Chittenraju! The man behind the fence. He worked hard.
He was instrumental in conducting this symposium. He sowed the seeds.
Against many odds and criticisms, he toiled and made his dream a
reality. He won a slot in the history. Next time, please let me know in
advance if you need any help. I am willing to work as a volunteer sir!
Thanks again for allowing me to attend your conference.
Sri Viswanadh Vadlamani and Sri Yellamraju! These two worked very hard.
They were sweating like crazy. Hats off to you for your hard work.
If I forgot any other volunteers, my complements to them also.
once again!
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---pAlana
Disclaimer: Opinions above are mine only.