Fuelling change through film - The Hindu

Fuelling change through film - The Hindu

Fuelling change through film

B.V.S. BHASKAR

A scene from the short-film ‘’Save oil...for Safe tomorrow’

A short-film taken by dozen youth of Rajahmundry gave a thought-provoking message as well as reminded the public about social responsibility. The main theme of the story is conservation of oil and how people are wasting petroleum products in their daily life. For value addition, the two young directors of the film have taken sound bytes of Deputy Chief Minister N. China Rajappa and convinced MLC Chaitanya Raju to act as guest artist.“Save oil today-for Safe tomorrow” is the title of the film and it was directed by Assistant Commercial Tax Officer of Peddapuram L. Nagaraju and experienced short-film director and engineering student Tarun Kalim of Rajahmundry. Mr. Nagaraju is trained in Annapoorna Film Institute and he wrote the dialogue and script for the short-film. The entire story revolves around Krishnaveni, an engineering student who is pursuing her petrochemical engineering in Dehradun. The added advantage of the role is that Krishnaveni was played by popular Kuchipudi dancer and Y. Lalitha Sindhuri. She was supported by Sirisha, Reshmi Nayar, Naidu and K. Sandeep -- all youngsters, and Bhaskar, Chayavaralakshmi and Malleswari.

The story of the short-film is around a small family of wife, husband and their daughter who wants to spread the message of oil conservation throughout the film. She argues, enlightens, spreads awareness among schoolchildren, gives examples on how we waste fuel such as petrol, diesel and gas.

“Why are you taking out bike rallies on the occasion of your leader’s birthday? Why don’t you distribute some fruits or bread to the poor in any of the hospitals in the city?” she asks a group of youth who argues with Krishnaveni. Directors Nagaraju and Tarun said, “We have produced two more films earlier on banning of plastic bags, which got award in International Eco Film festival held in Goa and on traffic awareness and this is the third.” said Padmaja, secretary of BEST, an NGO. She added that ONGC has supported in making the short-film.

Man of many shades - The Hindu

Man of many shades - The Hindu

Man of many shades

B. V. S BHASKAR

 

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  Memorable momentsMaddali Janakinath; Janakinath being felicitated by former deputy speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, minister Venkat Reddy and others.
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Profile Patronage for theatre arts and artistes must improve, opines Maddali Janakinath. B. V. S Bhaskar

Leading life as a stage artiste for 50 years isn’t easy. Nor is getting Nandi Awards from the state government and recognition from Potti Sriramulu Telugu University for theatre. Only one artist, Maddali Janakinath, could achieve this.

Janakinath proved that people can remember even character artistes, not only hero, heroine, villain and comedians. Such is his personality that people of Rajahmundry call him “SP garu” for his performance as Superintendent of Police (SP) character in the play Sanchalanam. The role not only brought him the third Nandi Award from the State government in 2013 but the play also won 21 awards from different cultural organisations, including USA-based Abho-Vibho.

“His articulation, modulation, bass voice and exemplary expressions are his strengths. No character actor could display such talent with good timing and synchronisation with other characters in a play,” said his mentor late Prasadamurthy, who founded the cultural organisation Kalavani.

Some of Janakinath’s roles in plays are unforgettable — Barmen, the character of a British officer inVeerapandya Katta Bramhanna, the touching old man in Alarasa Puttillu and of Bulusu Sambamurthy in Amarajeevi a play for which he also gave a background voice.

His first Nandi award for Best Character Actor in 2008 was given for his portrayal of ‘Share Khan’ character in Santhi Yatra, a play staged during the Vizianagaram Nandi Natakotsavams. He got his second Nandi Award in 2010 for his great performance as Phule in Mahatma Jyothi Rao Phule play in Khammam. The third Nandi in 2013 was for his SP character in Sanchalanam .

Janakinath was born on 23 April 1950 in Mangalagiri, a pilgrim centre in Guntur district and spent his childhood in Munnagi village near Tenali. His stage debut happened at the age of 12 when he was asked to act in lead role in Nirudyogi ; he won the best actor award for it. He went on to act in many plays in Guntur Hindu College while pursuing B.A. Degree. He was also a member of Tenali’s famous cultural organisation Abhudaya Kalasamiti and Guntur’s Vasanthavani Theaters.

Then his family moved to the cultural capital of the state — Rajahmundry. This was a major turning point in his life and he was invited by Railway Institute Nataka Samajam, where he was given an important character in Devudoo nidra le play. Here he also had an opportunity to meet the legendary playwright-director Tammareddi Janaki Ramanatham. Naagulu Thirige Konalo was their first play.

Janaki Ramanatham penned and directed Nannayya Maha Bharatham , in which Janakinath was given Dronacharya character. He was also asked to give commentary for the Nannayya Maha Bharatham . Once, when the troupe staged the play in Madras N.T. Ramarao was particularly impressed by Janakinath’s commentary and portrayal of the character of Dronacharya; he even lauded and felicitated Janakinath. The play was also staged at Sri Venkateswara University and Sriharikota.

Janakinath was an ‘A’ grade artiste at All India Radio, Vijayawada, and a regular artiste in Doordarshan and other TV channels. “Stage plays are getting support in other states, particularly in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The AP government’s support is very meagre, particularly the pension for aged stage artistes is a negligible amount. The government should see that it should be increased immediately; at the same time youth should be given training in theatre arts,” opines Janakinath who wants to continue his journey till his last breath

Call for industrial promotion in Godavari region - The Hindu

The Hindu

Call for industrial promotion in Godavari region

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

TDP Rajahmundry Rural MLA Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary on Friday appealed to the management of International Paper (IP) to play a greater role in Industrial promotion in the Godavari region post bifurcation.

Job opportunities

Addressing a function in connection with the release of a book titled “Eastern Musings”, Mr. Chowdary asked IP chairman W. Michael Amick Jr. to expand the Rajahmundry-based Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills (APPM) Limited, an arm of IP to the other side of the Godavari river in West Godavari district also so as to provide employment opportunities to the local unemployed youth.

He offered to take up the expansion proposal, if made by the management with the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

APPM lauded

Dr. Akula Satyanarayana, city MLA praised the APPM for it becoming `lifeline of the city’ during its 50 years of existence.

Superintendent of Police T. Ravikumar Murthy highlighted the need for the APPM management to promote industrial peace by maintaining cordial relationship with workers.

The book “Eastern Musings” with feature articles representing different facets of socio and cultural life of East Godavari district authored by The Hindu Special Correspondent BVS Bhasakar based in the City was brought out by the IP on completion of 50 years by APPM. IP Chairman W. Michael Amick Jr. and Managing Director Rampreaveen Swaminathan spoke on the occasion

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