The World Telugu Conference-2017 (WTC) that will get underway in another 11 days has two significant features - it is the first conference to celebrate Telugu language, literature and culture after it was accorded classical language status last year.
It was a long wait of eight years for Telugu to get classical language status after the Central Government accorded the status in 2008 only to be challenged by an attorney from Tamil Nadu. His contention was that Telugu language did not have 1000-year history as literary tradition. The Madras High Court had granted a stay on the classical status till the writ petition was disposed.
An appeal against petition was filed and in 2015, the Telangana Government pursued the case and evidence was submitted to prove that Telugu enjoyed 1,000-year-old history. Some of the evidence it produced included Kurikyala stone edict in Jagityal district that had couple of inscriptions of ‘Kanda Padhyalyu’ in Telugu.
Another evidence was ‘Adikavi’ Pampa, the renowned scholar who had written both in Kannada and Telugu, hailed from Bodhan, says Secretary, Tourism and Culture, B. Venkatesham.
The WTC provided the second context for the young State of Telangana to showcase the historical contribution of its scholars and poets to Telugu literature as well as to bring into focus the culture, traditions and way of life in the new Telugu State.
Telangana region and its language somehow did not get the due recognition in the combined State. Its scholars and poets were not given the glory they deserved though the major iteration of literary styles emanated from here - be it ‘Dwi pada’, prose and even ‘Prabandham’.
“The intention is not to cast aspersions on any one but to celebrate the Telugu language, literature and contribution of poets and writers from this region too,” officials of the Culture and Tourism Department hasten to point out.
Palakurthy Somana, eminent writer from Janagaon, is on par with Nannayya and authored Vrushadhipa Shatakas -- first of its kind among Shatakas .
Bammera Potana whose Bhagavatham is adored by Telugus hailed from Bammera in Janagaon though some claimed he was from Kadapa.
An eminent historian Komarraju Laxman Rao put the controversy to rest by proving that Pothana hailed from Bammera in Telangana, says Advisor (Culture) K.V. Ramanachary.
The World Telugu Conference, to be held from December 15 to 19 at Lal Bahadur Stadium, will be inaugurated by Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu and the valedictory will be graced by President Ram Nath Kovind.
About 6,000 delegates have registered to attend the conference and representatives would come from 30 countries and 12 States across the country and every day 20,000 to 25,000 people are expected to attend the programmes.
Apart from the LB Stadium, main venue for the inaugural, valedictory, daily plenary and evening cultural programmes, six more venues - would host various events - literary discussions, poetry recitations, avadhanam and cultural programmes - from 11 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
