The drought of Jnapith award for Telugu writers was ended when Paakudurallu , the literary work of Telugu novelist Ravuri Bharadhwaja was selected for the prestigious Jnanpith Award in 2012 by the Sahitya Akademi giving an impetus to Telugu writers to excel.
However, the division of the state has come at a most inopportune time when we have to build on our strengths and give a fillip to Telugu literature'' feel men of letters here. It was only two other Telugu writers Viswantha Satyanarayana (1971) and C.Narayana Reddy (1988) have won the highest literary award.
It's high time the new Government form a full-fledged university delinking from the one in Hyderabad with functional autonomy and financial support from the University Grants Commission in Navya Andhra to promote research in Language and Literature, History and Culture, Fine Arts and Performing Arts,'', says Prakasam district Writers Association President B.Hanuma Reddy while talking to The Hindu .
He underscored the need for translating a good number of Telugu literary works into English, Hindi and other Indian languages for littérateurs from within the country and abroad to appreciate their works. The proposed university at Rajahmundry should have a separate budget and take up the task of nurturing creativity among young writers and recommend their names for national-level awards.
Though Telugu, the most widely spoken Dravidian language had been recognised as classical language by the Centre in 2008, a pending court case in Madras High Court against the Centre's decision had put paid to their hopes of utilising the central grant of rs 100 crore released to the state for promotion of the language, lamented Mr Hanuma Reddy, also a noted advocate here. The State government should take immediate steps to ensure vacation of the stay and early disposal of the case.
The Sahitya, Sangeeta, Nataka, Nritya and Lalita Kala Academies should also be set in the new state to showcase the rich Telugu culture, opines its Secretary Ponnuri Venkata Srinivasulu.The Official Language Commission should also be set in the new state to take up activities to nurture the sweet language and showcase the rich Telugu culture.
Guntalakamma Rachaythula Sangam President Sagar Sriramakavacham feels that Vijayawada, which had been a major publication centre during the freedom struggle, should get back its past glory. All publications, which had shifted their operations to Hyderabad soon after independence, should be housed in Vijayawada as also electronic and print media, the noted poet adds.
Music and Dance colleges should be set up in all the 13 districts to attract youth to fine arts, opines Thyagaraja Mandiram founder P.Ramachandramurthy.
