Telugu lyricist and writer Suddala Ashok Teja has underscored the need for making Telugu compulsory in schools in Andhra Pradesh.
Taking part in Prakasam District Telugu Writers Association conference ‘Sahiti Tridhamamu,’ he said this was the need of the hour to protect the Telugu language, poetry, literature and culture for posterity.
Expressing concern over the present trend of Telugu people giving preference for English to their mother tongue, he suggested prescribing a minimum of 50 marks in mother tongue mandatory for students aspiring to go abroad for higher studies.
He spoke elaborately on how songs influenced human behaviour from birth to death. He sang a few Padyams and won a big round of applause.
Referring to the controversy over selection of Nandi awardees, he opined that the government could not be blamed for the selection made by a committee for the purpose.
He felt that the bifurcation of the State did not go against the interest of the Telugu language. Despite the State’s division, all Telugu people were one. They should make concerted efforts to promote the language, he said.
Telugu Basha Udyamam leader K.Purushotam gave a vivid account of the Telugu Padyams, while Telugu Avadhani Garikapati Narasimha Rao spoke on Telugu sayings. Association general secretary Ponnuri Venkata Srinivasulu anchored the event, while president B.Hanuma Reddy presided over the meeting. Association State general secretary Ch.Prakash, and Praja Natya Mandali State honorary president Nalluri Venkateswarlu were present.
