The stage is set for the World Telugu Conference, a three-day event scheduled to commence on Thursday (December 27) at Tirupati. Nadipalli Ravi Kumar, an art teacher in Montessori institutions scattered across the city, represents the ilk of ‘Telugu bhasabhimaani’ which is currently suffering from the ‘so near and yet so far’ syndrome.
As the event drew closer and the hype surrounding it flashed across newspapers, the urge to contribute his mite to an occasion that aims to glorify Telugu language, grew only stronger in him.
After much dilly-dallying, he chose to make known his devotion to ‘Telugu Thalli’ in his own ‘small’ way. Ferreting out a chalk piece, he began to carve an image of ‘Telugu Thalli’ on it. For the next two days, he was busy scratching the surface of the chalk piece to convey amazing details of the figurine through his artistic talent.
If you thought that the art is a child’s play since chalk is soft and it makes it easy for the carver to manipulate it, there is a flip side to it. The chalk structure tends to be very delicate and the material is also extremely brittle and dusty. “I am happy that finally I found an innovative way to pay my respects to the Mother on this auspicious occasion. I may not be physically present at the venue.
But my faithfulness to Her reflects in this feat,” he says pointing to the details of the tiny figurine. Using sewing needle and a pencil blade, he gave definite shape to his innermost desire.
Mr. Ravi Kumar, who is recipient of Kala Ratna award, is also proficient in carving out images on soap cakes. He also holds the post of the president of Bezawada Fine Arts Academy and is the zone chairman of Lion’s Club.
