‘Revival of traditional art forms need of the hour’

Singer Balasubrahmanyam delivers Ramanaiah Raja Memorial Oration

Singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam releasing a commemorative volume on Sri Raja Lakshmi Foundation Founder Trustee P.V. Ramanaiah Raja in Visakhapatnam.

Expressing concern over ‘the era of disruptions’, noted singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam has said that it’s time credible measures were taken to revive our traditional art forms and inculcate the cultural values in the youth so that harmony is restored .

Delivering the Ramanaiah Raja Memorial Oration here, Mr. Balasubrahmanyam said elders, particularly those endowed with wealth and other resources, must strive hard to promote art froms like late P.V. Ramanaiah Raja, founder-managing trustee of Raja Lakshmi Foundation.

Speaking for an hour on the marginalisation of basic human values, he blamed it on the influence of modern technology and race for power and money. The noted singer struck a chord with the audience when he narrated with modesty the way he had been singing for 52 years in films and on stage, despite being ‘a novice in the rich field of arts and letters.’

He paid glowing tributes to Ramanaiah Raja who had migrated from Vizianagaram to Madras in 1963 as a small businessman only to rise to prominence in public life as a philanthropist.

Former Chairman of AP State Tourism Development Corporation C. Anjaneya Reddy lamented the neglect of unique art forms such as Harikatha and Burrakatha, saying that they had a great impact on the young minds.

Pushed to oblivion

He pointed out how Bharatha Natyam, a gift of Andhras, had been disowned and Telugu language’s pristine glory lost.

Former Chief Secretary Ajeya Kallam, Principal Chief Secretary L.V. Subrahmanyam, prof. Raghavendran and Kandukuri Basava Raju were among those who spoke on the occasion, lauding the Raja Lakshmi Foundation’s service to Telugu culture for three decades.