The first of its kind ‘padayatra’ to promote Telugu language and literature was formally inaugurated at Polamuru village with Anaparthi MLA N. Ramakrishna Reddy handing over the flag to the writers and poets from East Godavari district.
It was decided to install the statue of legendary short-story writer Sripada Subrahmanya Sastry at his native village Polamuru as a token of paying respects to the Telugu literature in general and short-story in particular.
Sri Buddhavarapu Charitable Trust has come forward to arrange the statue, while Mr. Reddy announces his support to the installation.
Congratulating the over 50 writers and poets who gathered from the two Telugu States to participate in the three-day yatra from Polamuru to Chandrampalem, the birthplace of renowned poet Devulapalli Krishna Sastry, covering a distance of 45 km, Mr. Reddy said that such walkathons were the need of the hour.
“Many people are speaking about language and literature nowadays. But, very few people are trying to take the first steps. I congratulate each and every one of the team taking part in the walk,” he said.
Writer and literary critic Vadrevu Veeralakshmi Devi, who chalked out the ‘padayatra’ programme, said that the idea was to promote Telugu language and literature among the younger generation. “We are going to interact with people en route, with special focus on involving students in our programme. The three-day programme will for sure make at least some people to think about the importance of promoting Telugu,” she said.
Mr. Buddhavarapu Kumar of the charitable trust announced that in addition to the award being given to the short-story writers in memory of the late Sripada, the trust would also present awards to the poets to commemorate the late Krishnasastry. “We are very happy to be a part of this literary event,” he said.
The walk would begin at Polamuru on Saturday morning and culminate at Chandrampalem village on Monday evening.
Durbha Srirama Muthy presided over the meeting.
