The birthday celebrations of Rajya Sabha member T. Subbarami Reddy had something for all those who attended the programme, organised by the T. Subbarami Reddy Lalithakala Parishat here on Saturday.
While those with a spiritual bent of mind had an occasion to see religious leaders professing different faiths, the music buffs were overjoyed to see some of the top playback singers such as P. Susheela, K.J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam, L.R. Eswari, S. Janaki and P.B. Srinivas; and the crowd saw actors from yesteryear heroine Vanisri to current hero Ramcharan Tej.
Ms. Susheela was conferred the ‘Viswavikhyata Sangeetha Kala Saraswathi' award to mark her diamond jubilee in film music.
The speakers acknowledged that the credit for bringing so many stars from different walks of life onto a single platform goes to Mr. Reddy. They all wished him a happy birthday and hoped that he would continue to serve all sections of the people in the same way.
Swami Swaroopanandendra Saraswathi of Sarada Peetham; Moulana Mohammed Abdur Rehman Khan Quadri of Darur Uloom Sihaqia Nooriya, Madina; Rev. Dr. E.D. Yesuratnam, the pastor of Millennium Methodist Church; and Bhai Jagdeep Singhji, Head Granthi of Gurdwara Sadh Sangat invoked the blessings of the Lord on Mr. Reddy.
Mr. Reddy described the people of Vizag as his “family.” He said that he would be always there to help anyone at anytime.
“I adopted Vizag 33 years ago and I promise to serve the people of this city till my last breath,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah, Union Minister for Tourism Subodh Kant Sahay, Union Minister of Law and Justice Salman Khursheed, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee Chairman Botcha Satyanarayana, film producer D. Rama Naidu, All-India Congress Committee secretary P. Sudhakar Reddy, Rajya Sabha members V. Hanumantha Rao and Nandi Yellaiah, and MP J.D. Seelam lauded the contributions of Mr. Reddy to art and culture apart from serving the people of the city.