My Tryst with Pondicherry and It's adopted Son Prof. Manoj Das

( With Prof.Manoj Das)

Whole world conspires to fulfill your dream if you have a longing for something without expecting anything in return,I mean, selfish in spirit.Prof.Manoj Das, the renowned Indo-Anglian writer came into my life during the days of graduation.Once I chose a book from our college library was on Sri Aurobindo and it was authored by Manoj Das. That was the very first time seeing his name and which appealed to me in an enigmatic manner.His style of writing had some magic and enthralling capability.

His books were read in later years also,of course with judicious intervals amidst my head-load of works.Among which 'The Tiger at Twilight (novella),The mystery of a missing cap (Stories) and selected fiction (Stories) are important to remember for me as they carried some flashes resembled  to my experiences of childhood. Especially 'Farewell to a Ghost' story is one that haunts right to this moment. It engulfed into subconscious level for its powerful presentation.

And I shouldn't forget Dr.Kulamani Dash, a staunch admirer of Manoj Das who rushed me a book titled 'The Bulldozers'. It was a melange of  diverse colors like sarcasm,comedy and a love story turned into a tragic situation at the end. All these are created by One great writer of our times and a resident of Sri Aurobindo ashram. He conferred with Padmasri,Kalidas Samman and many many  honors.A columnist for many publications like The Hindu,The Indian Express and The Hindustan Times.

Fortunately, I have met such a remarkable author on the 21st of this month at his residence. It was in Dupey road,Pondicherry. All the surrounding streets are having the Exotic French names. After having visited 'Maha Samadhi' of Sri Aurobindo Maharshi, knocked the door of the gentle man. He warmly received me and we have talked almost half an hour,though I was given ten minutes of appointment. He appreciated my book's cover page art when I presented him my latest title 'The Riverside Man & Other short stories'. He got amused on knowing that the art was drawn by a Bureaucrat named Sri Vadrevu China Veerabhadrudu.

I aspired to have clicked some monuments,library,sprawling heritage sites inside but photography was prohibited.Many people were in meditation beside the Maha samadhi of Sri Aurobindo. It became a global destination long back.Many tourists seemed to be from various parts of the world. What a calm,serene,greenish and beautiful place filled with glorious aura..! Apart from it, Pondicherry is creating abuzz as an important educational hub. Environment is clean and the sea breeze let you feel comfort anywhere in the city.

Gandhi Bhavan at Bangalore

Last year, I was in Bangalore for a day or two during my Sri Lanka journey.Before reaching out for my flight, happened to have a stay at the Gandhi bhavan nearby Saravana stores.The premises was very clean and calm with lush greenery.Not only that,interesting things like Naturopathy health outlet,Gandhi literature and other staying accommodation facilities were there.Khadi propagating center was also in the same premises. Statues of different postures of Gandhi ji  added much attraction to the ambiance.Sri Lankan blasts remind me all that old days.Our prayers with the Island country.Here are some pics I wish to share.

   (On a wall,Gandhi ji with other patriots)

(Gandhian and other literature counter)

(Gandhi bhavan)

(  Statues in the premises)

My Berhampur trip...!

It's a long-awaited moment.At last got down at Berhampur of Odisha.The place is known for Telugu literary stalwarts like Gidugu Ramurthy,Tapi Dharma Rao and Uppala Laxmana Rao and many others.It was all about hoary past and what is going on there at present..? I know any sober mind would ask it.Going to unravel it what I felt on the visit.

Still the place is swerving with great guns. there are prominent poets,story writers,theater artists and all kinds of connoisseurs in terms of Telugu diaspora and in fact the town is a best blend of Odiya and Telugu cultures.Well,my presence seemed unexpected by the friends like Vijay Chandra as my bus drove me crazy by being late,almost more than one hour.For the last couple of years,I have been confined to bus journey for some reasons.Enjoying exotic passing landscapes in leisure and listening to common and middle class people have become my new interests.

Landed up at Lanjhi palli bypass road.An auto served me up to Railway station and where I have boarded in a hotel.Both Auto charge and Hotel charge were quite reasonable.After having a shower,came out for heading towards Prakasam hall.And that's the place where our legendary Telugu literary organisation VIKASAM was conducting a memorial lecture on Uppala Laxmana Rao garu,the great novelist and exemplary translator.(12th of August denotes 120th birth celebrations of Uppala garu)Vijay Chandra garu gave me clear cut instructions to reach the venue and which helped me a lot and avoided sweating out for my destination.

As I entered the Andhra bhashaabhivardini samajam's meeting chamber, founded that interaction session was on with Ms.KS Malleeswari garu,Awardee of TANA novel competition.And she was to deliver the key note address in the evening.Vijay Chandra garu waved me to be seated and Mandapaka Kameswara Rao Raju garu with his disarming smile welcomed me and it was the first time seeing him.Of course familiar on FB.

People who attended the meeting have also asked her several questions,related to past and present scenarios of Telugu literature.It was a great tradition eliciting thought provoking ideas of intellectuals to ponder over.Ummadisetti Ramesh garu,Setupati Adinarayana garu and others raised interesting questions.I was de-stressed of my journey.After the session,Vijay Chandra garu asked me whether I would come to his residence for boarding.I am always grateful to his kind heart.For his hospitality,right from Rayagada days to hosting a delicious dinner at his home.

Sethupati Adinarayana garu drove me to the place where I stayed.He spoke elaborately on his itinerary days of Russia.Many ground breaking issues surfaced in his talk.All this has taken place in the evening session.What I astonished about key note address was the chief guest had hardly spoken anything about the contribution of Uppala Laxmana Rao garu.She should better have touched the spectrum of translation strategies adopted by Rao garu since it was his forte.I know,she was competent enough.

New friendships made.And streets of Berhampur were walked out.Everything fresh and bright.Good bye Berhampur.

Fish at Brindavan Gardens

That was past evening.At Brindavan gardens of Mysore.Guess what we were doing there,hanging out with fellow people and drizzling started all of a sudden.People scattered to random places.After a while,Clouds settled alright with making sky clear.Clicking photos assumed by visitors.Parking place seemed aplenty outside with out coming and in going  vehicles.There were lot of street vendors selling different goods and junk food too.

What attracted me is heaps of the boiled fish in a lane.Plates were full with mouth watering items.On order,the sellers have been serving with another round of  boiling in the oil.The fish were dressed with Chilly powder,salt,turmeric powder etc.,Price is also reasonable at Rs.20.Non vegetarians thronged the outlets to relish the fish.Have had the pic to showcase in my blog.Hope you enjoy it.

At National Translation Mission..!

True.It could be a sin, if I don't write about my days spent at  National Translation mission,Mysore.I have already translated "The God Father" of Mario Puzo into Telugu and which has its second edition in the market after having exhausted first print.That means or sounds something  meaty with my translation.Practically.Hope so..!But why you conceived the  journey all the way,you may question me..yes...there were excuses enough for it.

(At valedictory meeting  click done by Sankar Shaw)

I always want to meet new people and places with its own  offerings.The more I travel,the more I fall in love with India.Already roamed quiet a bit.Stunned with its diversity for every fifty miles and there was a unique unity if you go north or south.Outwardly , the people who  have forced knowledge through various medias  could  differ  on various matters such as religion,caste,creed and so on.But the common man in every state is alike.Am sure if you can't live in India,you can't live anywhere on the earth.

Coming  to our topic,translation is my passion.In fact,it's a  great service.Having something  unknown to  your lap means  no short of service.He took all the pains of understanding two languages and get ready  for you.That's not  an easy job.I hoped to meet  different  aspirants from  different  states.That was fulfilled.East,west,north and south from all directions of our country,I was fortunate to meet promising young translators.

(Having a tea at the dining room)

A new start had been seen on this occasion.Through giving and taking of Indian languages only the spirit of   Integration is possible.Yes,not only from  English,Indian languages should be exchanged in translation.That's what exhorted by Prof.Panchanan Mohanthy in his valedictory meeting.I should also tell about the erudite scholars who taught  us pros and cons of the subject.All were well experienced and in tact with the relevant  topic.Leave some people like Aparna Das  (?) of HCU who  seemed  having gone overboard with her  own approach.

(Receiving a certificate)

I also met some gems like Naveena Amaran who  happened to be the review editor of two English journals and Manojit Das of  computer geek  and Atul Chaturvedi,Shivanath Sarma,G.T.Naidu,Amal raj,Alankeswari,Anju,Kaif,Mazhar,pavan and many young people.Stuti barukia and Bhai jan from North east.And what to say about V.R.Sarma and Anna Mary who almost became close friends.

Maybe, we shall not meet together..But the moments we left  there still in  the air.Last but  not the least,I have bought a book from the press located in the campus is titled "Zeme folktales".Am reading it now.At last,north east tales that I was searching for ,ended up here.Tariq Khan sir and Anwar sir,well  done your jobs.Adieu  Mysore.

Way to Elysian fields

The charm remains as old as it had been found with Ooty  with its lush green ambiance  and sober climate.Haunting shades take people with the same ecstasy and never let  loosen the noose on visitors.We already have seen Ooty umpteen times in Bollywood to Kollywood movies.But the things you do and see there are not less than such  fabulous works.Cool weather at that altitude never fail to intrigue us to rejuvenate our spirits.The boat in the water leaves stirring bubbles on the surface when it turned opposite.The hill station  has many things to offer.

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At R.K.Narayan's House

R.K.Narayan (1906-2001) a quite familiar name as a creator of  Malgudi,the fictitious town where number of his characters were living in flesh and blood to enchant the reader.It was my long lasting wish to see and talk to that writer.Unfortunately it was too late to meet him in person but visited his house located at Mysore where once he lived.These were some clicks from there to encompass those moments here .

The building was said to be demolished by a realtor but on the requests of people of Mysore which was bought up by Local Muncipal Corporation and made as a museum in the memory of that great old man of  Malgudi.It was of two stories and neatly constructed with every object he used in his last days.

Try to see this in the location of Yadavagiri of Mysore,nearby radio station.Abundant greenery was there all around the place.His novels,collected books,furniture,citations and his personal photos all were set in a beautiful manner.Swami and his friends,The Bachelor of Arts,The English Teacher,The Guide,The Dark Room,Mr.Sampath,Waiting for Mahatma,A tiger for Malgudi and other ones he penned were to be etching in the minds of readers. 

Is it not a perfect example of  honoring a writer  in a befitting way...?

This was his study room with collection of books .

Dresses he used 

Who forgets the serial of Malgudi stories..

With Nehru

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A Heaven for Aficionados

With Paravastu Lokeswar garu,a legendary travel writer in the book fair

I was there at the 27th Vijayawada Book Festival a couple of days back and will endeavor my best inditing a few lines about my stupendous experience.The event commenced on 1st of this month and to be lasted for a fortnight.Interestingly  there was no ingress fee for this immensely colossal mela of books.International level publishers such as Harper Collins,Oxford,Jaico etc participated with their stalls.Many other national level book sellers seemed to be there apart from Giant Telugu publishers like Visalandhra,Navachetana,Emesco etc.,Ramakrishna Mission book stall too was there with the attendance of many youth readers.

Book donation box and a Sadhu like person

Altogether 230 stalls were established from all corners of the country.Novels,story books,autobiographies,General erudition and info-packed books and what not every genre of publications was being exhibited for exuberant readers.English,Telugu and a few Hindi book stalls predominantly were visually perceived to accommodate the needy people,Apart from all these,literary activities were another magnetization.Writers' interaction,book releases and storytelling for children all these integrated pep to the perpetual book fair.

A Glimpse of the book fair

The Week,Deccan Chronicle and some other magazines established their outlets to promote their circulation.Second hand books were additionally available with nominal prices.But English fiction sellers do not consider a discount ,nevertheless, lots of classics of past and  present times draw attention of bibliophiles.It's a great designation of hope being visually perceived immensely colossal number of youths turn up to this grand book fair.At last,pulled it off with a note of ecstasy by having a selfie with Paravastu Lokeswar garu,the peregrinate inditer who opened his own stall to sell out his books.

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Accolades

That was the day to be remembered receiving applause from Sri Mandali Buddha Prasad garu, Deputy Speaker of A.P.State Assembly when I had presented him my translation work of The God Father.He is well known to be a man of principles in connection with Culture and language apart from his stature as a politician.There were many writers and others attended there in the meeting hall.In fact, I have not planned for a photograph on the spot but all of a sudden he initiated the move for it and perhaps which could have laid deep down in me too.Thanks to the Gentleman.By the way,Glad to reveal that the first print of the book has been exhausted and which brought me unforeseen recognition.All I trust in God for whatever comes my way.

A scintillating Performance By Anuradha Panigrahi

First week of this month was so busy  for me assuming my everlasting passion wondering this time in the state of Odisha.The excuse for this stint was all about attending a literary meet at Rayagada,that's right,to meet an array of people of letters would make us feel at home.In my last post,described the do in brief.It was a perfect blend of Telugus and Odias,in recipes and other activities.As I have been jaded out for the last few days with the daily routine,this one came as a breeze over a tedious evening.The writers meet on the day had a recital  by a local singer Anuradha Panigrahi,performed Telugu songs in a great way and was received gluttonously since the way her rendition was much talked about.Hope you would enjoy the lilting number presented here for you all.

Rayagada photos for you

Rayagada, a fascinating small town of Odisha state.I recently was there at a meeting conducted by Rayagada writers,by which had an opportunity to walk about in a few streets.Let  it be fair or not,roaming makes one known so many things,a real raw spirit of the place,is n't it..?Here Am presenting you some of Rayagada pics taken while I was through it..! I could not make out having a click of Majhi Gouri Maa temple though  it is a renowned temple here,but have a chance to glance over from the bus.J.K.Paper Mills is the famous hallmark of Rayagada.

(This is the station road where all colorful garlands and other decorative pieces were seen)

(A Spectacular scenic beauty while entering Rayagada)

The podium having the statue of aboriginal tribes at the office of ITDA, Rayagada,nearby bus stand.

(Rayagada town bus station,as I have taken the bus journey from Visakhapatnam )

A Lush green ambiance through the window of our bus while returning.Alittle bit Foggy ..! Hope you enjoy the day..!

(Palm groves along the way..White shrubs were different, of course)

(An interior street in the town)

(Station Road in daily routine)

Submitted to Our World Tuesday

Come right in to the place where your eyes feel cosy

In the last post we have talked about a place named Dummugudem, a small village by now with the fateful consequences, though once had been a grandiose one.Never lost its sheen in terms of natural beauty with the lush greenery engulfed by flows of river Godavari.At the entrance of the place,one could feel an ease by seeing wonderful scenic attraction.Mollifying the unrest within us along the sight we follow.All it made me to have a series of clicks along with a video,hope you all love it.

Kudos to the place of condescending smile

A building of yesteryear's glory

I should say kudos to a companion with whom chanced to be at Dummugudem again.The excuse this time is conducting the Hindi exam behalf of Dakshin Bharat Hindi prachara Sabha.I am not a taker of the exam, nor a conductor, but an ardent admirer of that little village,almost a nondescript entity by now.At the same time the past of this place is hoary and was busy with great activity.Its very look tells us what it was once.The place was a settlement of British employees before Independence.Some years back,I had written an elaborate  blog post on the burial stones of the deceased ones of the people who served as school teachers,administrators and navigation employees.Captain Glosford survey cited this locality widely.

Godavari flows under the fluffy clouds

It is a long story how the place had become a part of the  Britishers,yet worth mentioning here.Sir Arthur Cotton asked the Nijams to provide the Bhadrachalam and Nugur taluks  to facilitate the construction of Dhowlaiswaram project on the river Godavari,so it was handed over by the Nijams in the year of 1860.These two taluks transferred from central province to Madras Province in 1874.After independence,the entire place had gone into the East Godavari district and in 1959 adjoined to Khammam district for the convenience of administration.Right now,It's going to be the part of Kothagudem district shortly.

A Scenic beauty at the entrance of  Dummugudem

Well, let's get down to the present,this place is almost 30 k.m. away from the temple town and you will touch the outer road of it when you travel to Parnasala.With the havoc created by the 1986 floods,most of the villagers migrated to roadside village Lakshminagaram and important offices too.Though it is called as Dummugudem mandalam,the actual working hub is the latter.

Making a boat

The age old constructions remind us the past and the timber used in the houses,gables,spacious ventilation borne windows all these have us somewhere.Apart from huge and small houses at the village,there were double storied buildings in the work shop,one was studded with glass heavily,so which was called by glass building.In this visit of mine,came to know that most of the constructions vanished to debris.Some looked dilapidated.The first school here established more than 100 years back.And still running under the management of Church of South India.Thus the remote area greatly benefitted in view of education.

A Lake with flowers

Spectacular, the scene of overview of the village with nonstopping cool breeze,lush green trees and the Godavari flows on the other side.Infinite serenity.We have met some people on the banks of the river who were indulged in making a boat ,quite interesting.Who said there was no beauty in a sleepy and quiet place...!All of a sudden,there was a rattle in the shrubs over there,some plant with a bunch of flowers was moving for the breeze,those were never seen and my queries about them went futile.

Flowers unknown

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Taj Mahal through my lens

The real trouble with massive construction of Taj Mahal is with its gorgeous grandeur that could be seen so grand from any angle you choose to behold.I have taken it from the right corner after getting entered it to see the mausoleum , thought of one thing in common when it comes to the structures of the Mughals.They did big whatever they had taken up.Even the fort of Fatehpur Sikri and likes of it support the conclusion,central Asian  architecture happily blended with indigenous style of construction.

Hope it got the natural composure in its spirit. Everybody looked nonchalant towards worldly things in the lap of Taj Mahal.That was almost late evening and it seemed somewhat rosy though ,which was said of white basically.By the way,it was in front of  the tombs of Shajahan and Mumtaz.One tomb seemed big in size ,there could be some substantial reason behind it.

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A Trail of bygone eras

Can you identify the structure of the corridor in this picture? If you are a travel freak , you might have recalled it in your deep down ,but not sure about the guessed one..!o.Kay,spilled the beans.We would see the structure of columns along the corridor when we were entering the premises  of Taj Mahal.It is exactly by the right side after we get the main gate nearby the ticket counter.

There was some restoration work in progress during my visit to Agra.Drywall was being skimmed ,that's what we can say through the picture.I don't know about post-work position,but clicked then by impulse and thereby being presented here this way.Hope it certainly make you aware of a nondescript monument nearing the colossal wonder of the world,Taj Mahal,the ivory white marble mausoleum.


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Gorgeous Bogatha Waterfalls

That was the place where the resemblance of  heavenly waterfalls gushing over the rocks with the lilting sound to bewitch the onlookers.The foamy floating seems to unleash to enchant the nature with its own fill.This fascinating phenomenon called Bogatha Waterfalls,which is just 120 k.m. away From Bhadrachalam.And the village named Cheekupalli, Wazeed Mandal,Khammam district.With the advent of the monsoon , eye feasting waterfalls came to its best look to entice the visitors as usual.From almost every corner of the district and of course across from other states to keep thronging here and its the best bet for the happy vacation.But be careful when you are around the water since unexpected torrents proved  fatal several times.

Are you fed up with  age old tourist places..? Try it next.It will fix you the best profound moments in your life.Hear the music of the waterfalls while sitting back to see the ethereal  romantic charm of both rocks and waters.The exotic location situated in the midst of lush greenery in addition.You can get the rewarding experience during the months of July to September.An exclusive video also presented here.

Photo and Video inputs : Mr.Vyas

On that particular day at Motigadda

Let me take an opportunity to tell you about  a shrine that located amidst river Godavari and which will get busier and swarmed with scores of devotees on the eve of Mahasivaratri.Remaining all other days in the year looked desolate with hardly any people to visit.Exactly it appears like an island amidst flowing Godavari.We may see here sandy terrain and some oasis like water stock.In the scorching summer the scene looks so,but as July and August entered,the story would be quite different.Godavari displays its full torrential capacities with no sand to be seen on either side the banks.The floods test the peoples' patience as they have to be plodded for safer places.

The shrine above is called Motigadda Veeranna temple.It is just 3 k.m. away from Bhadrachalam and one has to walk nearly 1 k.m. in the sand to reach the temple.The presiding deity is Veerabhadra Swamy with the consort of Kaalika Mata.The temple had been built in the time of Kakatiya dynasty.The colonnade of inner structure gave evidence for that but mostly now it got renovated .Even at the time of dreadful floods taken place in 1983, the island bound temple never submerged and no doubt you can not go there in rainy season.

After many years of abstinence happened to go there on the day of Mahasivaratri.Indeed that particular day equaled to rest of the all days in the year.Because large number of devotees throng  there to offer obeisance as which is the most holiest day .Even night too reverberated with the chants of devotees and the whole night is observed as sleepless night ,with starry sky and cool breeze the souls soaked in eternal peace.But after that day,the story is as usual and the temple remain so calm with hardly any people attend there.

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