Saturday, January 30, 2010

Alor Setar /Kangar Branch Telugu Ass Malaysia

Venkates Rao(6 years old), Hari Padma(3 years old), Ramana(5 years old), Lakshmi(7 years old), Santini(7 years old) and her sister(4 years old then) from the Ugadi Programme/BGM held on 2/5/1992 at Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.
Telugu Association of Malaysia - Alor Setar/ Kangar branch held its first biennial meeting cum Ugadi celebrations on 2/5/1992. The formation of the branch was a like dream came true. The branch was formed on 13/7/1991. The officials who attended from TAM were Sri Mande Laxmana, General Secretary, Sri D V Sree Ramulu, Hon General Treasurer and Y Krishanamurthy,Vice President.
The office bearer were then, Sri P Rajoonaidu PJK, PPN, Dr. A Buloaravu, Dato' Dr R Ragupathy Naidu, E.R Ramachandran PJK, P Subbrau PJK, Smt N Saraswathy, Kumari S Thilalagvathi(Shanti),A. Simanchalam, R Janarthana Naidu, T V Sathyanarayana, R Apparau, P Ragubathi Naidu, Doddy V Apparaj, V Jayaram Naidu, C Musalayah, A J Surinnarayana, R Renunathanan Naidu, member:S Aparow, Yanki Naidu, Rajaram, Anushiah Devi, N S Maniam, Guna, Dr. Dannawathy, N Kadalolu Dalliah, Gopal Naidu, Narayana,, Narasimuloo,. P Paidiah, Semanjalam,A Sirinivasan, N V Subramaniam Naidu, Dr Kumari under the of chairmanship Enkatesulu Juval(1991- 1996). Afterwhich the next chairman was P Subbrau PJK who when retired returned to Sungai Petani. And Sri E R Ramachandran PJK was elected as the new chairman.
Besides, Ugadi celebrations, we conducted Telugu classes, direct scholarship programme, dinners for newly married members,bhajans,motivation classes (by Sri Paul Naidu)Fancy/Saree show (conducted by Kamdar Alor Setar), Medical camp, Vijaya kumar Ghatasala show and not forgetten outstanding Telugu poems by Alluri Simanchalam and Kumari Bhartha Subramaniam. We also participated National Cultural Show at Kedah Darul Aman Stadium.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Telugu words on the Bill Board in Malaysia


It is quite common to see shop/clinics business sign boards with Telugu words around Teluk Intan/Sabak Bernam/Rawang or on Telugu Associations buildings. But I believe it is 1 and only the 1 Bill Board with Telugu words too that I noticed along North and South Highway.
If one travelling from Tapah towards Bidor at about KM 336 you can notice the above. But how many of us are doing the same at our business centres?

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Sankranti Subakanchulu

May this year 2010, & Sankranti bring happiness & United Telugus around the world with the blessings of our Telugu God (Present in the Lands of Telugus) Lord Venkateswara as 1 Telugu State






On this day Sankranti, is celebrated by boiling rice with fresh milk and jaggery in new pots, which are topped with brown sugar, cashew nuts and raisins early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel. The new boiled rice is offered to the sun god, a gesture which symbolises thanks to the sun and nature for providing prosperity. It is later served to the people present at my shop for the ceremony.


Followed by praying to Lord Venkateswara by offering them sweets and specially selected mixed vegetables and vegetarian food.

The Telugus also worship and remembrance of departed ancestors by offerings clothes and their favorite vegetarian food to them (their photos or conduct prayers at sea sides). Telugu sweets such as Ariselu, Boorelu, Gaarelu, Bobbatlu, Pallu java and Sinipakulu also prepared.
Travel is considered to be inappropriate, as these days are dedicated for re-union of the families. There is belief that ancestors may visit us on this day.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Sankranti Muggulu


‘Muggulu’ competition as part of Sankranti festivities in Kurnool on Sunday

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Sankranti Telugu Style 13-16/1/2010

Sankranti/ Makara Sankranti/ Pongal Telugu style 13-16/1/2010

Sankranti is a solar event. It is the biggest festival of Indians. Three or four day’s continuous holidays by state government in India. So while dates of all Hindu festivals keep changing as per the Gregorian calendar, the date of Sankranti remains constant, 14 January. Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu calendar month of Magha. Sankranti is celebrated wherever Indians are with some regional variations.
In India itself, it is known by different names and celebrated with different customs in different parts of the country as follows Makara Sankranti or Sankranti - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Manipur, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh/Telugus Karnataka and Goa ,Uttarayan- Gujarat and Rajasthan, Lohri - Himachal Pradesh, Punjab ,Pongal - Tamilnadu, Makara Vilakku Festival - Sabarimala Temple.In other countries too the day is celebrated under different names and in different ways:
In Nepal, Tharu people – Maghi,Other people - Maghe Sankranti or Maghe Sakrati,In Thailand - Songkran,In Laos - Pi Ma Lao; In Myanmar - Thingyan
Sankranti is also to honour, worship and to pay respect to the word mother, Saraswati Maa (Goddess of Knowledge). At the start of this significant event, there is also worship for the departed ancestors. The period is also considered an ideal time for aspirants to satisfy "the goals of life". Sankranti has deep spiritual significance and is rooted in an unshakable divine history and identifies a period of enlightenment, peace, prosperity and happiness followed by a period of darkness, ignorance and viciousness with immense sorrow. The worship of Saraswati is for the same reason that they celebrate Vasanta Panchami that represents the first day of spring and falls in.The worship and remembrance of departed/deceased ancestors is done during this Sankranti and is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus.
Telugus style
It is a four day festival for Telugus
• Day 1 - Bhogi Panduga (Bhogi)-
• Day 2 - Pedda Panduga,(Sankranti)
• Day 3 - Kanuma Panduga (Kanuma)
• Day 4 - Dumulu Panduga (Mukkanuma)

The first day of festival is Bhogi. At dawn people light up a bonfire with several old articles/ coconut dry leaves/ bushes.A day before Sakranthri is known as Boghi. And on Boghi day, Telugus will usually apply a mixture of tumeric powder, green bean paste and sesame oil on our bodies to symbolically remove impurities before gathering with other family members around a bonfire or campfire. These are the regi pallu with petals of flower and coins of money, will be put on the heads of kids(generally younger than 3 years)(like talambralu) to get rid of Dishti(drushti). After which,whole house would be washed/ painted decorated with mugullu. All these events represent the change from old to new.


The second day is Sankranti, it is celebrated by boiling rice with fresh milk and jaggery in new pots, which are topped with brown sugar, cashew nuts and raisins early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel. The new boiled rice is offered to the sun god, a gesture which symbolises thanks to the sun and nature for providing prosperity. It is later served to the people present in the house for the ceremony Followed by praying to their favorite God by offering them sweets and specially selected mixed vegetables and vegetarian food. The Telugus also worship and remembrance of departed ancestors by offerings clothes and their favorite vegetarian food to them (their photos). While most Hindus offer prayers to deceased family members on Deepavali, but the Telugus does it during on this day of Sakranti festival. Telugu sweets such as Ariselu, Boorelu, Gaarelu, Bobbatlu, Pallu java, Sinipakulu are prepared during this important festival. Travel is considered to be inappropriate, as these days are dedicated for re-union of the families. There is belief that ancestors may visit them on this day. Bhajans also organised for them.

The third day Kanuma Panduga (Kanuma) is for offering thanks to cattle, as they help farmer in different ways for agriculture. On this day the cattle are washed or bathed and decorated with paint, flowers and bells. They are fed red sweet rice and sugar cane. People do not eat any non-vegetarian during the first three days of the festival and eat it only on the day of Mukkanuma(Dumulu Panduga).
Modern day’s cattle are vehicles such as cars, Lorries, motorcycles or bicycles are today’s aid to mankind. And on this day what we practice is to wash cars, lorries, motor cycles, children bicycles and conduct thanking prayers for them as for aid in daily life.
Sankranti usually represents all the four days together. On the fourth day or final day people visit their relatives, friends to enjoy the festive season. It is celebrated in almost every village with adventurous games in South India and like in Malaysia in every estates and villages or even in all the Telugu homes.
Referance: Internet

Monday, January 4, 2010

Pending Telugu Issues to be addressed - 2010

Telugu language is not offered in PMR or SPM examinations?

To date, there are about 1050 students who are following POL Telugu classes at some of the government schools such as at Bagan Datoh, Sungai Sumun,Hutan Melintang,Teluk Intan, Klang, Shah Alam, Sunway, Puchong, Batu Caves, Rawang Sitiawan, Bahau, Kulim and Sungai Petani which totals to about 35 classes. But what is saddened and disappointed is, ever since 1993 Telugu language is not being offered any more as an optional subject in PMR and SPM examinations.

No Telugu channel for malaysian Telugus?

The private pay channel “ASTRO” in our country has not been considerate to air enough programmes for the Telugu community. The least they could have done is to at least allocate five to eight hours Telugu programmes every day and upgrade the Telugu serials and have if they had valued us, the Telugu community, as their customers too. or we being the minority group and are not deemed to be heard.
Then, we seek approval for satellite dishes to be allowed as there are lot satellite dishes around the country especially in the Perak,Kedah,Perlis,Johor and East Malaysia. And we should not be sidelined in the field of mother -tongue entertainment.

Telugu Senator ?

TAM has asked the government to consider appointing a senator from their community to highlight in Parliament the problems being faced by our community.
TAM added that the community subscribes were disappointed with the time allocated for them over ASTRO.

Telugu programmes over RTM?

Dr Achaiah kumar Rao further said that they would submit a memorandum to Information Communication and Culture Minister urging for additional time for the Telugu community on Minnal FM, the Tamil-based radio programme on RTM.

Is TAM conducting pre-census exercise?

The population census of Malaysia is being carried out once in every ten years. The last census was carried out from 5/7/2000 till 20/7/2000. Next population census exercise would be carried out possible during the month of June/July 2010 throughout the country. Past experience has shown that as Telugus and Tamils are look alike there are many occasions we are recorded as Tamils. As we, Telugus living in Malaysia must explain to the census officers to ensure that Telugus are recorded as Telugus in the Census Form: Telugu Kod 65. If every Telugu irrespective of whether a member or not member of Telugu Association of Malaysia must play his or her role firmly during the census exercise being done. That will prove to the Government the correct Telugu population and strength of the Telugus in this country.
If fact this is very important and pass this message on to all Telugus you meet so that they will be well aware of their rights by the time the Census begins? or TAM conducting pre census exercise?

Saturday, January 2, 2010

NEW YEAR GREETINGS -2010

Dear all

WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY – 2010
From
ENKATESULU JUVAL & FAMILY
MALAYSIA