The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : TTD to rope in cine stars for spread of bhakti cult

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

TTD to rope in cine stars for spread of bhakti cult

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUMALA, APRIL 5. The TTD management is all set to launch an aggressive campaign for the promotion of `Santhana dharma' and `bhakti cult' across the globe.

In a major move today, the TTD Dharma Prachara Parishad in association with distinguished cine artistes and music icons has decided to organise stage shows to spread the fame and glory of the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara by enacting the play, `Srinivasa kalyanam,' in all important towns and cities in the country as well as abroad.

In this connection, the Telugu film actor, Rajendra Prasad, and the popular playback singer, S.P. Balasubramanyam who reached Tirumala on Monday had several rounds of discussions with the TTD authorities.

Divine opportunity

Addressing a battery of media persons, Mr. Balasubramanyam said it was a divine opportunity for him to get involved in the concept conceived with an idea of spreading the message of the Lord. It is a `maha yagnam' which would take at least six dedicated months to stage the first ever live telecast of the play with the active contribution of several other noted artistes of the cine world.

Terming it a new year gift for the people of the State, on the eve of Ugadi he said the intention behind the live telecast of the stage shows of Srinivasa Kalyanam and Srinivasa Vaibhavam was only to promote devotion and preserve traditional culture for posterity.

SP to lend voice

In yet another significant move, the TTD has decided to compose the various `keerthanas' sung by the saint poet Sri Annamacharyulu, in praise of Lord Venkateswara, under the aegis of Mr. Balasubramanyam.

The striking feature of the concept is that Mr. Balasubramanyam will render his voice to the keertanas and compose the songs in his own theatre at his own cost.

The keerthanas shall be composed in a melodious semi classical Carnatic style.

Speaking on the occasion, the TUDA chairman and the TTD board member B. Karunakar Reddy, said both concepts would be developed with the active and voluntary involvement of the big-wigs of the Telugu film industry and that the TTD coffers will not be burdened at all.

Mr. Rajendra Prasad said it was a boon for him to be involved in the mythological and social concept. The TTD special officer, A.V. Dharma Reddy, the board member, Goka Raju Rama Raju, and the TTD Annamacharya project director, Medasani Mohan, also participated.

Later in the evening Balasubramanyam along with his son Charan, daughter Pallavi and sisters -- Sailaja and Vasanta -- rendered Annamayya keertanas at the asthana mandapam.

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