The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Padma awards: story of dejection

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Thursday, Jan 17, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Padma awards: story of dejection

M.L.Melly Maitreyi

Bapu, Mullapudi Venkataramana and P.Susheela are yet to get the award

HYDERABAD: This is the time of the year when the eminence in a field is recognised and rewarded with the prestigious Padma awards.

But year after year it is disappointing to see the names of veterans who dedicated their lives to various fields not figuring in the list of Padma awardees, says V.Hanumantha Rao, story anthologist, popular by the name ‘Mazumdar’.

The Padma awards, announced on the occasion of Republic Day, require meticulous consideration of the State Government in selecting not only eminent personalities but also following it up with the Centre to ensure that none of the deserving are left out.

For instance, Bapu who made a mark in the hearts of Telugus as an artist, cartoonist, illustrator and film director is yet to be honoured with a ‘Padma’ award. So is the case of Mullapudi Venkataramana, humorist, journalist, critic, lyricist, story writer, script writer, admired for his simple and lucid Telugu, Mr.Rao says.

Recipient of several awards, honorary doctorates from universities, life time achievement award from the Indian Institute of Cartoonists, Bapu is known for his inimitable depiction of Telugu culture and ethos. His ‘Sita Kalyanam’ garnered laurels even in the London and Chicago film festivals. Playback singer ‘Gana Kokila’ P. Susheela who enthralled music lovers across generations by rendering thousands of songs in several languages, first playback singer in Telugu films R. Balasaraswathi and writer, novelist, columnist and Sahitya Academy award winner Malathi Chandur are others who should have been honoured with ‘Padma’ awards long ago, he points out. It is time the State Government takes an active interest and pursues with the Centre steps to ensure that eminent personalities are recognised for the contribution to their chosen field. “It is better late than never,” Mr. Rao hopes.

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