The 46th annual session of the Andhra Pradesh History Congress held at Vishakapatnam

The 46^th annual session of the Andhra Pradesh History Congress held at Vishakapatnam

Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College, Vishakapatnam: Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College was established in the year 1973 by the “Society for Collegiate Education”. It is located in the heart of Visakhapatnam city in a sprawling 10-acre campus. The college was named in honor of Dr Lankapalli Bullayya[1], who was the then Vice Chancellor of Andhra University. The college is affiliated to Andhra University. Today, the Society manages multiple colleges offering 34 programs at the Intermediate, Engineering, UG, and PG levels, catering to nearly 7,000 students. These students are supported by a dedicated team of 300 teaching faculty and 100 non-teaching staff. The college is in the 50^th year of inception. Number of events are being conducted as part of Golden Jubilee Celebration. Thus, the hosting of the 46^th Andhra Pradesh History Congress has been one of such events. Secretary and Correspondent of Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College G. Madhu Kumar, former AU Professor K. Thimma Reddy and M. Srinivasa Reddy, general secretary of AP History Congress, addressing a press conference in Visakhapatnam on Friday, 05-01-2024. K. Thimma Reddy explained in detail about the APHC.

Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College campus entrance

Location of the colleges within the campus – Courtesy Google map

The founder of the college

46^th session held in Vishakapatnam: The delegates from the states of Andhra, Telengana, Tamilnadu, Puducherry and Karnataka reached the venue, as it is in the city and after registration, they were taken to the Hotels, lodges etc., where they had been accommodated. Arrangements were made already for the outstation delegates. 0n 6^th morning, the inaugural session was held in the colorful samiana put up in the campus of the college. After breakfast, the delegates reached the place and seated. Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College hosted the 46^th annual session of the Andhra Pradesh History Congress at the college premises from Saturday 06-01-2024[2]. The two-day session was hosted by the college, as part of its golden jubilee celebrations, said the secretary and correspondent of the college G. Madhu Kumar[3]. RGUKT Chancellor and Dr. LB College president K.C. Reddy was there. C Anjaneya Reddy, Former DGP recalled how the enrolment in History for PG courses has been thinning over a period of time[4]. Speaking at the 46^th Andhra Pradesh History Congress (APHC) annual session at Dr Lankapalli Bullayya College campus here on Saturday, 06-01-2024, he shared that plans are on to establish a Social Sciences Centre in the city[5]. The former DGP expressed concern that reduction in the enrolment of History-based courses is leading to closure of departments[6]. He made an appeal to Andhra University VC in-charge not to close any department in the university as each subject serves its own need[7].

Press briefing about the conference by the organizers

Inaugurated on 06-01-2024, Saturday: Speaking on the occasion, secretary and correspondent of Dr Lankapalli Bullayya College G Madhu Kumar said[8] the event was held as a part of the institution’s golden jubilee celebrations. “The college has been catering to the academic needs of students belonging to BPL families ever since its inception.” Introducing the Andhra Pradesh History Organisation, Prof Vakula Bharanam Ramakrishna, said[9], “The importance of arts has been reducing slowly. Arts play a vital role in passing down culture and tradition to future generations.” Marking the occasion, a souvenir was released by Vice-Chancellor in-charge of Andhra University K Samatha. She briefed about the history and culture of the city. Dignitaries were felicitated on the occasion. As many as 50 delegates, 100 research scholars, and 70 teachers attended the session from across the country. Generally, 200-300 delegates used to attend, but this time, it is surprising only 50 attended the session. Perhaps, the limited and committed delegates could spend more time in the paper reading and discussion sessions. Even otherwise, the APHC gives time for the paper presenters and subsequent question-asking and discussion for the benefit of the researchers.

senior members and VIPs who attended the inaugural function..

Inaugural session

Food arrangement made excellent….traditional style served on banana leaf.

Sectional Presidents for the Session: For the five sections of the proceedings, the following were selected to chair and conduct the academic sessions.

Sl.No	Session	Name and place
1	Ancient Andhra History & Archaeology	Prof. S. Murali Mohan, Dept. of History Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur
2	Medieval Andhra History	Dr. J. Krishna Prasad Babu Dept. of History, Jawahar Bharati College Kavali, P.S. Nellor Dist.
3	Modern Andhra History	Prof. Malli Gandhi,   Dept. of History, Regional Institute of Education, Mysore, Karnataka State
4	Historiography	Prof. Azizuddin Hussain Honorary Prof. in Centre for Urdu Culture Studies, Moulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, Telangana State
5	Local History	Dr. A.L. Rupa Vani, H.O.D., Dept. of History Dr. V.S. Krishna Govt. Degree College Visakhapatnam

Ancient India session

Medieval India session

Modern India session

Historiography session

Local History session

Academic sessions: It is understood that a maximum number of papers were received and 67 papers were presented in Modern History. As 130 papers were reportedly received, 50% amounted to the modern period and the rest covered the other five sections. There were 185 members registered as delegates and 130 papers presented and thus, the academic sessions carried on well. The social, religious, political, economic and other issues were taken up under different topics and papers were presented by the students, researchers and scholars.

Sl.No	Session	Name and place	N.of papers presented
1	Ancient Andhra History & Archaeology	Prof. S. Murali Mohan,	35
2	Medieval Andhra History	Dr. J. Krishna Prasad Babu	20
3	Modern Andhra History	Prof. Malli Gandhi,	65
4	Historiography	Prof. Azizuddin Hussain	15
5	Local History	Dr. A.L. Rupa Vani,	6
		Total	141

The sectional presidents moderated the paper reading sessions. The paper presenters were given enough time to present their papers. There were discussions and questions asked and the issues were explained by the paper reader, sectional heads and participants.

Research and paper presentation: As usual, the papers had been of different varieties and categories, when dealing with the source materials, because, a regular participant for many years could easily find out that certain topics issues and subjects are repeated and presented again and again. The research students who have taken up their topics for M.Phil and Ph.D tried to push their themes through their papers. While the attempts are appreciated, as tey use the occasion for testing ground, but, the themes and topics should have been new and different, instead of repeating and rehashing. Nowadays, as the plagiarism software are used for checking they may get difficulties in clearing and it would consume a lot of time.  Therefore, it is better for the researchers to take new topic and proceed, so that there would not be problem on any account. Mainly field work, interviews, reading primary sources and collecting other materials are very important. The secondary materials cannot be relied upon completely, as they are published for the purpose. Moreover, one cannot rely upon the view of the others also.

A coin exhibition was conducted and different coins were displayed….

Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Memorial Lecture:  Linguistics is the scientific study of language. Linguistics is based on a theoretical as well as a descriptive study of language and is also interlinked with the applied fields of language studies and language learning, which entails the study of specific languages. Before the 20^th century, linguistics evolved in conjunction with literary study and did not exclusively employ scientific methods This year, a special academic session-Mamidipudi Venkalarangaiya Memorial Lecture was delivered by Prof. Garapati Umamaheswara Rao, Director (Rtd.) of the Center for Applied Linguistics and Translation Studies, University of Hyderabad in the evening of the session i.e. on 06-01-2024, on “Linguistics”. As he has been an expert, he explained the nuances of the languages, usage and other concepts.

Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College hosted the 46^th session of APHC in a good manner: The organizers planned the proceedings and could conduct accordingly. The food and ccommodation were also good. About the accommodation, they already asked the delegates to fill up the forms and register online and thus, they could monitor the incoming delegates and their requirements. Of course, the college campus has all infrastructure and other facilities. The 46^th APHC session has been one of the best conferences conducted in recent years, comparing to others.

Note: Though, I could not attend this session, I feel I missed one of the best sessions. I got photos and details about the conference from several friends who attended and with the inputs, I have prepared this blog. I sincerely acknowledge the details received from Dr Govindu Surendra, Mukkaranna, Chalapati Rao and others.

Some photos of “APHC” website have also been included.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

09-01-2024

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[1] Lankapalli Bullayya (1918–1992) was an Indian educator and vice-chancellor of Andhra University, Andhra Pradesh. He was the first Dalit to be appointed vice-chancellor of an Indian university.Bullayya was born in 1918 in Peravali, near Vemuru, Guntur district He had to travel long distances to receive his education. Bullayya received a B.A. degree with honours from Andhra University and served as principal of a BEd college in Kurnool. He later became a District Educational Officer in Kurnool, Krishna and other districts and served in the Education Department as a senior-level officer. After the formation of Andhra State in 1953, Bullayya was appointed Director of Public Instruction. As Director of Higher Education for the government of Andhra Pradesh, he was instrumental in bringing about educational reform.Bullayya later served at the Union Public Service Commission in an advisory capacity on behalf of Telugu-speaking candidates at the UPSC Interview Board. He was chairman of the Andhra Pradesh and all-India units of the Boy Scouts and a director on the Andhra Bank Board. Bullayya’s wife, Samyuktha, was also an educator and former chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Housing Board. His brother’s sons Lankapally Ramesh Babu and Suresh Babu are public servants in Sanjeeva Reddy Nagar, Hyderabad. Dr. Bullayya College at Visakhapatnam was named after him. He founded Dr. V.S. Krishna Government College in remembrance of his predecessor, vice-chancellor Vasireddy Sri Krishna, and was more concerned about that school than the one named after himself. A bust of Bullayya has been installed in the School of Distance Education in Visakhapatnam.

[2] The Hindu, Andhra Pradesh History Congress to be organised in Visakhapatnam from January 6,  January 05, 2024 10:17 pm | Updated 11:58 pm IST – VISAKHAPATNAM.

[3] https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/andhra-pradesh-history-congress-to-be-organised-in-visakhapatnam-from-january-6/article67710982.ece

[4] Hans India, 46th AP History Congress annual session held , Rani Devalla Hans News Service | 7 Jan 2024 7:00 AM IST

[5] https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/46th-ap-history-congress-annual-session-held-849577?infinitescroll=1

[6] The Hindu, 46th annual session of Andhra Pradesh History Congress begins in Visakhapatnam, January 06, 2024 09:20 pm | Updated 11:35 pm IST – Visakhapatnam.

[7] https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/46th-annual-session-of-andhra-pradesh-history-congress-begins-in-visakhapatnam/article67713855.ece

[8] Times of India, Importance of arts subjects highlighted, TNN / Jan 8, 2024, 08:29 IST.

[9] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/importance-of-arts-subjects-highlighted/articleshow/106622025.cms

The Proceedings of the 43rd session of Andhra Pradesh History Congress held at SKVT College Rajamahendravaram – January 5th and 6th 2019 [2]

The Proceedings of the 43^rd session of Andhra Pradesh History Congress held at SKVT College Rajamahendravaram – January 5^th and 6^th 2019 [2]

Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Memorial Lecture[1]: The special academic session – Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Memorial Lecture was delivered by Prof. Salil Mishra, Dept. of History, Ambedkar University, Delhi, scheduled for the evening of the first day of the session i.e. on 05-01-2019.  Of course, his printed presentation “The big ‘dream gone sour?: Seven decades of Indian freedom” was circulated among the delegates. His paper had been very abstract, general and hesitant to express his idea openly, though, it was targeted against specific ideology, ideological group and political party. I was carefully listening to his wordy delivery and I could recollect that what he was reading was there already somewhere in some book.

After coming to Chennai, I researched for it I could find that he was using the expressions “baby,” “bathwater,” etc., in his another paper appeared in a book eight years ago. Yes, they are found in the book edited by Michael Dusche[2]. His emphasis[3], “The leaders of Independent India displayed great faith in these values and hoped that these four key-ideas – Statism, secularism and democracy – would act like effective shields and neutralize all the possible ill-effects inherent in the economic growth and absorb the turbulence created by it,” can be seen in an articled published in Deccan Herald[4]. Thus, he repeated most of the stuff from his own paper already published. His emphasis on “monism[5],” [dialectical materialism] and “pluralism[6]”, statism, secularism, etc., expose his left, communist and Marxist orientation. His newspaper articles have been very explicit, perhaps, they need not be repeated here.

With Prof Ayub Ali and Venkateswara Rao.

Parallel sessions were held at different halls. The session of “Ancient history and archaeology” –

K. S. B. Kesava was chairing the session.

View of the audience…………………………….at the session of “Ancient history and archaeology” –

Another view of the audience…………………………….at the session of “Ancient history and archaeology”

Historiography session was chaired by prof Salil  Misra……

Ironically, there were only few persons and only three papers presented.

Local history session was headed by P. A. Raja Babu.

Local history, view of the audience……

Historians and academicians better concentrate in the subject: Really, it is intriguing as to note that APHC has also been drifting towards ideology. Under the guise of secularization, communalism is promoted; under the bogey of attacking one religious belief system, another religious fundamentalism is vigorously supported. I have been watching the trend since 1980s with the BM-RJM issue rocking IHC and exploded during WAC. World historian forums pointed put as to how the Indian historians were divided based on the BM-RJM issue. In fact, they were dubbed as BM historians and RJM historians respectively. The Supreme Court virtually censured the historians who gave false evidences to the Court in the BM-RJM case. However, they try to suppress through the dominant media. All such documents have been available in public domain and the moment the present generation or the unbiased happens to note and read, they could easily understand their dubious nature. Therefore, it is better for the historians and academicians concentrate in the subject, instead of whipping up passion of others.

Medieval session was chaired by Dr Kanaka Ratnam……

Medieval session…audience……..

Academic proceedings: About 185 delegates had registered for the 43^rd session and the no. of papers presented had been as follows:

Sl.No	Session	Presided by	No. of papers presented
1	Ancient Andhra history and archaeology	K. S. B. Kesava	36
2	Medieval Andhra history	N. Kanaka Ratnam	27
3	Modern Andhra history	Mohammed Silar	46
4	Historiography	Salil Mishra	18
5	Local  history	P. A. Raja Babu.	3
Total papers presented			145

The paper presenters got time to present and had enough discussion. Thus, academically, the session had been satisfactory to all. Of course, the accommodation and food had also been good.

My paper and discussion: I presented my paper, “Rajendra Chola’s Victory pillars erected in Andhradesa and Odra vishaya,” at the Medieval session. Prof Ayub Ali asked, “Were there any Muslim /Mohammedan guilds playing role during the Chola period, as Syed Sahabbuddhin has mentioned about them.”

Ayub Ali was asking a question…….

I responded, “Yes, but, they were identified as Arabs, Persians and even as Chulians i.e, Cholas only in the Chinese documents….After islamization only, the names were also changed to Islam, as happened in Malacca etc. For example “Marakkala Nayagans” i.e, the captains or in-charge of ships were latter known as “Marakkayars” becoming caste of Muslims.”

Replying to Ayub Ali……………..

Replying to Chalaati Rao……..

Then, Chalapati Rao from Pondicherry asked, “Was there any social / caste divisions among the sailors, ship building workers, traders and others?” I replied, “Yes, but they worked together for the purpose.” As he started asking more questions, the session chairman requested to have discussion in person.

Note: The photographs were taken by Dr A. Jammanna and I thank him and use the photos with due acknowledgment to him.

Business session and valedictory function: The treasurer informed that they spent Rs.22,000/- for website. It appears that for getting grants from government, every society / trust may have to get registered with Niti Ayog. Resolutions were passed stressing the importance of history. Evidently, the historians are worried about the closing down of history departments. Ironically, at many places, the departmental staff including head, professor etc., have been more than that of the students. In several universities, the students have been less than 10. In fact, I proposed that the history of science and technology should be included in the history syllabus, so that other students also would get interest, citing the example of De Morgan, who was born in Madurai. However, V. Ramakrishna objecting to it. Anyway, it is all their wish! Though, officially, there was no valedictory function, the APHC 43^rd session closed with happy note and the delegates started moving as they had to catch their buses, trains etc to reach their destinations! All of us can meet again in 2020!

Best paper awards: In APHC, the following awards have been given away to the best papers:

1. Ancient – Prof. Bendapudi Subba Rao
2. Ancient – Prof. B.S.L. Hanumantha Rao
3. Epigraphy – Dr. M. Somasekhara Sarma (Ancient & Medieval)
4. Medieval – Sri Rallabandi Subba Rao
5. Modern – Prof. G. Rudraiah Chowdary
6. Modern – Prof. P. Ramalakshmi.

Accordingly, they were given this year also. Surprisingly, I also got an award for a paper presented at modern session in Narsapur.

The event was covered in the local Telugu papers.

They asked opinion from Prasada Rao and Ramachandra Reddy from Pondicherry and appeared in Shakshi daily.

Enanu got opinion from Dr arvind Kumar, K. V. Ramakrishna Rao and Prof Salil Misra.

Without science and technology, history cannot survive: The historians have been trying to force history on others, whereas, as the awareness has been there among the students of the current generation, they are more interested in getting into job-oriented courses, so that they proceed further in their career and life, instead of spending 3 to 5 years in studying and researching history. Incidentally, the historians, history professors, teachers etc., have been ignoring, neglecting and avoiding the history of science and technology. Therefore, the current students are also not interested in studying political history, as they cannot any job with that. According to prevailing conditions, the job-market has been as follows[7]:

Top employment cities Bengaluru Gurgaon Mumbai Delhi Indore	Sectors That Will Create Jobs IT Financial Technology E-commerce Auto technology Healthcare FMCG and Banking
Top skills Required Aptitude Communication skills Computer skills Sales and marketing	Education qualifications B Com MBA BBA BA B Tech MCA

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

14-01-2019

[1] Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Foundation, 201, Narayan Apartments, Sri Hanumanji Co-operative Housing Society, Maredpalli (West) Secunderabad-500 026.http://aphistorycongress.com/memorial_lectures/

[2] Michael Dusche, Identity Politics in India and Europe, Sage Publications, New Delhi, 2010, pp.256-279. These are cited only for illustrative purposes, as there have been more articles found in internet itself.

[3] Salil Misra, The big ‘dream gone sour?: Seven decades of Indian freedom, pp. 8-10, of the booklet circulated.

[4] india Salil Misra, The colours of freedom independent, Aug 14, 2016, AUG 14 2016, 00:01AM IST UPDATED: AUG 14 2016, 00:23AM IST. https://www.deccanherald.com/content/564297/colours-freedom.html These are cited only for illustrative purposes, as there have been more articles found in internet itself.

[5] Monism, according to Oxford Dictionary of Sociology (2009), is any philosophical theory which states that all being may ultimately be referred to a single category. Historical materialism is often described as monist because of its emphasis on determination by the economic base. The term is also applied more loosely to any causal account that attaches sole importance to a single explanatory factor.

[6] Pluralism is both a technical term in political science, and an evaluative word for a form of government, often used as a defence of what might otherwise be called liberal democracy or representative democracy. Literally, a belief in more than one entity or a tendency to be, hold, or do more than one thing. In the late nineteenth century, pluralism was applied to philosophical theories or systems of thought which recognized more than one ultimate principle, as opposed to those which were ‘monist’. (see Oxford Politics Dictionary 2009).

[7] The Pioneer, The big job gap, Wednesday, 11 July 2018, The report was created by Youth4work.com

https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/avenues/the-big-job-gap.html

The Proceedings of the 43rd session of Andhra Pradesh History Congress held at SKVT College Rajamahendravaram – January 5th and 6th 2019 [1]

The Proceedings of the 43^rd session of Andhra Pradesh History Congress held at SKVT College Rajamahendravaram – January 5^th and 6^th 2019 [1]

The 43rd Annual Session of the Andhra Pradesh History Congress: The 43rd Annual Session of the Andhra Pradesh History Congress[1] was held on 5^th and 6^th January, 2019 (Saturday and Sunday) at Rajamahendravaram [earlier known as Rajamundry] situated on the banks of Godavari. When I got down at Vijayawada, I could see many friends coming from Pondicherry, Ongole etc. Really, I was happy to all our friends again. The delegates from Andhra, Telengana, Tamilnadu and Karnataka started coming on 4^th evening and were taken to Sree Kandukuri Veerasalingam Theistic College [hereinafter mentioned as SKVT college] by vehicle. After registration and payment of delegate fees of Rs.700/-, they were accommodated in different lodges. We were taken to Sona lodge, Main Road. Others were accommodated at ISKCON, the World Teacher Trust, lodges etc.

Before the Sona lodge, Main road, Rajamahendravaram.

Sona lodge, waiting for the vehicle.

on the way…………………………………………………………..

Rajamahendravaram: Rajahmahendravaram Town is the biggest town in East Godavari and it is a Divisional Head Quarters. Howrah Madras railway line passes through the town longitudinally and has two railway Stations namely “GODAVARI” and “RAJAHMUNDRY” Road cum Rail Bridge was constructed on river Godavari linking Kovvur and Rajahmundry is considered to be an engineering feat. It is Asia’s Second largest Road cum Rail Bridge[2]. The Town is connected with all Centers of the State with motorable roads. Rajahmundry is first of East Godavari District to became Corporation. Rajahmundry with population of about 3 Lakhs, lying on the left bank of the river Godavari, located on National Highway, 560 Km. away from Madras and 520 Km. from Hyderabad, is not only an ancient town where rich literary activities flourished, but it is also an important commercial center.

entering the SKVT college, APHC banner can be seen.

Origin of Rajamahendravaram – history: It has close connection with the Cholas. It came into existence even by 918 CE. It has a hoary past and is said to have been constructed by the Eastern Chalukya ruler Rajaraja Narendra in 1022 CE. The town has some traces of fine palaces, fort walls, etc., of the 11^th century CE. Nannaya, the poet laureate, who was called ‘Adi Kavi’ belonged to this place. There are a number of temples here and the Kotilingala temple on the bank of the Godavari is one of the most important temples. The Godavari Pushkarams celebrated once in Twelve years, attracts a large number of pilgrims from all over the country and world. At a distance of seven kilometers south of Rajahmundry, there is the Dowleswaram anicut across the Godavari. The greatness and celebrity of Rajahmundry as the seat of learning and culture and center of religious and political activities, the meeting place of scholars, poets, learned men, dancers and musicians, that commenced in the days of Vijayaditya Ammaraja–II and his half-brother prince Danamava, reached its zenith in the reign of Rajaraja Narendra and continued till the days of the fall of the Reddy dynasty in the middle of the Fifteenth Century, survives to this day though in a lesser degree. Rajahmundry or Rajamahendravaram as it was called in those days as though all these maintained its high reputation and glory as the seat of Andhra learning and culture.

Breakfast at “Smt Kanthuri Rajya Lakshmi Pranghanam”

Smt Kanthuri Rajya Lakshmi Pranghanam……

Breakfast at “Smt Kanthuri Rajya Lakshmi Pranghanam” – idly, vada, pongal………………..

The British named as Rajamundry: The British used Rajahmundry as “Head Quarters” of Godavari District but subsequently the seat of administration was shifted to Kakinada and the District named as East Godavari. This historical town has been subjected to the process of continuous remodeling through the ages. The variety of its present form is the result of forces which dominated during the successive periods of its history. One can find the motives of town builders, from emperors to sub dividers, reflected in the design they have stamped upon the town.

Walking towards Vivekavarthani Seminar Hall……………….

Welcoming all to APHC 43rd session………

Welcoming all to APHC 43rd session………

getting together inside the hall for inaugural function……………………………

 from right to left and then left to right!

Sree Kandukuri Veerasalingam Theistic College[3]: Sri Kandukuri Veerasalingam, the son of this soil, was a great social reformer, writer and visionary who worked relentlessly for the cause of women upliftment. His wife Rajyalakshmi in whose name the college has been established, stood by him through thick and thin, thus enabling him to work for the attainment of his ideals. Veerasalingam donated all his life time earnings and established a trust called the Hithakarini Samaj in 1907. Today a chain of five educational institutions providing education from UG to PG are functioning under the aegis of The Hithakarini Samaj and the Endowment Department[4]. He started “Hitakarinisamaj” to take care and administer all these establishments. He influenced the starting of a girls’ high school in 1874 at Dowleshwaram. In 1881 he personally started a girls’ high school in Innispet, Rajahmundry in 1907. It later came to be known as Hitakarini High School. The principal patron and donor for the construction of the school building, the Maharaja of Pithapuram, rechristened it as Veeresalingam Theistic High School. It grew up to the status of Veeresalingam Theistic Junior College[5] on 15th August 1970.

Yes, we are ready for inauguration! Lamping a lamp with a lamp!

Lamping a lamp with a lamp! Each wick for each VIP!

Lamping a lamp with a lamp! Each wick for each VIP! As usual some were with shoes and chappals, some without honouring or right to wear or not!

Respecting the founders of the SKVT College.

The proceeding volumes of APHC would be upoloaded in the AP Hitory website: On 5^th January, after breakfast at the “Smt Kanthuri Rajya Lakshmi Pranghanam”, the delegates started assembling at “Vivekavarthani Seminar Hall.” The inauguration was started by 10.40 am with the introduction of Prof V. Ramakrishna about the APHC. It was announced that all the proceeding volumes of APHC would be upoloaded in the AP Hitory website[6], so that the researchers would be benefited by using for their research. The sessions were held as follows:

Sl.No	College / University, place	Year
1	Jawahar Bharthi, Kavali	1976
2	V.S.M. College, Ramachandrapuram	1976
3	K.B.N. College, Vijayawada	1978
4	V.R.S. & Y.R.N. College, Chirala	1979
5	Nagarjuna University, Guntur	1980
6	Osmania University, Hyderabad	1982
7	Kakatiya University, Warangal	1983
8	Ideal College of Arts & Science, Kakinada	1984
9	K.V.R. Women’s College, Kurnool	1985
10	Local Colleges Organisation, Guntur	1986
11	S.V.R.M. College, Nagaram	1987
12	S.A.M. Kalasala, Anakapalli	1988
13	Telugu University, Srisailam	1989
14	Kakatiya University, Warangal	1990
15	Sarvodaya College, Nellore	1991
16	Bishop Solomn Jr. College Karim Nagar	1992
17	S.V. University, Tirupati	1993
18	V.S.R. & N.V.R. College, Tenali	1994
19	S.K. University, Anantapur	1995
20	J.K.C. College, Guntur	1996
21	D.L.R. Degree College, G. Mamidada	1997
22	University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad	1998
23	B.G.B.S. Women’s College, Narasapur	1999
24	S.K.R. College for Women, Rajahmundry	2000
25	Osmaniya University, Hyderabad	2001
26	G.B.R Degree College, Anaparti	2002
27	S.V. University, Tirupati	2003
28	Andhra Loyola College, Vijayawada	2004
29	A.P. Residential College, Nagarjuna Sagar	2005
30	Govt. Degree College, Siddipet	2006
31	Govt. Degree College for Men, Kadapa	2007
32	University Arts & Science college, Warangal	2008
33	Govt. Degree College for Men, Kurnool	2009
34	J.K.C College, Guntur	2010
35	Dravidian University, Kuppam	2011
36	C.S.R Sarma College, Ongole	2012
37	Sri Mandali Venkata Krishna Rao College of Education, Avanigadda	2013
38	S.V. University, Tirupati	2014
39	P.S. Telugu University, Srisailam	2015
40	Govt. College for Women, Srikakulam	2016
41	Govt. College (UG & PG), Ananthapuram	2017
42	Sri Y.N. College, Narsapur, West Godavari	2018
43	Sree Kandukuri Veeresalingam Theistic College, Rajahmundry. 533101.	2019

Thus, if all these volumes are available in the website, it would be good for the researchers. In fact, other history congresses should also do that.No VIP came for inauguration, the MLC and revenue officials came went away immeditely, as they had to participate the “Janmabhumi programme.” The 42^nd volume was released containing the presented papers at the Narsapur session. Some books were also released. Prasada Reddy read the report.

APHC Narsapur volume released.

View of the audience…yes, I was there, as I did not take this photograph!

 

Sl.No	Session	Presided by	Paper presented
1	Ancient Andhra history and archaeology	K. S. B. Kesava	Salvage archaeology in Telangana and Andhra pradesh: Some observations
2	Medieval Andhra hidstory	N. Kanaka Ratnam	Castes and the past: Defining the naterial culture of Professional Castes of Medieval Andhra
3	Modern Andhra history	Mohammed Silar
4	Historiography	Salil Mishra	Communalism in Modern India: A Historiographical overview
5	Local  history	P. A. Raja Babu.

As usual, the sectional presidents read their papers without any discussion. As I used to point out, their papers are printed and circulated during the session and also again printed in the proceeding volumes running into many pages and this ritual has been going on in all history congresses.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

14-01-2019

 

 

[1] APHC Permanent office, C/O Jain Museum, Acharya Nagarjuna University,Nagarjuna Nagar – 522501, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. 9966990797; aphcanu@gmail.com, info@aphistorycongress.com

[2] https://eastgodavari.nic.in/tourist-place/rajamahendravaram/

[3] Evidently, in those days, instead of thelogy, theism was planned to taught to Hindus as compaed with the Christians, as they got support from the British government.

[4] http://www.skvtcollege.in/about.html

[5] SKVT College, Ananda Gardens, Danavaipet, Rajahmundry. 533101; Phone: 0883-2461730; Mail : mails@skvtcollege.info

[6] http://aphistorycongress.com/

The Proceedings of the 42nd Session of APHC held at Narsapur on January 6th and 7th 2018 (1)

The Proceedings of the 42^nd Session of APHC held at Narsapur on January  6^th and 7^th 2018 (1)

Reaching Narsapur station, here the climate was chill as compared to Chennai.

The 42^nd session of APHC was held at Narsapur: The 42^nd session of APHC was held at Narsapur on January 6^th and 7^th 2018, at Sri Y. N. College (Autonomous), Narsapur, West Godavari District, Andhrapradesh. The Circular dated 03-11-2017 was sent to the members by the Local Secretary[1] giving details as usual. The Circular of the Local Secretary[2] was received later giving the details about the venue, delegate fees, hospitality, etc. As usual, the delegates started reaching on January 5^th, as they had to come from distant places, moreover, Narsapur has been a small town on the banks of Godavari and the trains destined there stop as there is no line further. I started on 4^th evening to reach Narsapur, as I wanted to see the places connected with the Colonial factories, shipbuilding activities etc. prof. Madhusudhana Rao joined me at Naidupeta. On 5^th morning, we reached Bhimavaram by 6.15 am and we took a passenger train from there to reach Narsapur by 8.30 am. Narsapur has been a nostalgic place for Madgusudhana Rao, as he studied there in Taylor School, when his father was working there as a Judge. By  catching an auto, we went to C. Mallipudi Event Plaze, opposite to Rajagopala Swany temple, Steamer Road, Narsapur – 532 275. Settling down there, we decided to go out and visit places as decided[3]. Evening, we went Sri Y. N. College and paid the delegate fees of Rs.600/- and returned to Hotel Room.

Founder of the college – Sri Yerramilli Narayanamurthy, an eminent Advocate and educationalist

The Narsapur College started in 1949 renamed as “Sri Y. N. College” in 1969: This college was founded in the year 1949 as “The Narsapur College” by Sri Yerramilli Narayanamurthy, an eminent Advocate and educationalist to cater the needs and to improve the facility of collegiate education in the Godavari Districts on the banks of river Godavari [4]. His legal firm, undeterred and unflinching efforts won the munificence of the Govt. Of Andhra State in transferring its sub-collector’s quarters to house the college. The transferred quarters of the sub collector is a 300 year monumental “Dutch building” situated in an area of 14 Acres on the banks of river Godavari and is a real picture of sylvan beauty and serenity. Now the age old Dutch Building surrounded by state-of-the-art blocks and buildings constructed from the U.G.C grants, present a unique picture of “Temple of Learning” in its real sense.

Present VP, Secretary-Correspondent and Treasurer

The college in 1967 was named after its founder as “Sri Yerramilli Narayanamurthy College” popularly known as “Sri Y.N.College”.  It attained the status of the full fledged college in 1956 and has been elevated to Post-Graduate level in the year 1989-90. The entire college is affiliated to Andhra University, Visakhapatnam and is spread over 14 Acres having an excellent accommodation with impressive infrastructure. Such as Administrative, Post Graduate, Physical and Biological Science blocks, permanent class rooms, spacious Auditorium, Library buildings for UG and PG, Gymnasium, Seminar Hall, Computer Labs for Both UG and PG etc. During the year 2000, this college has celebrated its Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Inaugural session

Inauguration of 42^nd session (06-01-2018): As usual, though, the inaugural session was to start by 10 am as per the invitation card, it started late, as perhaps, they were waiting for the chief guest. Then the handing over of the charge of General Secretary, facilitation of each other and other rituals continued. V. Ramakrishna, though he refused to come to the stage, when, he was invited, later went there and spoke. He pointed out that after the bifurcation of the AP state into AP and Telengana, the assets (archives, museum materials, and other documents) have to be divided. There are two committees formed and reports submitted, but, no action taken, and all papers have been gathering dust in the office of the department of archaeology and museums. So he requested the authorities to do the needful. He also mentioned about the “Sources of History – Telugu speaking people” book release. The APHC website was launched with the photos of the inaugural function appearing immediately[5].

Dr Vani Mohan IAS inaugurates – Photo courtesy Y. N. College

The following were at the stage:

Dr G.Vani Mohan IAS, Commissioner of the Department of Archaeology & Museums, Govt. of Andhrapradesh, Vijayawada

Prof Y. Sudershana Rao, former Chairperson, ICHR

V. K. Rama Rao, Vive President, Sri Y.N.College

Dr. Satyanarayana Rao, Secretary & Correspondent, Sri Y.N.College

Dr Gopala Krishnamurthy, Treasurer, Sri Y.N.College

Dr A. R. S. Kumar, Principal, Sri Y.N.College

Audience during inaugural session

Audience during inaugural session – middle

Dr Vani Mohan IAS (11.55 to 12.16): Dr G.Vani Mohan IAS[6], Commissioner of the Department of Archaeology & Museums, Govt. of Andhrapradesh, Vijayawada, though came late, spoke giving interesting details about her interest in history and as to how it helped her to score high marks in Civil Services Examinations to get through and become IAS officer. Though he had some differences / difficulties in attending the function, she decided to come and attend. She pointed out the existence of thread of continuity in the culture of India since time immemorial, as could be noted from many archaeological evidences recovered at different places, citing example of puja objects and utensils. Digitization of artifacts in the museums would help a lot for researchers and also from tracing, misplacing etc. “Projection map” technique is to be used for important sites to attract the tourists, giving the example of Somanath.

She felt pride by converting dumping yard into “Buddha park” and mentioned about Polavaram excavations going on where megalithic culture objects have been recovered. There is one conference on it in March 13^th and 14^th 2018. As for as the “dividing assets”, she pointed out that there are 54,000 artifacts, 14,000 books and other documents are there and they have to be handed over, only safe rooms are ready for them.

A Note on the Polavaram Project: A 10,000-year old megalithic burial site with around 100 graves discovered in December 2016, in East Godavari district would be history again even before archaeologists can study them in detail thanks to the massive Polavaram dam coming up across the Godavari. The stone or cist graves dating back to 8th millennium BC at Rudramakota and neighbouring villages of Velerupadu mandal were unearthed by AP state archaeology officials. The Polavaram project, which gained steam after the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) sanctioned a loan of Rs 1,981 crore, would also sink about a dozen old temples dating back to Kakatiya dynasty of 12th century. Several villages in Velerupadu mandal, which was earlier part of Khammam district but was merged with East Godavari as part of the AP State Reorganisation Act, 2014, would also be submerged in the backwaters of Polavaram[7]. The AP government plans to complete the ambitious project before the general elections in 2019. The region surrounding the Godavari on AP-Telangana border is rich in early man stone graves. Several megalithic burials have been discovered in the region in the past few decades.

APHC proceedings released  – Photo courtesy Y. N. College

“There are about 100 megalithic burials on a hillock in the village. Besides the cist graves at Rudramakota (Rudrakota), we also discovered burials at Rayalipet of Yetapaka mandal. The stone burials are west of Bhadracha lam, about 12 km away. Many graves are in disturbed condition. We have identified 17 villages for excavation,” said East Godavari archaeology technical assistant Timma Raju, one of the three-member team that discovered the graves[8]. Raju said that the department plans to preserve parts of the graves at another location before its submergence.While artefacts and other material in the graves would be sent to state museum for display. The ancient temples located at Kukunoor, Vaddigudem, Motigadda, Iravendi and other places that fall under the Polavaram submergence area would also be relocated. “The study of these graves will give us an insight into the social, economic and religious habits of our ancestors. We need to study them in detail and preserve them as their history will be lost forever under Polavaram reservoir,” he said. For the first time in South India, archaeological authorities have found rare multi-colour semi-precious stone beads in large quantities during ongoing excavations at a megalithic burial site at Rayannapeta of Yetapaka mandal in East Godavari[9]. As many as 69 beads of crystal, carnelian and chalcedony with red, white and blue-brown colour combination were found and they were dated back to fourth or fifth century BC. Each bead is six mm in diameter with three mm thickness[10].

Souvenir released  – Photo courtesy Y. N. College

The proceedings, souvenir …were released.

Modern session, chaired by Prof K. R. Iqbal Ahmad.

Modern session, view of the audience.

Modern session, another view of the audience.

Dr Kumarasamy was protesting raising slogans, as his paper was not published in the volume.

Technical, paper reading sessions (06-01-2018): After lunch, as usual the sectional presidents went on reading their papers, already printed and circulated to all delegates. This has been going on in all conferences involving huge money, as they are printed several times in the booklets and verbatim in the proceedings again. And it could be noted as to how the contents of the narratives of their papers have been repeated again and again, as I have been noting for the last 35 years of various conferences like IHC, SIHC, TNHC, AIOC etc. Afte 4 pm, the paper reading session started as follows:

	Session	Sectional president nominted	Room no
1	Ancient Andhra History & Archaeology	Dr.V. Sudershan, V.S.M. College, Ramachandrapuram	1
2	Medieval Andhra History	Prof. Sanjay Subodh, Department of History, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad	2
3	Modern Andhra History	Prof. K.R. Iqbal Ahamed, Director, Directorate of Distance Education, Moulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad	3
4	Historiography	Prof. Mahalakshmi Ramakrishnan, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi	4
5	Local History	Dr. Gadam Gopala Swamy, Retd. Principal, SVSS Arts & Science Degree College, Attili.	5

My paper was over at the modern session, it was received well and at the end, the dectional president also appreciated that my paper gave intetesting unknown details about the metal work from the Chjolas to modern colonial period. Significantly, he stressed that all should be in the hall when papers were presented by others and one should not simply present paper and go away. They should develop the habit of listening to others.

Ancient session, chaired by Dr V. Sudarshan.

Ancient session, Harshavardhan presents paper.

Ancient – view of the audience

Mamidipudi Venkata Rangayya Memorial Lecture: Mamidipudi Venkata Rangayya Memorial Lecture was delivered by Prof. Mahalakshmi Ramakrishnan[11], Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The invitation mentioned her topic as “Commemorating Death: Forms and symbols in Early Medieval Tamilnadu.”  In general, she dwelt upon the issue. After dinner, the first day proceedings were over. The food had been very good and the delegates enjoyed well.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

09-01-2018

[1] G. Venkataramaiahm, Plot No.61-PH. No.6-72-61/P, Satya Nilayam, Sshank Enclave, Near Krishna Theatre, Dammaiguda, Hyderabad-83;  venkataramaiah@gmail.com, 9440212560.

[2] Sri S. Soma Sekhar, HOD, History Department, Sri. Y.N.College was the Local Secretary.

[3] I shall post the details in a separate blog about our visit to different places of Narsapur.

[4] These detailsarere taken from the coollege website: http://www.sriyncollege.org/ and http://www.sriyncollege.org/about-us/

[5] http://aphistorycongress.com/

[6] https://www.facebook.com/vani.m.ias

[7] Times of India, Polavaram to bury 10,000-year-old graves, Syed Akbar| TNN | Updated: Dec 29, 2016, 01.11 PM IST.

[8] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/polavaram-to-bury-10000-yr-old-graves/articleshow/56233064.cms

[9] DECCAN CHRONICLE, Semi-precious stone beads found at Polavaram area, Published Dec 14, 2017, 11:17 am IST; Updated Dec 14, 2017, 11:17 am IST.

[10] https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/141217/semi-precious-stone-beads-found-at-polavaram-area.html

[11] Associate Professor, JNU, Room no. 103, SSS 1 Tel: 011- 26704475; Mobile: +919818028615 E-mail: rmahalakshmi@mail.jnu.ac.in, mahaarakesh@gmail.com Education: Ph.D., Ancient Indian History, Centre for Historical Studies, JNU, 2006. ‘The Making of the Goddess Koṟṟavai-Durgā in the Tamil Religious Tradition, circa AD 600- 1300’. https://www.jnu.ac.in/Faculty/mahalakshmi/cv.pdf

 

The proceedings of 38th session of the Andhra Pradesh History Congress (APHC) 2014 held at Tirupati

The proceedings of 38^th session of the Andhra Pradesh History Congress (APHC) 2014 held at Tirupati

Entrance to the Reddy Bhawanam – myself and Dr Aravinda Kumar, Dravidian University, Kuppam

The Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology of Sri Venkateswara University hosted the APHC: The 38^th session of the Andhra Pradesh History Congress (APHC) was held at Tirupati on 4^th and 5^th of January 2014 and hosted by the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology (mentioned as AIHC & A) of Sri Venkateswara University (mentioned as S. V. University[1]). When I reached the venue on 3^rd evening, I could find only 20-30 delegates had arrived. Thus, the delegates were accommodated at the Reddy Bhawanam, Karakambadi (Mangalam) Road, Timminaidu Palem, Tirupati which is 6-7 kms away from the venue of the proceedings of APHC. This was the same place, where I stayed when I came here to attend the Conference organized by the Indian Institute for the American Studies in July 2013. From Railway station and Bus-stand, the delegates were received on 3^rd evening onwards and taken to the venue, where registration was done and food provided. The volunteers had been very active in taking the delegates to the venue.

Entrance to the Reddy Bhawanam – delegates coming out

Dr Sambaiah and others can be seen.

IHC trends seen in APHC?: On 3^rd evening something happened at the time dinner made me to recollect what had happened at the IHC session held at Calcutta. When one student of History department tried to take food that was objected by another leading to some unpleasant incidence[2]. The Governor of West Bengal hosted dinner at the lawns of Victoria Memorial Hall. They started gathering waiting for the food. When the food came, the so-called historians, history professors, teachers and others virtually pounced on the food trays. At that time I attended the Conference with my office friends S/Sri Sridharan, Perumal, Tiruvengadam and others[3]. Of course, we had been life members of IHC. The uruly behaviour appeared strange to us and therefore, we started controlling them by asking to stand in the queue, distributing the plates and started serving. After half an hour, some persons started running towards us and asked why we were doing the serving. We explained, then, they identified themselves that they had to that job! The point is that historians talk so many things about equality, social justice, and egalitarian society and so on. But when it comes for practicing, they behave differently.

Entrance to the Reddy Bhawanam – delegates coming out

Bus came to pick up the delegates.

Delegates in bus – proceeding to the venue

Inauguration at “Srinivasam Hall” (04-01-2014):  Even on 4^th morning, the strength of the delegates had been less as compared to the previous sessions. Obviously, because of the “Telingana issue”, there was bundh on 3^rd and thus, the local delegates could not have arrived at on 3^rd or 4^th. Perhaps, the delegates from “Telengana” might have avoided also, as many other familiar faces were missing. Even after breakfast and assembled at the “Srinivasam Hall”, the delegates numbers were only 32. Suddenly, two bus-loads of students arrived and they were made to stand either side of the entrance with flowers in their hands. More students arrived occupying the chairs and thus suddenly, the auditorium appeared full within an hour. The session was inaugurated by Prof L. Venugopal Reddy[4], Chairman of Andhra Pradesh State Commissioner for Higher Education (APSCHE) at the “Srinivasam Hall” nearby. The Hall has been huge one could accommodate perhaps about 1000, but most of the seats have been in bad condition – hand-rests removed, torn, and so also seats[5]. The delegates were welcomed by Prof N. Krishna Reddy, details briefed by P. Bhaskar Reddy and message given by Kiran Kranth Chudary. The Annual Report was presented by Pasala Sudhakar, the General Secretary. Padmashri K. Paddayya, Former Director, Deccan College, Deemed University, Pune was installed as the president of the current session. In the list, Prof Kesavan Veluthat was give presidential remarks, but he did not turn up[6].  As the delegates were few, local school and college students were brought to fill the big auditorium, but some of them were creating noise, indulged in shouting and whistling and booing too. At one stage, Prof L. Venugopal Reddy told that the place was not theatre and they could not respond in such a way. The professors were seen running towards the students and tried to control the shouting students. Instead of making to gathering of such uninterested crowd, they could have arranged a small hall to accommodate the delegates and others who were interested, so that such type of aberrations could have been avoided.

Entrance to the department of AIHC & A

The the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology of Sri Venkateswara University (mentioned as S. V. University.

Kiran Kranth Chaudary welcoming Aravindakumar at the entrance of the building of the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology of Sri Venkateswara University.

A. R. Ramachandra Reddy, Venkata Ramana Reddy, Jawahar Lal and others also can be seen.

The food problem

V. Ramakrishna, Kiran Kranth Chaudary, Venkata Ramana Reddy and others can be seen.

V. Ramakrishna, Venkataramana Reddy, Kiran Kranth Chaudary, P. Sudhakar

Historians V. Ramakrishna, Venkata Ramana Reddy, Kiran Kranth Chaudary, Pasala Sudhakar can be seen.

Srinivasam Hall entrance – where inauguration was held

Srinivasam Hall entrance – where inauguration was held.

Beautiful Rangoli / Kolam drawn at the entrance of Srinivasam Hall

Beautiful Rangoli / Kolam drawn at the entrance of Srinivasam Hall – Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology – Andhra Pradesh History Congress – Welcome to delegates – can be seen in colours!

Students lined up on either side of the entrance to receive the VIPs with flowers showering!

Students lined up on either side of the entrance to receive the VIPs with flowers showering! Till 10.30 am none was there, but then the students came, as pointed out in the write-up.

Welcome to delegates – banner

Banner put up on the RHS of the Srinivasam Hall – welcoming the delegates and guests of APHC.

Audience during the inaugural function

Students filled hall can be seen.

Audience during the inaugural function – another view

VIPS yet to come – Audience during the inaugural function – another view.

Now VIPS occupied the stage

K. Paddayya, L. Venugopal Reddy, W. Rajendra, Kiran Kranth Chaudary, P. Sudhkar on the stage.

Now VIPS occupied the stage – another view

Bhaskara Reddy, K. Paddayya, L. Venugopal Reddy, W. Rajendra, Kiran Kranth Chaudary, P. Sudhkar on the stage.

section of the audience

Many VIPs, SIHC members can be seen.

Audience stood up to respect Telugu Mother invocation song

Audience stood up to respect Telugu Mother through the invocation song.

Can the ritualization of Inauguration can be reduced?: The inaugural function ended by 2.00 pm with the speeches of VIPs, office bearers and Sectional Presidents. As I have been attending this type of conferences since 1983, I do not find any difference and everything went on as usual. Mentioning names, praising others, receiving shawls, mementos, posing for photographs and video …………all have become routine. The speakers also talk traditionally without adopting the current methods of presentation. They could use “Power-point” to convey more to the audience than the one hour long speech. Thus, perhaps, here they had taken a long time for the inaugural session to conclude. As the session had gone beyond lunch time, there were delegates found taking food already. The inaugural session is highly ritualized in almost all History Congresses. In Cuttack, the IHC was rather politicized also. Thus, it is evident that historian have been drifting away from their academic pursuits.

 

Modern Andhra History section

Modern Andhra History section – president Bhangya Bukya, Kanakaratnam and others can be seen.

Modern Andhra History section – audience

Modern Andhra History section – audience

KVR presenting paper

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao presenting his paper – Modern Andhra History section – president Bhangya Bukya and others can be seen.

Modern Andhra History section – audience another view

Modern Andhra History section – audience another view.

Paper-reading sessions: After lunch, the paper-reading sessions started. The following sessions were held with the Sectional presidents as shown against each:

Sl. No	Section	Name	Designation	Where held
1	Ancient Andhra History and Archaeology	Prof K. Venkatachalam,	Registrar, Parmar University	AIHC and Museum Hall
2	Medieval Andhra History and culture	Victor Babu	Dr B. R. Ambedkar University, Lucknow	Psychology seminar Hall
3	Modern Andhra History	Dr Bhangya Bukya	EFLU, Hyderabad	Arts Block Auditorium
4	Local History	Dr  J. Sujana Mallika	RJD, Intermediate Bosard, Tirupati	English class room
5	Historiography	Dr K A Manikumar	Retd. History Prof, Tirunelveli	English class room

Significantly, in Modern Section, the sectional chairman Dr Bhangya Bukya EFLU, Hyderabad was responding to every paper and offering critical, encouraging and constructive comments and suggestions. He was also point out that paper-presenters should not simply present the facts culled from newspapers, secondary sources and archives materials, but offer their new findings and the conceptual, textual and non-textual interpretations to bring out their point of view. There was lively discussion on certain papers dealing with current affairs and controversial issues.

 

Prof Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiah Memorial Lecture – 26 was delivered by Retd. History Prof. K A Manikumar

Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiah Memorial Lecture – 26: This year Prof Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiah Memorial Lecture – 26 was delivered by Retd. History Prof. K A Manikumar on “Impact of British colonialism on different social classes in 19^th century Madras Presidency” on 4^th evening at the Srinivasam Hall. Then also some students were making noise and Manikumar told that “it was not inaugural function, if they did not want, they could go out of the hall”!  I had many occasions to listen to K A Manikumar in other seminars and conferences.  It was followed by the cultural programme. There was problem with Sound-system that delayed the paper-presentation of K A Manikumar that continued and affected the effective performance of the artists during the cultural programme also. Incidentally, one professor from the Archaeology Department was also part of the Music troupe and he was rendering classical songs rhythmically. Thus, archaeologist could also exhibit other talents besides digging. After dinner, it was reported that the Executive Committee meeting was held till 11.30pm.

 

cultural programme

Cultural programme presented by the Archaeology department staff

APHC 2014 delegates queued for food

APHC  2014 delegates queued for food.

APHC 2014 delegates queued for food

APHC  2014 delegates queued for food – another view.

APHC 2014 Adapa with Sivakumar Aruni ICHR

Adapa with Sivakumar Aruni ICHR – enjoying food and discussing.

APHC 2014 Ramachandra Reddy eating and enjoying with his colleagues

Ramachandra Reddy eating and enjoying with his colleagues.

delegates taking food

Sivakumar Aruni, Kanakaratnam and others taking food.

Ezhilraman with K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

Proceedings of the second day (05-01-2014): On 5^th (the second day), the paper reading sessions continued. After lunch, in a programme held at the Arts Block auditorium, some historians were facilitated and it was sponsored by the Department of Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology of Sri Venkateswara University. The following historians were honoured:

1. C. V. Ramachandra Rao
2. O. Sambaiah
3. A. Sathyanarayana
4. Durga Prasad
5. N. S. Ramachandramurthy
6. Jawaharlal
7. Soma Reddy
8. Bhaskara Reddy.

The business session was also held there after the facilitation function. About the next venue of the APHC, nothing was decided, as none came forward so far to host and therefore, it would be considered later. In short, the 38^th session of APHC was concluded quickly just like years passing on. We meet again and again.

---

[1] It is surprising me note in other cases, specifically the adjectives / titles are mentioned faithfully, though not relevant (even after retirement, resignation etc), but here, the name of the University is shortened, though it is short and mentioned differently.

[2] Later some technical objection was raised that he was not registered as delegate. In fact, at that time, none was registered delegates, as it was done later.

[3] We are all from the Central Excise department interested in history and thus became life members immediately. In fact, in the case of Sridharan, he had passed competitive exams and gone to Income Tax from Excise and again from Income tax to Customs with his interest in “History and other related studies”.

[4] http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/apsche-chairman-feted/article5404308.ece

[5] Later, during cultural programme, one student wearing yellow colour shirt with black stripes sitting in the front seat of third row on LHS viewing from the stage, caved in as his seat fell down! Then he moved to first seat of the first row on LHS as mentioned.

[6] He was attending Indian History Congress held at Cuttack from 28^th to 30^th December. At that time I could see many delegates from Andhrapradesh also.

The 37th session of Andhra Pradesh Annual History Conference, Avanigadda

The 37^th session of Andhra Pradesh Annual History Conference, Avanigadda

The 37^th session of Andhra Pradesh Annual History Conference was held at Avaigannda, Krishna district, Andhrapradesh. It was hosted by the Sri Mandali Venkata Krishna Rao College of education, Gandhi Khetram, Avanigadda, is the headquarters of Divi Taluk situated 38 kms east of Masulipatnam and 7 kms from Repalle. The delegates were received from the Vijayawada Railway station and Bus-stand and taken to Avanigadda by bus taking three hours journey.

As the place of session had been situated at a remote place, the strength of delegates had been less as compared to the earlier sessions. Yet, the organizers could manage to the three hundred delegates arrived from different parts of Andhra, Tamilnadu and Pondicherry. Mandali Venkatram, the Local secretary has been a young man, but could manage the entire show. Perhaps, for the first time, I could see a Youngman managing the proceedings of a history session.

The hospitality was shared by many personalities of which, Sri Punnam Raju[1], Secretary / Correspondent of Sri Sunflower College of Engineering & Technology[2] provided accommodation and Sri Mandali Buddha Prasad[3], local Congress leader and chairman of Telugu Sahitha Academy food and other facilities.

The delegates were accommodated at the hostels of engineering college and school run by Sri Sunflower Educational Society.

The inauguration was done at the auditorium of Gandhi Khetram, Avanigadda and the Supreme Court Judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar inaugurated the conference on 5^th morning. Hyderabad Central University Vice-Chancellor Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, Bharata Sahitya Academy secretary K. Srinivasa Rao and other spoke. The recollection of the Judge about the preserving and disposal of “historical documents and monuments” had been interesting and thought provoking.

He also recalled the services of the great king Sri Krishnadevarayalu for Telugu literature[4]. But, it was a great concern that the history was neglected a lot, he said.

Mr. Buddhaprasad said that the land of Telugu and the language has a glorious past. Many historic temples are located in Diviseema, which was also the birthplace of Siddendrayogi, Pingali Venkaiah and other great poets…….The government should present awards to the great historians, who served the motherland, he said and asked the delegates to spread the message on the importance of Telugu culture, tradition and language to one and all. Researchers spoke on ancient history, medieval history, modern history and on local history. Prof Kesavan Veluthat[5], University of Delhi was the General President of the session replacing Prof R. Soma Reddy. Prof. Kesavan Veluthat’s address was “Regional history in the making of regions”.

After the ritual of inauguration, the technical session of paper reading started and the Sectional Presidents as usual started reading their papers from the printed booklets, which were customarily circulated to all delegates as follows:

Sl.No	Period	Sectional president	Title of the paper presented
1	Ancient Andhra history and archaeology	Prof V. Menakumari	Architecture in Andhradesa: A brief study
2	Medieval	Prof Kiran Kranth Choudary	Tax terms – Vijayanagara period
3	Modern	Prof E. Sudharani	Exploring women’s history during Asaf Jahis: Initial reflections and prospects.
4	Historiography	Prof B. Surendra Rao	Why Historiography?
5	Local History	Dr G. V. Purnachandu	Prachina Krishna tiram (Ancent Krishna Region – a Relook) – maru chupu (in Telugu)

They read their papers in theie respective sessions followed by the presentation of papers by the professors, lecturers, researchers and students of history.

Sl.No	Period	Sectional president	No. Of papers presented
1	Ancient Andhra history and archaeology	Prof V. Menakumari	13
2	Medieval	Prof Kiran Kranth Choudary	21
3	Modern	Prof E. Sudharani	42
4	Historiography	Prof B. Surendra Rao	2
5	Local History	Dr G. V. Purnachandu	25

557 entrance of the venue

Inside the venue – LHS – History exhibition (hidden); backside – book exhibition; RHS – the auditorium where inauguration and valedictory functions were held.

The following have been my observations. The judge was sitting, whereas, Soma Reddy next to him seen sit cross-legged.

The judge was looking at him, making observations, expressions on the face etc., but he could not understand or otherwise!

So he too had lift his leg and do like his RHS man doing!

Earlier, he was making several gestures to make him understand perhaps!

567, 243, 244 – The was looking at him for his mannerism as both the historians sitting on his left (Kesavan Veluthat) and right (Soma Reddy) were sitting cross-legged;

254 – after some time judge also sit cross-legged, and the left-side historian sit normally now!

568 – children sitting depicting different historical personalities of India.

569 – same as above another view

558 – the Gandhi statue both hands broken placed backside, RHS of the book exhibition

559 – same as above – another view – perhaps, he could have been accommodated elsewhere in the “Gandhi-khetram”!

Inauguration of photo-exhibition

115 – inauguration of History exhibition  by the judge

137 – book exhibition – telugu books

150 – book exhibition – ICHR

186 – section of the audience during the inaugural function

187 – another view of the audience

191 – yet another view of the audience

270 – Souvenir released

280 – proceedings released, but, as usual it was not distributed to the delegates.

288 – book released

298 – yet another book released

328 – 5^th evening, Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Memorial Lecture was delivered by Prof  B Surendra Rao, Mangalore University on “Nationalism and Historical writing”. His anxiety about history loosing importance was revealed through his observations. He lamented[6] that, “In independent India historians are not allowed to explore or explain history, as, for example, scientist are privileged to do about their respective subjects…”, ignoring that history cannot be “objective”. His ambiguity was revealed subsequently[7]. Though, there have been different interpretations of history and historiography, developed and applied in India thrusted on Indians, only “communal” variety has to be taken for discussion. Why and how the so-called “Muslimness” remained long for it to become  “a site of political and ideological warfare” has not been brought out, instead, he poses “V. D. Savarkar, M. S. Gowalkar and others (others are not named)[8] as the counterparts of “Muslimness” i.e, “Hindutva” without referring to the recent publications.

A careful reading of his whole paper criticises “nationalist” historiography and the writing of history “under national flag”, but he fails or reluctant to the duty of so-called historians to present the Indian history in right perspective. Why the so-called histories have not delivered the “right Indian history” without nationalism, right-wing narcissism, orientalism etc., to suit ordinary Indians or consumers of “history”, as he perceived. As many paper readers do not come to conclusion or have guts to pronounce categorically what is his result, he has also ended with warning to such “nationalist” historiographers of different categories. Therefore, he has added one more verbose paper to the existing category. To quote his last two lines, “Is history too important to be left out tio care of historians, or it is an assertion, sometimes bordering on clumsiness, of the consumer’s sovereignty that sets aside the historian’s labours and judgments? Either way the nationalist fervour or label does not seem to promise much freedom to the historian as it does to the assertive consumers of history”.

A section of the audience during the Memorial lecture.

372 – cultural program

402 – cultural program – audience view

181 – paper reading session

184 – Medieval history – here, one lady presented a paper on “Jambudwipa at Konakondala” claiming that for the first time she discovered it. In fact, There have been plenty of material already available about the so-called “Jambudweepa at Konakondala”:

Jambu Dweepa at Konakondla[9]: “The Jain Mythical cosmographical diagram of Jambu Dweepa engraved on a stone on the top of the hill Alchemists at Konakondla village in Vajrakarur Mandal which was identified by Sri R.V. Chakravarthy, Head Master, Parishad High School, Konakondla in the year 1966. The pilgrims, especially south Indian Jain pilgrims are mostly attracted by this Jambu Dweepa which is 70 kms from Anantapur or 10 kms from Guntakal Railway Station. Adjacent to this, there are Kambam Narasimha Swamy Hills, Rasasidda hillock and Kari Basappa hillock. There is a Thirthanka Temple with idols of Thirthankaras (high priests) on Rasasidda hillock. This may belong to 13^th Century A.D”. [details as per the website].

The paintings, drawings and sketches of it are available in different books and nowadays can be downloaded from the website also.  Yet, the paper presenter claimed that she only discovered it, in spite of the facts mentioned above. Moreover, she had chosen to another “black and white” sketch to explain the “puranic description” of Jambudwipa. As it was identified in 1966 and photos were also taken, it is evident that it was there already by that time. Moreover, the paper-presenter never showed tis picture, instead, she was showing one sketch from some other book. Therefore, when pointed out and asked about the dating, he could not explain.

For illustrative purposes, some of the pictures have been reproduced below:

A painting of modern period – is available for sale!

Comparing with the above, here, we can note more depictions have been there surrounding the “Jambudwipa”

A comprehensive depiction of two-dimensional picture into three-dimensional – similar to Sri-chakra Mahameru.

205 – valedictory session

216 – young Local secretary.

Acknowledgment: I thank Sri Mandali Venkatram, the young and energetic local secretary for providing above photos (of the session).

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[1] The Secretary & Correspondent Sri Sunflower Educational Society has the experience of running two well reputed schools in two different Mandals in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh for the last twenty years with a student’s strength of above 2000. the Secretary & Correspondent of this Institution, he was proud of moulding many of his school children as Engineers, doctors and Officers who proved themselves worthy and deserving both within India and abroad. Besides, the society started a Junior College, which has won many laurels from the public for its outstanding academic performances within short span of time (2 years from establishment). Further, the secretary has vast and rich experience in conducting several career guidance and personality development programs for students and youth, by being a Lions Club District Chairman for the same. The Secretary of the society successfully introduced many dynamic and revolutionary experiments in academic as well as administrative aspects. Above all, he is blessed by the grace of the almighty in maintaining a very social relationship with all the parents and students which in turn makes him to comprehend and psychiatric and psychological fluctuations of the tender minds and there by to assist them to cross over their hidden reasons that make them academically backward. http://www.sunflowercet.org/chairman.php

[2] http://www.sunflowercet.org/

[3] Sri Mandali Buddha Prasad born to Sri Mandali Venkata Krishna Rao, Smt. Prabhavathi Devi on 26.05.1956 at Nagayalanka Village in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh. His father Sri Mandali Venkata (M.V.) Krishna Rao was a staunch follower of Gandhian Philosophy and a social worker. He served as a Member of Parliament and a Cabinet Minister in the State for a long time and influenced the State politics. He got the rare distinction of conducting the First World Telugu Conference during the year 1975, thereby bringing all Telugu people scattered throughout the world to one platform. His services to the victims of cyclone and tidal wave that hit the coastal area of Andhra Pradesh on 19 November 1977 were attracted the entire world and still remembered. He is known as a great humanist and selfless leader.Sri Mandali Buddha Prasad attained all the great qualities of his father and is moving in his footsteps. After completing his primary and high school education at Avanigadda, Krishna District, Sri Buddha Prasad graduated from Osmania University, Hyderabad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandali_Buddha_Prasad

[4] Incidentally, “A Neglected Emperor Poet” by Gadicherla Hari Sarvottama Rao was circulated among the delegates .

[5] I used to meet him at the sessions of IHC and discuss about Sangam literature, as he used to present papers.

[6] Prof  B Surendra Rao, Nationalism and Historical writing, fn.1, p.22

[7] See fn.2, p.22.

[8] P.16.

[9] http://anantapur.gov.in/html/district-profile.htm

Andhra Pradesh History Congress – 36

The 36^th Annual session of Andhra Pradesh Hstory Congress (APHC)

APHC – Thirty sixth session at Ongole: The 36^th Annual session of APHC was inaugurated at the C. S. R. Sarma College, Ongole affiliated to the Nagarjuna University on January 7^th 2012. It was presided over by the Justice K. G. Shankar, High Court, AP. The C. S. R. Sarma College, Ongole hosted the session coinciding with their Diamond Jubilee Year 2012. On the occasion, they provided a diary to all the delegates, however, it does not contain any brief about the college. Had it contained the history of the College, it would have been informative to know its growth and achievements attained since 1952.

Sidda Venkateswara Rao, Krishna Sai Granites,

R. Soma Reddy, General Secretary, APHC

Justice K. G. Shankar, High Court, AP

D. Musala Rao

Karavadi Venkateswarrlu, Secretary and Correspondent, C.S.R. Sarma College

Rajan, Ancient History,

Mohan, Medieval  History, Sectional President.

Srinivasulu, Secretary.

M. Nagaraju, Local secretary, APHC

Chivukula Sri Rama Sarma College, Ongole: Chivukula Sri Rama Sarma was a famous politician and founder of CSR Sarma college and was considered “King maker” during Ongole politics in 1960s and 70s. Pratapagiri Ramamurthy was the first principal of the College. The present management of the college under the stewardship of Sri Karvadi Venkateswarlu, Secretary and Correspondent of the college, a noted freedom fighter and reputed advocate, is putting his strenus and dedicated efforts I protecting and strengthening the goals set by the founders. As such the institution was accredited with B++ by NAAC in 2007. After celebrating the Silver and Golden Jubilees, the college is marching ahead to its Diamond Jubiliee yewar in 2012. To mark the occasion, the institution is hostng the 36^th annual session of APHC[1].

Karavadi Venkateswarrlu: Being, the Secretary and Correspondent of C.S.R. Sarma College, he has been active even in his 82^nd age[2]. He pointed out the importance of history briefly. He also released the proceedings volume of the 35^th session. He said that when K. Srinivasulu, General Secretary came to him about hosting the APHC session, he immediately agreed considering the importance of the subject.

The presidential address: Sri K. G. Shankar, the Justice High Court, AP started talking that he was perhaps not warranted person there, as he was not an “historian” and he was there, as he was invited by his friends of the college. Says that he was not believing that the Puranas could contain history, until he happened to read a book of H. Ray about the Political History of India, which starts with Parikshit, the grandson of Pandavas[3].

Judges and historians are common in removing chaff from the grains. On the contrast, he recalled about the Chandavaram murder case[4], whenever, he used to think of Chandavaram, instead of the monument there (i.e, objectivity changes). In those days, a Maoist was murdered and the outcome of the judgment was eagerly awaited even by the Chinese.

Paper-reading sessions: After lunch, the paper-reading sessions started under usual Ancient, Medieaval, modern, historiography and local histories.

Section	Period	President
I	Ancient Andhra history and archaeology	Prof K. Rajan
II	Medieval Andhra history	Dr V. K. Mohan
III	Modern Andhra history	Prof S. Srinath
IV	Local history	Sri B. Hanuma Reddy
V	Historiography	Prof K. Gopalankutty

24^th Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Memorial lecture: Evening, the Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Memorial lecture was delivered by Prof. K. Gopalankutty, Department of History, Calicut University, Calicut on the topic “What is History now – Challenges and Possibilities”[5]. Unlike others, his lecture was sharp, precise and over within time limit.

On the second day (January 8^th 2012), the paper-reading session continued. The valedictory function was there between 3 and 4.30 pm and the session was over.

CSR Sarma college

CSR Sarma college, Vivekananda statue

The aerial view of the College campus

Inauguration – sectional view of the audience / delegates

Inauguration – sectional view of the audience / delegates – another view

Lighting lamp with candle – medieval to modern – inaugural function

Ancient India session – first day – Rajan Sectional Presisdent

Ancient India session – first day

Medieval session – first day

Modern history session – second day – another view

Modern history session – second day – another view

Modern history session – second day

Modern history session – second day – another view

Medieval session – second day

Medieval session – second day

Medieval session – second day

Medieval ses

Readers are requested to provide more details and information regarding the APHC, so that they would be incorporated with acknowledgments.

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[1] From the circular of the Local Secretary of the APHC dated 11-11-2011.

[2] http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/06/stories/2005090606930300.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/03/stories/2009020351810300.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/08/stories/2009110853640300.htm

[3] Hemchandra Raychaudhuri, Political history of ancient India: from the accession of Parikshit to the extinction of the Gupta dynasty, University of Calcutta, 1953.

[4]  P.Purushothama Raju, In 1969-70, he was implicated in Chandavaram murder case and he spent 9 months in jail and later the case was dismissed.; http://bhagavathi-jp.blogspot.com/2011/03/late-prathigudupu-sobhanadri-raju-late.html

[5]