Inaugural Ceremony Laced With Humour, Tradition

The 3-day World Telugu Conference (WTC) had its own share of humour and elegance well received by the huge gathering at the inaugural ceremony.

President Pranab Mukherjee came in a dhoti, and so did Governor E S L Narsimhan, who wore a bordered kanduva. However, the surprise in store was Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy donning a dhoti.

Ramanachari, compere of the function, joked, "I hope the Chief Minister continues to wear the dhoti in the days to come."

Governor E S L Narasimhan, who spoke in Telugu, expressed his adoration for the language, and said it is such an easy language that even he can speak it - prompting thundering applause.

The Chief Minister, however, fumbled many a time while pronouncing certain words, but kept the momentum and his speech going.

The President traced the history of Telugu literature in a chronological order, naming prominent people, from Nannaya to Jnanpit awardees Vishwanatha Satyanarayana and Dr. C Narayana Reddy. He also made a mention of two of Telugu literaure's greatest plays - Kanyasulkam and Male Palli.

Of the prominent people who were to be felicitated on the occasion, Mohamad Azharuddin and Dr. C Naryana Reddy did not attend the event. The latter, it may be mentioned, was the centre of attraction during the first World Telugu Conference (WTC) held in Hyderabad, with his juicy running commentary laced with humour and satire. (INN)