"Padma Bhushan" Atal Bihari Vajpayee (One of the Great Politician in India) अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी

Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born on 25 December 1926, at Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. He was educated at Victoria (now Laximbai) College, Gwalior and D.A.V. College, Kanpur. He holds a M.A. degree. Shri. Vajpayee has remained bachelor. He also worked as a Journalist and as a social worker. In 1942, he was arrested during the freedom movement.

He is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Indian politics in general. He has served as a member of the Parliament of India for nearly 50 years. He is also a poet, writing in his native language, Hindi.

Early political career
Vajpayee's involvement in politics began as a freedom-fighter during the Quit India Movement of 1942-1945. Later he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an organization propounding Hindutva, or Hindu Nationalism and considered Right-Wing in Indian politics.

He became a close follower and aide to Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS). Vajpayee was at Mookerjee's side when he went on a fast-unto-death in Kashmir in 1953, to protest the identity card requirement and what he claimed was the "inferior" treatment of Indian citizens visiting Kashmir, and the special treatment accorded to Kashmir because it had a Muslim majority. Mookerjee's fast and protest ended the identity card requirement, and hastened the integration of Kashmir into the Indian Union. But Mookherjee died after weeks of weakness, illness and confinement in jail. These events were a watershed moment for the young Vajpayee. Taking the baton from Mookerjee, Vajpayee won his first election to parliament in 1957.

As the leader of BJS, he expanded its political appeal, organization and agenda. In spite of his youth, he soon became a respected voice in the opposition -- one of reason and intelligence. His broad appeal brought respect, recognition and acceptance to a rising nationalist cultural movement.

The Janata phase
While the Bharatiya Jana Sangh had strong constituencies of support, it failed to dislodge the Indian National Congress as the leading party in Indian parliament. Indira Gandhi's vast majorities in 1967 and 1971 further diminished other political parties.

When Prime Minister Gandhi imposed a national state of emergency in 1975, the RSS and BJS joined a wide-array of parties in opposing the suspension of elections and civil liberties. Vajpayee was briefly jailed during that period.

When Indira Gandhi called elections in 1977, the BJS joined the Janata coalition, a vast collage of regional groups, socialist, communist and right-wing forces. Janata swept the polls and formed the next government under Prime Minister Morarji Desai. Vajpayee took office as the Minister for External Affairs.

In a tenure lasting two years, Vajpayee achieved several milestones. He went on a historic visit to China in 1979, normalizing relations with China for the first time since the 1962 Sino-Indian War. He also visited Pakistan and initiated normal dialogue and trade relations that were frozen since the 1971 Indo-Pak War and subsequent political instability in both countries. This act was particularly surprising for a man perceived as a hard-right Hindu nationalist. Minister Vajpayee represented the nation at the Conference on Disarmament, where he defended the national nuclear program, the centerpiece of national security in the Cold War world, especially with neighboring China being a nuclear power. (India had become the sixth nuclear power in the world with an underground nuclear test at Pokhran in 1974) Although he resigned in 1979 when the government politically attacked the RSS, he had established his credentials as an experienced statesman and respected political leader. During this tenure, he also became the first person to deliver a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in Hindi (in 1977), the "most unforgettable" moment in his life by his own admission.

The rise of the BJP
Vajpayee resigned from government with Morarji Desai's resignation as prime minister, and the Janata coalition dissolved soon after. The BJS had devoted political organization to sustain the coalition and was left exhausted by the internecine wars within Janata.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, along with many BJS and RSS colleagues, particularly his long-time and close friends Lal Krishna Advani and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, formed the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980 as the new home of Hindutva, right-wing social and economic ideas and nationalism. Vajpayee became its founding President. The BJP was a strong critic of the Congress government, and while it opposed the Sikh militancy that was rising in the state of Punjab, it also blamed Indira Gandhi for divisive and corrupt politics that fostered the militancy at national expense. Leader Darasingh opines that Vajpayee thus "brought in Hindu-Sikh harmony.

Although supporting Operation Bluestar, the BJP strongly protested the violence against Sikhs in Delhi that broke out in 1984 following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. Vajpayee was known and commended for protecting Sikhs against Congress-followers seeking to avenge the death of their leader. While the BJP won only two parliamentary seats in the 1984 elections, in which the Congress party led by Rajiv Gandhi (son of Indira Gandhi) won in a historic landslide, the BJP however had established itself in the mainstream of Indian politics, and soon began expanding its organization to attract younger Indians throughout the country. During this period Vajpayee remained center-stage as party President and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, but increasingly hard-line Hindu nationalists began to rise within the party and define its politics.

The BJP became the political voice of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Movement, which was led by activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the RSS, and was seeking to build a temple dedicated to Lord Rama at the site of the Babri mosque in the city of Ayodhya. Hindu activists believed the site was the birthplace of the Lord, and thus qualified as one of the most sacred sites of Hinduism.

On December 6, 1992, hundreds of VHP and BJP activists broke down an organized protest into a frenzied attack on the mosque. By the end of the day, the mosque had crumbled to pieces. Over the following weeks, waves of violence between Hindus and Muslims erupted in various parts of the country, killing over 1000 people. The VHP organization was banned by the government, and many BJP leaders including Lal Krishna Advani were arrested briefly for provoking the destruction. Although widely condemned by many across the country for playing politics with sensitive issues, the BJP won the loyalty and support of millions of conservative Hindus, as well as national prominence.

Prime Minister of India
First Term: 1996
Political energy and expansion made BJP the single-largest political party in the Lok Sabha elected in 1996. Mired down by corruption scandals, the Congress was at a historic low, and a vast medley of regional parties and break-off factions dominated the hung Parliament. Asked to form the government, A.B. Vajpayee was sworn in as prime minister, but the BJP failed to gather enough support from other parties to form a majority. Vajpayee resigned after just 13 days, when it became clear that he could not garner a majority.

Second Term: 1998-1999
After a third-party coalition governed India between 1996 and 1998, the terribly divided Parliament was dissolved and fresh elections held. These elections again put the BJP at the head. This time, a cohesive bloc of political parties lined up with it to form the National Democratic Alliance, and A.B. Vajpayee was sworn in as the prime minister. The NDA proved its 286 vote majority in a narrow vote of confidence. Towards the end of 1998 however, the AIADMK under J.Jayalalitha withdrew its support from the 13-month old government. The government lost the ensuing vote of confidence motion by a single vote.Chief Minister of Orissa state voted in the parliment as sitting congress member. As the opposition was unable to come up with the numbers to form the new government, the country returned to elections with Vajpayee remaining the "care-taker prime minister". After the election in 1999, Vajpayee was sworn in as the Prime Minister for the third time. The coalition government that was formed lasted its full term of 5 years – the only non-Congress government to do so.

His premiership began at a decisive phase of national life and history: the Congress Party, dominant for over 40 years, appeared irreparably damaged, and fractious regional parties seemed to threaten the very stability of the nation by continually fracturing government work.

Nuclear Bomb Testing
In May 1998, India conducted five underground nuclear weapon tests in Pokhran, Rajasthan. The five tests shocked and surprised the world, especially considering that the government had been in power for only a month. Two weeks later, Pakistan responded with its own nuclear weapon tests, making it the newest nation with nuclear weapons.

While some nations, such as Russia and France, endorsed India's right to defensive nuclear power, others including USA, Canada, Japan, UK and the European Union imposed sanctions on the sale of military equipment and high-tech scientific information, resources and technology to India or Pakistan. In spite of the intense international criticism steady decline in foreign investment and trade, the nuclear tests were popular domestically and the Vajpayee's popularity and the BJP's prestige rose in response.

During his premiership, Vajpayee introduced many important economic and infrastructural reforms domestically including, encouraging the private sector and foreign investements; reducing governmental waste; encouraging research and development and privatizing of government owned corporations.

Lahore summit
In late 1998 and early 1999, Vajpayee began a push for a full-scale diplomatic peace process with Pakistan. With the historic inauguration of the Delhi-Lahore bus service in February 1999, Vajpayee initiated a new peace process aimed towards permanently resolving the Kashmir dispute and other territorial/nuclear/strategic conflicts with Pakistan. The resultant Lahore Declaration espoused a commitment to dialogue, expanded trade relations and the goal of denuclearized South Asia, and mutual friendship. This eased the tension created by the 1998 nuclear tests, not only within the two nations, but also in South Asia and the rest of the world.

The Vajpayee led government was faced with two crises in mid-1999. The AIADMK party had continually threatened to withdraw support from the coalition and national leaders repeatedly flew down from Delhi to Chennai to pacify the AIADMK chief J. Jayalalitha. Finally, in May 1999, the AIADMK did pull the plug on the NDA, and the Vajpayee administration was reduced to a caretaker status pending fresh elections scheduled for October.

Kargil Invasion
More importantly and soon after, it was revealed that thousands of terrorists and non-uniformed Pakistani soldiers (many with official identifications and Pakistan Army's custom weaponry) had infiltrated into the Kashmir Valley and captured control of border hilltops, unmanned border posts and were spreading out fast. The incursion was centered around the town of Kargil, but also included the Batalik and Akhnoor sectors and include artillery exchanges at the Siachen Glacier.

Indian army units were rushed into Kashmir in response. Operation Vijay (1999), launched in June 1999, saw the Indian military fighting thousands of terrorists and soldiers amidst heavy artillery shelling and while facing extremely cold weather, snow and treacherous terrain at the high altitude. Over 500 Indian soldiers died in the three-month long Kargil War, and it is estimated around 600 Pakistani militants and soldiers died as well. Pakistan's army shot down two air force jets. The mutilation of the body of pilot Ajay Ahuja inflamed public opinion in India. After both the United States and China refused to condone the incursion or threaten India to stop its military operations, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asked the militants to stop and withdraw to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Third Term: 1999-2004
On October 13, 1999, General Pervez Musharraf, chief of Pakistan's army and the chief planner of the Kargil conflict, seized power from the civilian, democratic government of Pakistan, and established his own dictatorship. On the same day, Atal Bihari Vajpayee took oath as Prime Minister of India for the third time. The BJP-led NDA had won 303 seats in the 543 seat Lok Sabha, a comfortable, stable majority, without the AIADMK.

A national crisis popped up in December 1999, when an Indian Airlines flight (IC 814 from Nepal) was hijacked by Pakistani terrorists and flown via Pakistan to Taliban ruled Afghanistan. The media and the relatives of the hijacked passengers built up tremendous pressure on the government to give in to the hijackers' demand to release certain Kashmiri terrorists, including high-ranking Maulana Masood Azhar, from prison. The government ultimately caved in and Jaswant Singh, the Indian External Affairs minister, flew with the terrorists to Afghanistan and exchanged them for the passengers. No explanation was given by the Indian government for the External Affairs minister personally escorting the terrorists. The crisis also worsened the relationship between India and Pakistan, as the hijacked plane was allowed to re-fuel in Lahore, and all the hijackers, except one, were Pakistanis.

"Padma Shri" Dr.NTR (Great Actor - Turned Great Politician) నందమూరి తారక రామా రావు

Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao(28 May 1923–18 January 1996), more commonly known as N.T. Rama Rao, NTR, Pedala Pennidhi by his fans, or Anna garu, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and politician.

He founded the Telugu Desam Party and served three times as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. His repertoire of films included mythological, social, and folk themes. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in the 1960s, recognising his contribution to Telugu cinema. After his film career, Rao became a political activist and party leader.

Born in Nimmakuru, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh; he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Andhra-Christian College in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. He later received an honorary doctorate from Andhra University.

Rao highlighted Andhra Pradesh's distinct cultural identity, distinguishing it from Madras State with which it was often associated.

Career as an actor
Rama Rao was referred to by fans as "Nata Ratna" and "Vishwa Vikhyatha Nata Sarvabhouma" (Emperor of Acting) in Telugu.

Though widely recognized for playing mythological characters, Rao is considered as one of the greatest actors in Telugu film, and in general in South Indian films. His portrayal of Lord Krishna in Maya Bazaar by B. Nagi Reddy, a producer at Vijaya Productions, was the turning point in his life. His portrayal of avatars of Vishnu, especially Rama, Ravana and Krishna; mesmerized an entire generation who saw the face of Rao when these gods were mentioned.

Rama Rao had a major contribution to what can be considered the golden age of Telugu film making, between 1950 and 1965. Analysts believe that the Telugu film industry produced some of the best mythological movies from India, while the Tamil and Hindi movie industry produced better socially-oriented films.

NTR was naturally talented and extremely disciplined about various aspects of acting like preparation, punctuality, and dialogue delivery. An important factor that made him a great actor was his ability to deliver extremely lengthy dialogues that were original verses from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata with a fervour and command unmatched by most of his contemporaries. In addition, he generally played multiple roles in the same movie, which increased the number of dialogues and hence the preparation required.

Rama Rao was very versatile. In Tamil Nadu, Shivaji Ganesan was much better known for his acting skill and talent and M. G. Ramachandran for his commercial movies. Rao struck a balance between both kinds of cinema. He used to perform roles in mythological movies like those only Shivaji could perform and even do commercial Janapadham (where the adventurous prince saves the damsel in distress) films which were Ramachandran's forte.

Rama Rao, in fact, played the role of Lord Krishna not only in Telugu movies, but also in Tamil and Kannada movies. While the megastars – Ramachandran, Shivaji Ganesan and Rajkumar vied for the roles of other Mahabharata heroes like Karna, Arjuna and Bhima, there was no denying that NTR would be the only one to play Lord Krishna. This is probably the greatest tribute to Rao's charismatic cine-genius.

One of his greatest janapadams was "Jagadekaveeruni katha" (the story of the universal hero) where he plays the role of Pratap, the prince of Ujjain. He dreams of celestial damsels as his wives, but on revealing the dream to his father, he is banished from the kingdom. The heroic prince then does the impossible - passing the various tests put to him, winning the celestial damsels and bringing them home to his kingdom. Another one of his janapadams was "Gulebakavali katha" (the story of Gulebakavali) where he plays the role of a prince who sets out to the heavens to bring the flower named "Gulebakavali" in order to cure his poisoned father, even wining Indra's daughter in the process.

As time passed by, Rama Rao stopped playing the role of the prince in films. Instead, he played the role of a poor yet heroic young man against the system in his kingdom. To the lakhs of the denizens in Andhra Pradesh, he became 'one of us' -- one who assures the poor that he is there to rescue them from the wicked traitors in the kingdom.

One criticism levelled by the upper-classes of society was that Rama Rao over-acted in his social roles (especially in comparison with his contemporary Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR)).

N.T.R played a large variety of mythological roles.
The most notable movies acted by Rama Rao in mythological characters are Maya Bazaar (Sri Krishna), Lava Kusa (Lord Rama), Sri Krishnaarjuna Yuddham (Sri Krishna), Bheeshma (Bheeshma), Bhookailas(Raavana), Nartanasala (Arjuna also as Bruhannala), Panadava-vanavsam (Bheema), Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (Lord Venkateswara), Maha Mantri Thimmarusu (Sri Krishna Devarayalu) and Dana Veera Sura Karna (Duryodhana, Sri Krishna, Karna)which created a record in telugu film industry,first film which has crossed one crore collection in telugu film industry. Apart from these he played a variety of roles in folklore characters like Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Pathala Bhairavi etc. On the social front he played roles in the movies Malliswari, Kanyasulkam, Gundamma Katha, Missamma, Raktha Sambandham, Ramudu Bheemudu, Devudu Chesina Manushulu, Adavi Ramudu, Vetagadu, Gajadonga, Driver Ramudu, Sardar Paparayudu, Kondaveeti Simham, Justice Chowdary, Bobbili Puli etc. He acted in over two hundred and eighty movies in the lead role.

He also donned the roles of an elderly teacher (Badi Pantulu) becoming a model to his pupils, as a prince and pauper (Raju-Peda), a down to earth servant dedicated to his master (Aatma Bhanduvu).

Politics
Rama Rao formed the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on 29 March 1982. While promoting a new film, he was asked a question by a person in the audience Ayya, memu mimmalni devudu laga adarincamu, kani meeru maku emi chesaru? meaning Sir, we have treated you like a God but what have you done for us?. He was so moved by this that he formed TDP, and with a victory in the immediate election, formed the government and ruled the state of Andhra Pradesh for a full term. He went into the elections with the slogan Atma Gauravam which meant "self-pride."

Like his films, the formation of the party and storming into the assembly was very dramatic. TDP came into power within nine months of its formation. Initially ridiculed by the Congress that state politics is not like movie acting among others, TDP was considered a no match for the Indian National Congress, with the local representatives unheard of, the complete burden rested on the shoulders of NTR, and true to his charisma he won the elections with a landslide majority. Among other reasons why he won the elections was no real alternative to the Congress, lack of development, unemployment etc. NTR himself contested elections from the constituency of Hindupur in Anantapur District and Gudivada in Krishna district.

During the first term as Chief Minister of AP, he got into the costumes of Swami Vivekananda and tried to govern the entire state solely on ideological terms which later proved to be disastrous. On Independence day, August 15, 1984, he was removed from office by the Governor of AP in view of a revolt by his aide and 2nd in command Nadendla Bhaskara Rao. Due to the public agitation in favour of Rao the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi dismissed the Nadendla Bhaskara Rao government in just one month and handed power back to NTR. NTR then dissolved the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly and asked for a fresh mandate in 1985.

He returned to power, among the most significant changes he made was to abolish the Legislative Council of the Andhra Pradesh citing the reason that it was a non-performing body which was just a burden on the state exchequer. NTR lost the subsequent elections held in 1989, but during the same period he gained valuable experience and had people like N. Chandrababu Naidu and Daggubati Venkateswara Rao (both sons-in-law) in his party.

Other contributions of NTR included the educational reforms he brought about in the state, where he overhauled the entire state's education syllabus for schools. He instituted statewide entrance examinations for all disciplines of higher education vis-à-vis Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, Law, and MBA to name a few. Students, based on the merit of their ranks obtained in these tests, could join any state college of their choice.

It is noteworthy that though he didn't know Hindi, yet gave a speech for forty-five minutes in a packed stadium in Haryana. He later revealed that he had memorized the speech phonetically. Devi Lal, a Deputy Prime Minister of India was shocked to learn this.

Even though he lost the 1989 elections, he shot to fame at the national level and was capable of uniting many regional parties. He formed the National Front with parties like Janata Dal , Bharateeya Janata Party, CPI and CPM as an alternative to the Congress.

NTR stormed back to power in 1994 when he promised he would offer rice at Rs. 2/kg and to make Andhra Pradesh an "Alcohol-Free" state. True to his word he kept his promises only to burden the state exchequer. He also faced serious problems within his party. N. Chandrababu Naidu led a sudden revolt against NTR and split the TDP into two. Naidu survived NTR's onslaught when NTR approached the public for an opinion. The break-up of the party and the drama that took place on the Tank-Bund near Hotel Viceroy (road connecting Hyderabad and Secunderabad, on the banks of Hussain Sagar) were probably the last significant events in NTR's life. Naidu became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on 29 August 1995.

The loss of power and the subsequent events can be summed up as the start of anti-climax in NTR's life with several people believing that his second wife Lakshmi Parvathi was responsible for happenings. NTR died soon after on 18 January 1996.

Personal life
NTR was survived by seven sons and four daughters. Among his sons Nandamuri Balakrishna is a popular film actor in Telugu. NTR's daughter Bhuvaneswari who is also the wife of N. Chandrababu Naidu is the Vice-Chairperson of Heritage Foods one of South India's largest dairy company and Purandareswari, is a Minister For Human Resources Development in the Indian Central Government. Daggubati Venkateswara Rao is a member of AP Assembly. He has several grand sons and daughters, the best known amongst them are NTR Jr.,Nandamuri Chaitanya, Nandamuri Kalyan Ram,Tarakaratna, Lokesh - Son of Bhuvaneswari and Chandrababu Naidu , Brahmani daughter of Balakrishna and Vasundhara.

NTR got married to Basavatarakam and Lakshmi Parvathi NTR has 7 sons and 4 daughters.

NTR'S sons are: Jayakrishna, Sai krishna, Harikrishna, Mohankrishna, Balakrishna, Ramakrishna, Jayashankarkrishna,

NTR's Daughters are: Lokehswari, Bhuvaneswari wife of Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Purandareswari wife of Daggubati Venkateswara Rao, Uma Maheswari.

Filmography — actor
* Major Chandrakanth (1994)
* Sreenatha Kavi Saarvabhouma (1993)
* Samrat Ashok (1992)
* Brahmarishi Vishwamitra (1991)
* Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra (1984)
* Chanda Sasanudu (1983)
* Simham Navindi (1983)
* Anuraga Devatha (1982)
* Bobbili Puli (1982)
* Justice Chowdary (1982)
* Kaliyuga Ramudu (1982)
* Naa Desam (1982)
* Vayyari Bhamulu Vagalamari Bhartulu (1982)
* Tirugu Leni Manishi (1981)
* Kondaveeti Simham (1981)
* Satyam Shivam (1981)
* Aatagadu (1980)

* Circus Ramudu (1980)
* Sardar Papa Rayudu (1980)
* Vishwa Roopam (1981)
* Driver Ramudu (1978)
* Shrimad Virata Parvam (1979)
* Shri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam (1979)

* Vetagadu (1979)
* Yugandhar (1979)
* Saleem Anarkali (1978)
* KD No 1 (1978)
* Shri Rama Pattabhishekham (1978)
* Simha Baludu (1978)
* Adavi Ramudu (1977)
* Chanakya Chandragupta (1977)

* Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977)
* Manushulanta Okkate (1976)
* Yamagola (1978)
* Yeduruleni Manishi (1976)
* Ammayi Pelli (1974)
* Deeksha (1974)
* Manushullo Devudu (1974)
* Nippulanti Manishi (1974)
* Sree Rama Anjaneya Yuddham (1974)
* Tatamma Kala (1974)
* Deshoddharakulu (1973)
* Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973)
* Palletoori Chinnodu (1973)
* Aradhana (1972)
* Badi Panthulu (1972)
* Chinnanaati Snehithulu (1971)
* Jeevitha Chakram (1971)
* Pethamdaarlu (1971)

* Rajakota Rahasyam (1971)
* Shri Krishna Satya (1971)
* Alibaba 40 Dongalu (1970)
* Maathru Devatha (1970)
* Nirdoshi (1970)
* Shri Krishna Vijayam (1970)
* Talla Pellamma (1970)
* Bhale Thammudu (1969)
* Ekaveera (1969)
* Gopaludu Bhoopaludu (1969)
* Katha Nayakudu (1969)
* Nindu Hridayalu (1969)
* Bagdad Gajadonga (1968)
* Bhagyachakram (1968)
* Kalisochchina Adrushtam (1968)
* Niluvu Dopidi (1968)
* Nindu Samsaram (1968)
* Ninne Pelladuta (1968)
* Umachandi Gauri Shankarula Katha (1968)
* Varakatnam (1968)
* Kanchukota (1967)
* Aada Paduchu (1967)

* Satyam Apoorva Piravaigal (1967)
* Bhama Vijayam (1967)
* Shri Krishnavataram (1967)
* Ummadi Kutumbam (1967)
* Adugu Jaadalu (1966)
* Palnati Yudham (1966)
* Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha (1966)
* Shri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966)
* Shri Krishna Tulabharam (1966)
* Chitti Chellelu (1965)
* CID (1Devatha]] (1965965)

* Gudi Gantalu (1965)
* Naadi Aada Janme (1965)
* Satya Harishchandra (1965)
* Todu Needa (1965)
* Babruvahana (1964)
* Bobbili Yudham (1964)
* Daagudumootalu (1964)
* Devatha (1964)
* Manchi Manishi (1964)
* Ramadasu (1964)
* Ramudu Bheemudu (1964)
* Varasatwam (1964)
* Vivaha Bandham (1964)
* Manchi Chedu (1963)
* Narthanasala (1963)
* Tirupathamma Katha (1963)
* Lakshadhikari (1963)
* Bandipotu (1963)
* Paruvu Prathishta (1963)
* Lava Kusha (1963)
* Savati Koduku (1963)
* Valmiki (1963)
* Pempudu Kuthuru (1963)
* Irugu - Porugu (1963)
* Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham (1963)
* Apta Mithrulu (1963)
* Karna (1963)

* Karnan (1963)
* Atma Bandhuvu (1962)
* Raktha Sambandham (1962)
* Swarnamanjari (1962)
* Mahamantri Timmarasu(1962)
* Gundamma Katha (1962)
* Dakshayagnam (1962)
* Bhishma (1962)
* Tiger Ramudu (1962)
* Gaali Medalu (1962)
* Gulebakavali Katha (1962)
* Sri Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha (1962)
* Taxi Ramudu (1961)
* Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham (1961)
* Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961)
* Santa (1961)
* Pendli Pilupu (1961)
* Sati Sulochana (1961)
* Intiki Deepam Illalu (1961)
* Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam (1961)
* Pandava Vanavasam (1961)
* Bhatti Vikramarka (1960)

* Deepavali (1960)
* Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam (1960)
* Srinivasa Vimala (1960)
* Balangamma (1959)
* Raja Makutam (1959)
* Rechukka Pragatichukka (1959)
* Sabhash Ramudu aka Shabash Ramudu (1959 )
* Sri Panduranga Mahatyam (1959)
* Raja Nandini (1958)
* Bhookailas (1958)
* Bhakti Mahima (1958)
* Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1958)
* Raja Rao Intiguttu (1958)
* Maya Bazaar (1957)

* Bhagya Rekha (1957)
* Maya Bazaar (1957)
* Nala Damayanti (1957)
* Panduranga Mahatyam (1957)
* Pundarikudu Sarangadhara (1957)
* Vinayaka Chaviti (1957)
* Chiranjeevulu (1956)
* Tenali Ramakrishna (1956)
* Charana Daasi (1956)
* Chintamani (1956)
* Bilwamangal Jayam Manade (1956)
* Marmaveeran (1956)
* Penki Pellam (1956)
* Sontha Ooru (1956)
* Jayasimha aka Jaisingh (1955)
* Kanyasulkam (1955)
* Missamma (1955)
* Rani Ratnaprabha (1955)
* Santosham(1955)
* Parivartana (1954)
* Aggi Ramudu (1954)
* Raju-Peda (1954)
* Rechukka (1954)

* Todu Dongalu (1954)
* Vaddante Dabbu (1954)
* Chandraharam (1954)
* Pitchi Pullaiah (1953)
* Ammalakkalu (1953)
* Chandirani (1953)
* Marumagal (1953)
* Sangham (1953)
* Daasi (1952)
* Palletooru (1952)
* Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952)
* Tingu Ranga (1952)
* Malliswari (1951)
* Patala Bhairavi (1951)
* Navvite Navaratnalu (1951)
* Maya Rambha (1950)
* Palletoori Pilla (1950)
* Shavukaru (1950)
* Samsaram (1950)
* Mana Desam (1949)

Filmography — director
* Samrat Ashok (1992)
* Brahmarishi Vishwamitra (1991)
* Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra (1984)
* Chanda Sasanudu (1983)
* Shrimad Virata Parvam (1979)

* Shri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam (1979)
* Akbar Saleem Anarkali (1978)
* Shri Rama Pattabhishekham (1978)
* Chanakya Chandragupta (1977)
* Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977)
* Tatamma Kala (1974)
* Kodalu diddina Kapuram] (1973)
* Talla Pellamma (1970)
* Varakatnam (1968)
* Shri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966)
* Gulebakavali Katha (1962)
* Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam (1961)

INDIAN CULTURE

The culture of India is one of the oldest cultures known to humanity. In modern India, there is remarkable cultural diversity throughout the country. The South, North, and Northeast have their own distinct cultures and almost every state has carved out its own cultural niche.

History
The by far most, total endearing aspects of Indian art and architecture prior to colonization has been the strong impact of religious and folk idioms and folk art on courtly art. Although folk art received little encouragement during the period of colonization, independence brought forward a renewed interest in folk paintings.

Traditions
Indians join their hands (palms together) and bow slightly in front of the other person, and say Namaste (Sanskrit for "I bow unto you" or "I salute the divine in thee") or Namaskar (derived from Sanskrit for "salutations") or variants in other Indian languages. This custom comes from a Hindu understanding that each person is inherently divine, and for this reason many Indians will gently touch their hands to their forehead and then to their heart, indicating the third eye and heart.

Festivals in India are characterized by colour, gaiety, enthusiasm, prayers and rituals. The majority are from the Hindu tradition, one of the most popular festivals being Diwali/Deepavali; the legends associated with it are drawn from the Hindu epic Ramayana and the Devi Mahatmya, depending on the region. Other popular Hindu festivals include Navaratri/Dasara (which is held in celebration of the Hindu goddess Durga), the final and ninth day of which culminates in a massive Durga Puja; it is most popular in West Bengal), Pongal/Sankranti (which is held as a thanksgiving for the harvest to the elements and cattle), Ganesh Chaturthi (a fourteen-day festival dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesh and is most popular in Maharashtra and Ugadi/Gudi Padva).

However, as India is home to many more religions viz. Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, Judaism, etc. festivals in India include festivities of these faiths as well.

Indian fashion
Indian fashion is rich in tradition, vibrant in colors and truly beautiful designs. Bold colors and metallics created by the inventive drapes of these textiles catch the imagination like no other contemporary clothing.

Some Indian dress designers combine Western trends with Indian touch, creating garments which are truly outstanding.

Drama and theatre
Indian drama and theatre is perhaps as old as its music and dance. The tradition of folk theatre is alive in nearly all the linguistic regions of the country. In addition, there is a rich tradition of puppet theatre in rural India. Bollywood is a place to be for the drama lovers

Literature
The earliest literary traditions were mostly oral and were later transcribed. Most of these spring from Hindu tradition and are represented by sacred works like the Vedas, the epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Sangam literature from Tamil Nadu represents some of India's oldest secular traditions. Indian writers in modern times, like Arundhati Roy, Vikram Seth, Khushwant Singh have been the cynosure of wide acclaim, both in Indian languages and English.

Dance
India offers a number of classical dance forms, each of which can be traced to different parts of the country. Each form represents the culture and ethos of a particular region or a group of people. The seven main styles are Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Manipuri and Kathakali.

There are many types of dance in India, from those which are deeply religious in content, often based on old Vedic or Hindu folk traditions, to those which are danced on lighter occasions.

Music
The music of India includes multiples varieties of folk, popular, pop, and classical music. India's classical music tradition, including Carnatic and Hindustani music, has a history spanning millenia and, developed over several eras, remains fundamental to the lives of Indians today as sources of religious inspiration, cultural expression and pure entertainment. India is made up of several dozen ethnic groups, speaking their own languages and dialects. Alongside distinctly subcontinental forms there are major influences from Persian, Arab, and British music. Indian genres like filmi and bhangra have become popular throughout the United Kingdom, South and East Asia, and around the world.

Indian pop stars now sell records in many countries, while world music fans listen to the roots music of India's diverse nations. American soul, rock and hip hop music have also made a large impact, primarily on Indian pop and filmi music.

Art
The vast scope of the art of India intertwines with the cultural history, religions and philosophies which place art production and patronage in social and cultural contexts.

Indian art can be classified into specific periods each reflecting certain religious, political and cultural developments.

* Hinduism and Buddhism of the ancient period (300 BC- 1700 AD)
* Islamic ascendancy (712-1757 AD)
* The colonial period (1757-1947)
* Independence and the postcolonial period (Post-1947)
* Modern and Postmodern art in India

Each period is unique in its art, literature and architecture. Indian art is constantly challenged as it rises to the peak of achieving the ideals of one philosophy in a visual form, then begins anew for another. This challenge and revolution in thought provided, and still provides, Indian artists with reasons for innovation and creation, and the process of visualizing abstract ideas and the culture of the land.

Each religion and philosophical system provided its own nuances, vast metaphors and similes, rich associations, wild imaginations, humanization of gods and celestial beings, characterization of people, the single purpose and ideal of life to be interpreted in art

Painting
Indian painting is an old tradition, with ancient texts outlining theories of color and anecdotal accounts suggesting that it was common for households to paint their doorways or indoor rooms where guests resided.

Cave paintings from Ajanta, Bagh and Sittanvasal and temple paintings testify to a love of naturalism and God. Most rock art in India is Hindu or Buddhist.

A freshly made flour design (Rangoli) everyday is still a common sight outside the doorstep of many (mostly South Indian) Indian homes.

Jahangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, has on display several good Indian paintings.

Movies
Bollywood is the informal name given to the popular Mumbai-based film industry in India. Bollywood and the other major cinematic hubs (Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu) constitute the broader Indian film industry, whose output is considered to be the largest in the world in terms of number of films produced and, possibly, number of tickets sold.

Bollywood films are usually musicals. Few movies are made without at least one song-and-dance number. Indian audiences expect full value for their money; they want songs and dances, love interest, comedy and dare-devil thrills, all mixed up in a three hour long extravaganza with intermission. Such movies are called masala movies, after the Indian spice mixture masala. Like masala, these movies are a mixture of many things. Plots tend to be melodramatic. They frequently employ formulaic ingredients such as star-crossed lovers and angry parents, corrupt politicians, kidnappers, conniving villains, courtesans with hearts of gold, long-lost relatives and siblings separated by fate, dramatic reversals of fortune, and convenient coincidences, and even movies with tri polar changes that can turn a movie and its plot upside down.

Recreation and sports
In the area of recreation and sports India had evolved a number of games. One would be surprised to know today that games like, Chess, Snakes and Ladders, Playing cards, Polo, the martial art Kung-fu had originated as a sport in India and it was from here that these games were transmitted to foreign countries, where they were further modernized. Additionally, a few games introduced during the British Raj have grown quite popular in India, field hockey and especially cricket. Although field hockey is India's official national sport, cricket is by far the most popular sport not only in India, but the entire subcontinent, thriving recreationally and professionally. Cricket has even been used recently as a forum for diplomatic relations between India and long-standing rival, Pakistan. The two nations' cricket teams face off annually and such contests are quite impassioned on both sides.

Cuisine
The earliest Indians, the Harappans, probably ate mainly wheat and rice and lentils, and occasionally cows, pigs, sheep, and goats, and chicken. Rice and chicken seem to have come from Thailand, and wheat and sheep from West Asia. Some of the wheat was made into stews or soups, and some into flat breads called chapatis. The arrival of the Aryans does not seem to have changed Indian eating habits.

But by around 300 BC, under the Mauryans, a lot of Hindus felt that animal sacrifices added to your karma and kept you from getting free of the wheel of reincarnation. Animal sacrifices became less popular, and although people didn’t give up eating meat entirely, they ate much less of it. Many people became vegetarians.

In the Gupta period, around 650 AD, Hindus began to worship a Mother Goddess. Cows were sacred to her, and so Hindus stopped eating beef.

And then around 1100 AD, with the Islamic conquests in northern India, most people in India stopped eating pork as well, because it is forbidden by the Koran.

People could still eat sheep or goats or chicken, but most of the people in India became vegetarians, and only ate meat very rarely or not at all. The vegetarian food that Indians ate was mainly wheat flatbreads or a kind of flatbread made out of chickpeas, with a spicy vegetarian sauce, and yogurt. Or people ate rice, with yogurt and vegetables. A lot of spicy peppers grew in India.

Festivals of INDIA

Indian Festivals celebrated by varied cultures and through their special rituals add to the colours of Indian Heritage. Some festivals welcome the seasons of the year, the harvest, the rains, or the full moon. Others celebrate religious occasions, the birthdays of divine beings, saints, and gurus (revered teachers), or the advent of the New Year. A number of these festivals are common to most parts of India. However, they may be called by different names in various parts of the country or may be celebrated in a different fashion.

Many festivals celebrate the various harvests; commemorate great historical figures and events, while many express devotion to the deities of different religions.

Every celebration centres around the rituals of prayer, seeking blessings, exchanging goodwill, decorating houses, wearing new cloths, music, dance and feasting.

In India every region and every religion has something to celebrate. The festivals reflect the vigour and life-style of its people. Vibrant colours, music and festivity make the country come alive throughout the year.

The emphasis laid on the different festivals differs in different parts of the country. For instance, Navaratri is celebrated with maximum fervour in West Bengal as compared to that in other parts of the country. Holi is celebrated with gusto in the north, and although it is also observed in the western and eastern parts of India, in the south it is almost unknown. There are also a few regional festivals like Pongal in Tamil Nadu; Onam in Kerala and the various other temple festivals devoted to the specific patron Gods and Goddesses of the temples, which are celebrated exclusively in those areas, which may be limited to one or a few villages. This galaxy of festivals that exist do contribute in inter-spicing Indian life with gaiety and colour as also in giving the country the distinction of having the maximum number of holidays.

The portal for Festivals of India, it is the stage drafted to endow the browser with rituals, traditions, legends held behind different festivals, vis-à-vis providing an interactive media to seek the suggestions, guidance and knowledge of our viewers. The portal has a month-wise listing of different festivals celebrated throughout India with great enthusiasm.

~ ~Dussehra~ ~

YOGA

Revered Swami Ramdevji Maharaj, a celibate since childhood, is well versed in Sanskrit Grammar, Ayurved and Vedic Philosophy. A strong Proponent of Indian cultural values, his services in the field of cow-breeding, research in the field of AYURVED and his practical approach of Yog has won him several thousands of admirers throughout India and made him a living symbol of Indian culture.


His detachment to worldly happiness and devotion to social service has made him a phenomenal character in the saintly world. Revered Swami Shankerdevji Maharaj got him initiated in the ascetic order on the sacred banks of River Ganga.

He has taught Ashtadhyayee, Mahabhashya, Upnishads alongwith six systems of Indian Philosophy in a couple of Gurukuls (traditional Indian systems of education). Besides, during his travels in the Himalayan mountains, he performed severe austerities in the caves of Gangotri for the realisation of SELF and acquired several uncommon capabilities.

With the blessings of Revered Swami Shankerdevji Maharaj, he, in assocition with his learned companions, Acharaya Balkrishan Ji Maharaj, a great scholar and famous Ayurvedic physician & others established Divya Yog Mandir (Trust) in 1995 at Kankhal, Hardwar, Uttaranchal, India.

He, while in the sate of Sadhna, has been guiding several service projects of medical, spiritual and educational pursuits through this Trust since then. Revered Swami Ji Maharaj, who have unfurled the flag of Yog on top, cures about two lac patients per month with his spiritual energy in his Yog Camps.

Revered Swami Ram Dev Ji Maharaj with his extraordinary talent, great patriotism and deep leanings towards our ancient culture and tradition is establishing Patanjali Yogpeeth, an Institution for social and scientific research and treatment in Yog, Spiritualism, and Ayurved through which more than twenty lac patients of various ailments would derive benefit every year.

He has a golden dream of disease free world. This, he plans to achieve with the help of ancient science of Yog, which he feels will bring peace and happiness to mankind and will lead to the unethical business of weapons and allopathic medicines coming to an end.

Revered Swamiji's is editing the pious work of organising the disintegrated Indian society on caste, creed, religion, region and sex basis to establish India as a superpower.

He considers yeoman service as real Dharm (religion). He envisages India as Vishwa Guru (Teacher of the World) which can become true only if every citizen realises his duties and responsibilities towards the nation. May science of Yog expand virtues of consciousness, morality and brotherhood of human beings such that everyone sees his own consciousness in all creatures and spreads fraternity, friendship and global brotherhood.

It is no less than a divine wonder to see Revered Swami Ji Maharaj in the hearts of millions of people not only of our country but also the world. He is fully committed for the reestablishment of scientific techniques, pious powers and moral values in our society. Millions of people are offering their services and wealth at the altar of Patanjali Yogpeeth (Trust) & University of Patanjali established by him to fulfill his resolution.

The real place of service is the human body for Revered Swami Ramdevji Maharaj, for he pronounces, "my God lives in a man, as 'the temple in shape of man' is built by All Mighty Himself". The service of fellow beings, in addition to Atamsadhna (self control) and Brahamaradhna (meditation) is his worship.

He considers moral acts of love and affection for human beings a true worship of Creator. Revered Swami Ji Maharaj, an apostle of Vashudhav Kutambkam (World as the Whole Family) proves it true by accepting and practicing the world as his house and every citizen as his family member.