Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to right sidebar Skip to footer

Tag: #IndianHeritage

10-Year-Old Bharatanatyam Dancer Ananya Mesmerizes Hyderabad with ‘Navaratnam’ Performance

Hyderabad: A remarkable evening celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage unfolded at Ravindra Bharati, where 10-year-old Bharatanatyam prodigy S.P. Ananya, based in Germany, captivated audiences with her Telangana debut performance, “Navaratnam.”

The unique Bharatanatyam production explored the spiritual significance, symbolism, and mythology of the nine sacred gemstones (Navaratnas) and their association with the Navagrahas, beautifully blending classical dance, storytelling, music, and Indian tradition into an unforgettable cultural experience.

A disciple of Guru Veenashri Vijaykumar Alange, Ananya showcased exceptional grace, expressive abhinaya, rhythmic footwork, and remarkable stage presence far beyond her years. Through each performance, she narrated the origin, colors, energies, and cultural importance of gemstones including Ruby, Pearl, Emerald, Yellow Sapphire (Topaz), Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gomedhika, Vaidurya (Cat’s Eye), and Vidruma (Coral), highlighting their spiritual and astrological significance.

Adding to the evening’s grandeur was a special violin recital titled “Carnatic Re-imagined” by Ananya’s father, S.P. Subrahmanyam. The performance featured a soulful Ganapati Prarthana in Hamsadhwani, an improvisational presentation in Arabhi, and concluded with a moving tribute to legendary violin maestro Dr. L. Subramaniam, inspired by the iconic Surabhi television theme.

The family has a distant connection to legendary playback singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, while Ananya’s brother, S.P. Shankar, has also earned recognition as a two-time Young Scientist Award recipient, reflecting the family’s dedication to excellence in both arts and academics.

Speaking about the production, Ananya’s mother Divya Mangala, herself a former classical dancer, said the presentation was designed to inspire younger generations and global audiences to appreciate India’s timeless cultural traditions. By combining mythology, astrology, Carnatic music, and Bharatanatyam, Navaratnam offers a meaningful journey into India’s spiritual and artistic heritage.

Having travelled from Germany specifically for this performance, Ananya’s Telangana debut highlights the growing enthusiasm among the Indian diaspora to preserve, learn, and showcase India’s classical arts on international platforms.

The event concluded with heartfelt appreciation from the organizers, who thanked art lovers, students, families, and cultural organizations for supporting an evening dedicated to celebrating India’s classical dance, music, and enduring cultural legacy.

Hyderabad’s Rajasekhar Tummala Wins International Recognition for Showcasing India’s Medicinal Plant Heritage Through Stamps

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based conservation ecologist and philatelist Rajasekhar Tummala has brought global recognition to India by earning a Silver-Bronze Medal at the prestigious Boston 2026 World Philatelic Exhibition for his book, Medicinal Plants on Indian Stamps.

A second-generation philatelist, Tummala inherited his love for stamp collecting from his late father, Dr. Surya Prakash Tummala. What began as a childhood hobby has evolved into an internationally acclaimed effort to preserve and promote India’s rich medicinal plant heritage through the fascinating world of philately.

His award-winning publication documents the medicinal significance, historical importance, and conservation value of plants featured on Indian postage stamps from the pre-Independence era to the present day. The book highlights how postage stamps can serve as powerful educational tools, creating awareness about biodiversity and the importance of protecting native medicinal plant species.

The Boston 2026 World Philatelic Exhibition, held under the patronage of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP), is one of the world’s most prestigious philatelic events, conducted only once every decade. Entries are evaluated based on originality, research, documentation, and presentation, making Tummala’s international recognition a remarkable achievement for Hyderabad and India.

With academic qualifications in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Medicinal Botany, Environmental Management, Business Development, and Intellectual Property Rights, Tummala has dedicated his career to biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and medicinal plant research. He has contributed to several national and international conservation initiatives and has worked extensively on threatened plant species.

His research explores not only modern Indian stamps but also rare issues from the French and Portuguese colonial periods, revealing the historical significance of medicinal plants such as Kutaja, Lotus, and several indigenous species represented through philately.

The book also carries a strong conservation message by highlighting endangered medicinal plants including Guggul (Commiphora wightii), Red Sanders, Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina), Brahma Kamal, and Rhododendron, emphasizing the urgent need to protect India’s native biodiversity.

Looking ahead, Tummala plans to document nearly 140 medicinal plants featured on postage stamps, explaining their pharmacological importance, traditional uses, and conservation status. He believes native species such as Neem, Jamun, Indian Laburnum (Cassia fistula), Wild Mango, and Sacred Ashoka should be widely planted to support birds, pollinators, and urban biodiversity.

India Post has consistently celebrated the country’s botanical heritage through commemorative stamp series, including the 2025 Traditional Medicine Set featuring Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Mandukparni, Pippali, and Guduchi, along with earlier releases honoring Tulsi, Brahmi, Amla, and Guggulu.

Rajasekhar Tummala’s remarkable achievement demonstrates how a lifelong passion for philately can contribute meaningfully to environmental education, biodiversity conservation, and the preservation of India’s traditional medicinal knowledge, inspiring future generations to appreciate both nature and history.

Telangana tourism’s heritage walk aims to spotlight Hyderabad’s cultural legacy

The Telangana Department of Tourism organized a special heritage walk on Saturday, tracing the historic stretch from the iconic Charminar to the magnificent Chowmahalla Palace. The walk drew participation from 60 women delegates of the Global Shapers Community, highlighting Hyderabad’s rich cultural legacy on an international stage.

A Walk Through History

The heritage walk covered one of Hyderabad’s most historically significant corridors, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the city’s architectural grandeur and storied past.

LandmarkSignificance
CharminarIconic 16th-century monument and symbol of Hyderabad
Chowmahalla PalaceFormer seat of the Nizams, known for its stunning courtyard and clock tower

International & National Participation

The delegates represented a diverse mix of global and Indian cities:

🌍 International Hubs:

CountryCity
United StatesChicago
MaldivesMalé
BhutanThimphu
Sri LankaKandy

🇮🇳 Indian Cities:

RegionCities
North/WestAjmer, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune
SouthBengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Coimbatore, Puducherry
East/CentralAmaravati

Why This Heritage Walk Matters

The initiative by Telangana Tourism serves multiple purposes:

  • ✅ Showcasing Hyderabad’s cultural legacy to international visitors
  • ✅ Promoting heritage tourism as a key driver of economic growth
  • ✅ Building global connections through platforms like the Global Shapers Community
  • ✅ Encouraging local participation in preserving historical landmarks

The Global Shapers Community Connection

The Global Shapers Community is an initiative of the World Economic Forum, comprising young leaders dedicated to driving positive change in their communities. The participation of delegates from multiple countries underscores Hyderabad’s growing reputation as a destination for cultural and diplomatic exchanges.

A Growing Trend: Heritage Walks in Hyderabad

Telangana Tourism has been actively promoting heritage walks across the city, including routes covering:

Walk RouteHighlights
Charminar to ChowmahallaQutb Shahi and Nizam architecture
Secunderabad CantonmentColonial-era buildings
Purana Pul areaOld bridges and markets

These walks are designed to educate both residents and tourists about the city’s layered history, from the Qutb Shahi dynasty to the Asaf Jahi Nizams and beyond.

What Participants Said

While specific quotes were not available in the source, delegates reportedly expressed appreciation for the well-preserved heritage and the opportunity to experience Hyderabad’s culture firsthand. The walk concluded with a sense of shared admiration for the city’s ability to blend tradition with modernity.

Looking Ahead

Telangana Tourism plans to organize more such heritage walks, targeting both domestic and international travelers. The department is also working on:

🏛️ Restoration projects for key heritage sites

🚶 Self-guided walking tour maps

📱 Mobile apps with audio guides