You would find hardly any Indian who has not heard the name of N T Rama Rao. NTR as he is known as all across the country was a great actor. He ruled Telugu Cinema till his retirement.
NTR as an actor:- As an actor NTR was unparalleled. He did a variety of roles from mythological roles to action to social issues concerning the society. However when it comes to his portrayal of mythological roles, no Indian actor can even come close to matching him. When you see any Indian actor in the role of God, we know that the particular actor is wearing a costume and he is not really God, but with NTR it is different. With NTR you get the impression you are actually watching Lord Krishna or Lord Rama. For a moment you think you are seeing God on screen. That explains how well he fits into mythological roles. There was a time when villagers used to think NTR was God, and used to keep his screen photographs of Lord Krishna in their houses and worship them.
NTR as a politician in State politics:- N T Rama timed his political entry very well. He retired at the peak of his career as the Superstar of Telugu Cinema. He found a party called Telugu Desam in 1982. Within 9 months the party came to power which is a world record. Congress which ruled the state for 35 years were routed in elections in what was the biggest ever surprise in history of Indian politics. If that was not enough Telugu Desam led by NTR in 1984 had the distinction of being the second single largest party in 1984 Lok Sabha elections. The magnitude of achievement can be gauged from the fact that a regional party finished with the 2nd highest number of seats in the country.
NTR as a national leader:- NTR was instrumental in bringing all non congress parties together. He had this unique leadership skills wherein he was able to bring forth a assortment of smaller parties and make it a single powerful unit. The Unit, then was called as National Front. National Front chairpersoned by NTR came to power in 1989. While National Front did not last long in power, NTRs inspiration carried parties like United Front, BJP & Third Front to power at various points of times. The credit for any party other than the Congress coming to power at national level should go to NTR for it was he who took the initiative.
N T Rama Rao was very well known for doing charity very early during his film career and as a politician had the reputation of not having a single corruption case against him.
While NTR is no more, his legacy still lives on. No wonder when a popular national news channel conducted a nationwide poll to find out who is the most popular Andhrite, NTR who died more than a decade ago, was the winner by a long way.
Regards
Satish
Charles Spencer Chaplin, popularly known as Charlie Chaplin, was born in the year 1889 in London. Both his parents being music hall entertainers, he was introduced into the world of film and music in childhood itself. His first stage appearance was at a tender age of five, for singing a song in the place of his mother.
In 1908, Chaplin joined the troupe of Fred Karno, who was a famous theatre personality at that time. Once, the troupe went to give a performance and Chaplin, being a part of the troupe, went along with them. There, he got work as a studio boy at Keystone. From then on, there was no looking backward; he went on to make his own movies.
His first film was ‘Making a Living’ which was released in the year 1914. Though it was not a big success, it gave a good foundation to his second film ‘Kid Auto Races at Venice’. In this film, he made his appearance with baggy pants, a tiny jacket, a bamboo cane, a bowler hat , and a tooth- brush moustache. This became his trade-mark costume in most of the subsequent movies which he wrote, directed, produced and starred in. In 1915, the film ‘The Tramp’ was released; this gained him the nick name of The Little Tramp and he bacame a well-known comedian.
In the following year, 1918, he opened his own film studio in Los Angeles and named it “Chaplin Studios”. The first full length movie covering six reels was ‘The Kid’, in which the tramp (Chaplin) raises an orphaned child. This was released in 1920. Chaplin received a National Award for his film -‘The Circus’- which was produced in 1928.
Chaplin played a dual role in the film ‘The Great Dictator’ which was released in 1940. This satirical film on Nazi Germany was nominated for five Oscars and also got him the best actor award. This is the one of the best known and his first talkie film, in which he leaves behind the Tramp character and portrays seriousness. In 1952 came ‘Limelight’, which is another popular talkie film and which won the Oscar award for the best music.
In spite of his huge success in the cinema industry, it is sad that his personal life was filled with scandals and controversies. Two such scandals happened when:
-His loyalty to England was questioned due to his frequent trips to America
-He briefly dated a lady by name of Joan Barry.
Charlie Chaplin authored a book entitled My autobiography and also a pictorial autobiography named My life in Pictures. Both were published in the year 1974.
His last appearance as an actor was in the film ‘A King in New York’ released in 1957. The last film on which Charlie Chaplin worked was in 1976 when he scored the music for the film ‘A Woman of Paris’, which had been released way back in 1923.
Chaplin is also known for his witty quotes. One of his famous quote is “All I need to make a comedy is a park, a policeman and a pretty girl”.
Charlie Chaplin breathed his last in his sleep. It was the year 1977 and the world had lost one of its famous comedians.
The family in our neighborhood comes from different parts f India. They celebrate many festivals. We celebrate these festivals together.
*Holi festival
Holi is a spring festival. It is celebrated by the Hindus. It is the festival of colors. People in the neighborhood gather round bonfires on everything before Holi. This marks the burning of Holika, the evil.
Next day, the young and the old splash colored water on each other. They also apply Gulal of different colors on each other’s faces.
People embrace and wish each other ``Happy Holi’’. It is a festival of Joy. Gujiya made of Khoya and dry fruits are prepared on Holi.
*Pongal festival
Pongal is the most important festival of Tamil Nadu, south India. It is celebrated for three days in the month of January, when rice is harvested. During Pongal, the people worship rain, sun and cattle. Pongal is also known as the harvest festival.
Festival of the First day
On the first day of the festival, lord Indra-the god of rain- is worshipped. Family feasts are held. This day is known as Bhogi Pongal.
Festival of the second day
On the second day of the festival, the sun-god is worshipped. Rice is cooked with milk and sugar. This is called Pongal and offered to the sun-god. This day knows as Surya Pongal.
Festival of the third day
On the third day of the festival, the cow is worshipped; cows are decorated with garland and fed with Pongal cakes. This day is known as Mattu Pongal. Community feasts are held at night.
*Onam festival
Onam is the most colorful festival of Kerala, south India. Like Pongal, this is also a harvest festival. Onam is celebrated for four days in the month of August or September. Houses are cleaned and decorated. A clay figure s installed in the courtyard. It is decorated with different color flowers. This decoration is called Attappoo.
Boat race competitions
Boat races are the main attraction of this festival. The boats are decorated with flags and silk umbrellas. These boats are called snake-boats.
Elephants group
Decorated elephants are taken out in processions. Gifts exchanged with relatives and friends. Fireworks mark the end of the Onam festival.
Every school celebrates some special days. The special days of national importance are celebrated as national festivals. On these days we remember our great leaders and great national events.
*15 August
That day is the most important day for every India. Indian became free the British Rule on 15th August 1947. We became free and independent on this dat. we, therefore, celebrate it as Independence Day. On this day, in schools and offices, the national flag is hoisted and children sing patriotic sons.
*26th January
This day is celebrated as republic day. Our country had become a republic on 26th January 1950. A parade is held in New Delhi, in every state capital, city and town. Children present colorful drills, dance and participate in the parade.
*2nd October
2nd October is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation, was born on this day 1869 in Porbuder at Gujarat. Prayer meetings are held all over the country. Children do Shramdan in the school and people do cleanliness work in their locality.
The main, leaders and common people visit Ra Ghat and offer flowers. An all religion prayer is held. The favorite hymn of Gandhi is sung.
*5th September
Dr. Sarvepally Radhakrishnan, the president of India was a great teacher. He was born on 5th September in Tamil Nadu state, south India. This day is, therefore, celebrated as teachers’ day in every school. Students celebrate this day by presenting cultural programs. They give gifts to their teachers.
*14th November
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minster of our country loved children very much, his liking flower red rose. The children also him and called him `Chacha Nehru’. He was born on 14th November. This day is, therefore, celebrated as children’s day. Children play games and have lot of fun on this day.
Page 23 of 25