The Sesquicentennial Begins

Pandit Narayana Das' 149th birth anniversary (August 31, 2013) marks the beginning of his sesquicentennial year. AP Government's Department of Culture and Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams are orgainising year-long celebrations. 

The TTD's celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary began with a week-long seminar in Tirupathi on September 1, held in the Mahati Auditorium. Each day of the seminar was marked by a paper presentation on one aspect of Pandit Narayana Das' oeuvre and performance of a Hari Katha written by him. 

On September 4 (Pandit Narayana Das' birth day as per Telugu calendar), famous film director Sri K. Viswanath unveiled a statue of the great man in the premises of Sri Venkateswar Music and Dance College. 

The poster outside Mahati Auditorium, Tirupathi 

The poster outside Mahati Auditorium, Tirupathi

The venue of the seminar

The venue of the seminar

The venue of the seminar

Pandit Narayana Das' statue ready for inauguration

K Viswanath walking in to unveil the statue

Pandit Narayana Das' statue

K Viswanath speaking after unveiling the statue.
M G Gopal, Executive Offiver, TTD also seen in this picture. 

K Viswanath speaking after unveiling the statue

M G Gopal, Executive Officer, TTD addressing the media.
Also seen in the picture: K Viswanath (L).

K Viswanath speaking after unveiling the statue

K Viswanath addressing media after unveiling the statue

M V Simhachala Sastry addressing invitees after statue inaguration

K Viswanath addressing invitees after statue inaguration

Prayer before the seminar began on Septemeber 5

U Raja Rajeswari Devi presenting her paper:
"Purnapurushudu, Srimadajjada Adibhatla Narayana Dasu"
Seen on the stage: Sri Ravva Srihari, Editor, TTD Publications &
Smt. Challa Prabhavathi Deekshitulu, Principal S V Music & Dance College