Appendix

Appendix -James Jayasheel Choudhury Based on the year of Baptism of the poet Chowdhary Purushotham (6-10-1833), the Centenary Celebrations took place in 1933. An account of this was briefly given in Chapters 14 and 15. Based on the poet's date of birth, many of us conducted Bi-Centenary Celebrations during 2003-2004 in Andhra Pradesh. We have included descriptions of those events in the Telugu version. Also included are the poems written in appreciation of the Poet by those that were influenced by his writings and hymns. In Srikakulam, the Bicentenary celebrations were conducted in 12th and 13th October, 2003 under the aegis of the District Christian Welfare Society by Sri D. L. B. L. Kumar. Mr. Jaladi Raja Rao (Film Lyricist) was invited as the Special Guest. Mrs. Pydisetti Jayanthi, Municipal Chairperson was the Guest of Honor. Rev B. D. P. Rao (Rajamundry) was specially invited. In the evening meeting, Rev Gode Samuel spoke on the writings, literature and life of Purushotham Chowdhary. In Vizianagaram, the event took place during September 6, 7, and 8, 2003; it was conducted by the District Celebrations Committee. A hymn competition was conducted by Y. Robertson, G. Prasad, V. Masilamani, T. Shanta Kumar, Rev P. Theophilos, and pastor Alajangi Vijaya Kumar. Dr. S. T. Gnanananda Kavi (Kakinada), Sri Pratipati Devasahayam (Guntur), and Rev Dr. D. V. Daniel (Vijayawada) were felicitated. A special memorial edition was released on the occasion. In 2009, SIMS Baptist Church conducted a musical night of Purushotham's hymns. Dr Ravela Joseph (Hyderabad), Rev B. D. P. Rao (Rajamundry), Sri M. D. Sudheer (Chairman, Minorities Corporation) participated as special guests. Sri Vara Lakshmi, Tyagaraya Music and Dance Kala Niketan, rendered Purushotham's hymns in chaste Karnataka style. Poet Purushotham Chowdhary served as a pastor in Chittivalasa from1862 to 1870. Under the auspices of the London Mission Society

with which he served, the Bi-Centenary celebrations were held and Sri J. J. Chowdhary, and Dr. D. D. Chowdhary (Fifth generation grandson of the Poet) took part in the event. And Rev M. Paul Augustine (Secretary, B. E. M, Hyderabad), and Bro A. Jenny Christopher (Khammam) preached. The program was conducted by Dr D. J. Mohan Kumar (President, Christian Welfare Association, Chittivalasa). Under the leadership of Babu John Chowdhary, the AntarvediPurushotham Memorial Hall was constructed and dedicated in 1908. As the building, has reached a dilapidated condition, it was demolished and a new structure came up in its place. Dr S. S. Chowdhary (son of the great grandson of the Poet) along with Dr Ravi Mohan and Dr Pradeep Kumar took an active role in this. The re-dedication took place on 05-09-2003. Rev D. V. Daniel (Former Director of Suvartha Vani, Vijayawada), and Rev G. Babu Rao (Hyderabad), Sri David K. Sharma (Vishakhapatnam) participated. Usually the Centenary or Bicentenary is celebrated just before the actual birthday throughout the following year. The Vishakhapatnam Y. M. C. A. kickstarted the Poet's Bi-Centenary on a grand scale. Dr. S. Jaya Kumar Rao, Sri Roland Williams, and Sri G. Mathew Peter conducted the meeting. Dr. D. V. Daniel spoke briefly. Dr Nittala Sudha Rathnanjali for her research on the writings of Purushotham Chowdhary, Rev Dr B. D. P. Rao, for his collection of about 16,000 hymns, were felicitated. Late Dr R. R. Sundar Rao was posthumously conferred an honorary title for his research volume, and it was accepted by his eldest son, Prof R. D. Sampath Kumar. On 5, 6, and 7 September 2003, Y. M. C. A. conducted a celebration in Gurajada Kalakshetram. Volume one of the compilation of Chowdhary Purushotham's Hymns was released and the first copy was given to Sri John Newton Chowdhary (Deputy Director, retired, Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Orissa). Chowdhary family members celebrated the Bi Centenary on 6th October 2003. Rev Dr D. V. Daniel and Rev Dr B. D. P. Rao took part in it.

Rev Dr Ravela Joseph, President of the Institute for Inter-Church Growth and Leadership (IIGL, Hyderabad) started the Bi Centenary celebrations. Rev R. Jaya Paul, and Bro V. Henry conducted the various events. Singing Competition of the hymns written by Purushotham, Theological debate on the literature of the poet, reading of poetry on the life and ministry of Purushotham (in which Dr Yendluri Sudhakar acted as the judge) were held as part of the celebrations at various times. Birth celebrations of the Poet were held in Harihara Kala Bhawan, Secunderabad. A famous poet Dr C. Narayana Reddy, Bishops and Pastors of the twin cities, and leading Christians participated. Dr Ravela Joseph, Dr G. Samuel and other Christian Professors spoke on the occasion. On 22-08-2004, The Andhra Christian Forum conducted a meeting in which Dr Das Babu and Dr Ravela Joseph introduced the Compilation of the Volume of Hymns and it was released by Most Rev Dr Marampudi Joji. The then Minister of Andhra Pradesh for Technical Education Nayani Narasimha Reddy felicitated Sri James Jayasheel Chowdhary, Sri Gidugu Rama Murthy, and Mohammad Ghouse. Sri Swarnjit Sen, I.P.S., Sri Stanley Babu, I. R. T. S., Pastor Nalla Thomas, and Rev B. D. P. Rao graced the occasion. Bishop Taranath Sagar of the Methodist Church spoke. Dr Das Babu, Sri Vijaya Sikhamani, Dr N. J. Prabhakar conducted the meeting. The exit meeting of the Bi-Centenary took place on 05-09-2004, conducted by I. I. G. L under the leadership of Dr Ravela Joseph, and Rev Ravela Jaya Paul. The Chief Guest, Sri Gopi Nath Reddy inaugurated the website on Purushotham Chowdhary. Celebrations were undertaken at Madanapalli, Bellary and other places in which various modern poets read out appreciatory verses on Purushotham Chowdhary. Pieces of poetry and prose written by Rev D. C. Gideon (Baptist Church, Lankela Palem), Sri K. Prasad (COREED, Kavali), Sri Mallavarapu Venkata Rao (Best Teacher Awardee, Chimakurti), Dr D. N. Purushotham (Founder Employees Prayer fellowship), Rev Kumar Thomas Siripurapu (Vishakhapatnam), and Rev Bondla Simon (Church of South India, Dornakal Diocese, Khammam) are included in the Telugu version of this book.