TFTDDA Honors its Founder President on 35th Anniversary with Statue Inauguration
The Telugu Film and TV Dancers and Dance Directors Association (TFTDDA) celebrated its 35th anniversary by honoring its founder president, Sai Raju Rajam Raju, fondly known as Mukku Raju Master, with a grand statue unveiling ceremony on Wednesday morning. The statue, erected at the TFTDDA office premises, was unveiled by prominent director-producer R. Narayana Murthy, who graced the occasion as the chief guest. The event witnessed the presence of Film Chamber President Bharat Bhushan, Directors Association President Veera Shankar, Film Chamber General Secretary Damodara Prasad, director-producer Tammareddy Bharadwaj, Vallabhaneni Anil Kumar, TFTDDA President Joseph Prakash, General Secretary Devara Srinivas, and other committee members. TFTDDA President Joseph Prakash stated that the unveiling of Mukku Raju Master's statue was a fitting tribute on the 35th anniversary of the dancers' union's establishment.
Following the statue unveiling, chief guest R. Narayana Murthy expressed his gratitude, saying, "My salutations to the association elders, President Joseph Prakash Garu, General Secretary Srinivas Devara Garu, Treasurer B. Manohar Garu, and all the members for bestowing upon me the great honor of unveiling the statue of this great man. Mukku Raju Master is the reason this association has grown so remarkably. He was unparalleled in encouraging newcomers. I bow my head in reverence to his humanitarian side. He was a good man with immense greatness. The industry's development is possible only with the contribution of all 24 crafts. If Telugu cinema has reached a level to compete with Hollywood, it's because of such great individuals. The foundation laid by Mukku Raju Master in 1991 for the formation of the 24 Crafts Federation started with the establishment of the Dancers Association. Subsequently, other unions emerged. Mukku Raju Master worked in every one of my films. That's why I have the good fortune of unveiling his statue today. The fact that the association currently has 600 dancers is due to the strong foundation laid by Mukku Raju Master. I request Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to provide permanent houses in Chitrapuri Colony for all the workers in the film industry."
Director-producer Tammareddy Bharadwaj remarked, "If not for Mukku Raju Master, there would be no Film Federation today. The federation wouldn't have been complete without the Dancers Union and the Fighters Union. Back then, with unwavering belief, Mukku Raju Master came forward and started the Dancers Union. Today, the association exists because of their hard work. R. Narayana Murthy Garu encouraged Mukku Raju Garu with every film. It's heartening to see a statue of such a person at the association's office. Our dancers are currently making a name for themselves at the national level. Congratulations to the committee that installed Mukku Raju Master's statue."
Damodar Prasad shared his memories, "I met Mukku Raju Master in 1986. Due to my temper, I had a fight with a dancer, and he came and settled it. Since then, we became acquainted. It is because of Mukku Raju Master's initiative that the association is where it is today. They worked with great aspirations. I hope their aspirations are carried forward. The Chamber's support will always be there for you to resolve issues by coming together."
Directors Association President Veera Shankar said, "It is truly commendable of the Dancer Union for not forgetting history and remembering historians. This union wouldn't exist without Mukku Raju Master. By installing this statue, they have immortalized such a great man. Heartfelt congratulations to the entire Dancer Union."
Film Chamber President Bharat Bhushan assured, "The Film Chamber of Commerce Association will fully support this Dancers Association in undertaking this initiative. We will stand by you in any problem."
Ammiraju stated, "Very few unions in the 24 crafts of the industry have such wonderful own buildings. This is all the greatness of the Dancers Association. It is a pleasure to have the statue of Mukku Raju Master unveiled by the hands of R. Narayana Murthy Garu. My congratulations to the Dancers Union."
Following the unveiling of Mukku Raju Master's statue, the association members announced that a cricket tournament would be organized in his name. The event was attended by TFTDDA Vice Presidents M. Basavaraju and K. Suresh, Joint Secretaries Siriginedi Ramakrishna and G. Bala Krishna, Executive Committee members K. Kokila, K. Sridevi, K. Satish Goud, K. Chinna, P. Sadanandam, P. Suresh, P. Narasimhudu, and G. Mahesh Kumar.
