Heritage festival opens

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, MAY 12. Lively and colourful dances - "Tappetagullu" (Srikakulam district), "Puliveshalu" (Krishna district), "Dappu" and "Lambada" (Hyderabad) marked the inaugural session of the A.P. Cultural and Heritage Festival being organised by the Department of Culture here on Saturday.

The nine-day festival to continue till May 20 would be presenting a glimpse of the handicrafts, tribal arts, folk, traditional music and dance forms at the Telugu Lalitha Kala Thoranam in Public Gardens. It would culminate in the heritage fashion show where models would be attired in traditional materials.

The Union Minister of State for Urban Development, Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya, who inaugurated the festival, said Andhra Pradesh had a distinct cultural identity and it should be protected and nurtured for future generations. There was a need to encourage the skills of traditional artisans, musicians and dancers and showcase them to the rest of the world, he said.

The Union Minister said the onus was both on the Central and State Governments to provide adequate support and marketing facilities to craftsmen of traditional skills. The festival was meant to expose the artistes and craftsmen to the people in the urban areas, revive their art forms and ensure a larger market for them, besides providing entertainment, said Mrs. Chandana Khan, Tourism Secretary.

The Chairman of the A.P. State Cultural Council, Dr. C. Narayana Reddy, appreciated the efforts of the Government in protecting the cultural heritage of the State. The Special Officer, Shilparamam, Mr. G. Kishan Rao, and the Culture Director, Mr. Shantikumar, also spoke.

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Section  : Southern States
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