Date:20/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/20/stories/2004122006870500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Youth festival gets under way

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, DEC. 19. Winning teams in the State-level competitions in various folk arts will be presented a cash award of Rs. 1,016 each in addition to meritorious certificates and shields. This is intended to encourage artistes and the practice will continue in the coming years also, according to the Minister for Youth Services, T. Harish Rao. He was inaugurating the State-level youth fest at Lalita Kala Thoranam here on Sunday. The three-day festival is a prelude to the 10th National Youth Festival beginning here on January 12.

Of the 540 youth taking part in the competitions, 75 would be selected to represent the State in the national youth festival, the Minister said.

B. Satyanaryana, Minister for Industries, and N. Narsimha Reddy, Minister for Technical Education, were also present.

Talented youth, who emerged winners in the district-level competitions held earlier, are now vying for the top positions in 18 different events such as Hindustani vocal, folk song, one act play, classical instrumental solo, flute, tabla, veena and mrudangam.

Competition venues

As many as 203 artistes are taking part in folk songs contest followed by 90 in folk dance and 56 in one act play. Non-competitive events have also attracted 42 participants, said G. Nageswara Rao, Commissioner, Youth Services.

The competitions are being held at Ravindra Bharati, Indira Priyadarshini auditorium, Peoples Plaza, Necklace Road and the auditorium of N.G. Ranga Agricultural University.

The inaugural function was followed by Kuchipudi dance.