Date:14/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/14/stories/2005011401680500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Nandi natakotsavam in Vijayawada from Jan. 16

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JAN. 13. The annual theatre festival, `Nandi Natakotsavam' would be held at Thummalapalli Vari Kshetrayya Kala Kshetram, Vijayawada, from January 16 to 22.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, the Andhra Pradesh State Film Television and Theatre Development Corporation, K.V. Ramana Chary, said a total of 32 plays, playlets and `padya natakam' were scheduled to be staged during the festival. The award presentation would be held on January 23 at the same venue.

For the annual festival, 249 entries including 85 in `padya natakam' category, 55 in social plays and 109 in social playlet category were received. Of these, a team of judges selected 32 for the competition.

Arrangements in place

Mr. Ramana Chary said all arrangements were being made for the event to be held for the first time in Vijayawada with the active support of local administration. An amount of Rs. 37 lakhs was spent on sprucing up the venue and it has been equipped with best of green rooms, curtains, acoustics and lighting facility.

From this year, the script writers for social plays would be awarded with Rs. 2,000 and those scripting the social playlets with Rs. 1,000. Similarly, a Nandi has been constituted for the best lighting category which comes with a reward of Rs. 5,000.

Script writing workshop

The corporation would also be conducting a script writing workshop for children's films in the city on February 12 and 13.

Mr. Ramana Chary said the workshop was open for those above 18 years and interested in scripting work. For the two-day workshop, 50 participants would be enrolled and the last date for submission of application with a fee of Rs. 100 was January 27. Application forms would be available at the corporation office at FDC Complex, A.C. Guards, till January 17.