NTR Kala Parishad celebrations conclude in Ongole

Classical dancers inviting Appajosyula Satyanarayana onto the stage for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award during the valedictory event of NTR Kala Parishad’s annual cultural programme in Ongole on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

The fortnight celebrations of NTR Kala Parishad concluded in Ongole on Sunday (February 2). The annual cultural programme, which was held after the gap of a few years, began on January 18, on the occasion of the death anniversary of former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao.

Speaking to The Hindu, Eedhara Haribabu, founder of NTR Kala Parishad, said: “The programme began daily with Nadaswaram and Kolatam at 4 p.m. and continued up to 10 p.m. Apart from professional stage performers, several schoolchildren also showcased their talent here.”

Nearly 200 visitors attended the programme each day. The organisers depended on sponsors for conducting the event, not on tickets. They suspended the annual programme during COVID-19 restrictions but restarted this year.

On Sunday, Appajosyula Satyanarayana was honoured with NTR Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented in a unique way, with a group of classical dancers inviting him onto the stage and felicitating him after performing a dance.

Chirala-based, Mr. Satyanarayana is the founder of Ajo-Vibho-Kandalam Foundation (AVKF), which had organised several drama competitions in the country and abroad. He had made exceptional contributions to the field of theatre arts, according Mr. Eedhara Haribabu.