For the love of art and culture

HYDERABAD: India has always been a land of an eclectic mix of cultures. And, this unique aspect has been strengthened by the contribution of every state of India in its own way.Andhra Pradesh is no different. With an aim to create awareness of the fundamental principles underlying the development of Indian culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh’s initiative for preserving culture, Shilparamam, in collaboration with Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), has organised a “National Cultural Festival- Unity in Diversity”.The 10th National Cultural festival was inaugurated by Dr GN Rao, a retired IAS officer on Monday. “Culture has always been our share of joy. Like every other state Andhra Pradesh is rich in culture and we are proud to propagate Kuchipudi dance, which originated here,” Rao said and welcomed all the participants and their families to the city.Shilparamam will play host to 120 participants and their families selected from across the country at Shilparamam till July 31. The participants are children between the age group of 4 to 14 years, who are scholarship holders from CCRT, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.The festival will conduct workshops in various art-forms over a period of oneweek which includes vocal Hindustani and Carnatic music, instrumental music like tabla, sitar, flute, harmonium, violin and veena, dance forms like Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odissi and Mohiniyattam, dancedrama, classical dance ballet and visual arts like Nirmal and Cherial painting, Kalamkari and pottery.The festival focuses on providing opportunities for scholarship holders to interact with eminent teachers in order to make it a better learning experience. Eminent personalities from different fields like Deepika Reddy, P Jaya Bhasker, Geetha Ganesan, BV Pattabhi Ram, Radha Sarangapani, Sanjay Joshi, Arun Bhikshu and many more will be extending their support by helping the participants to improvise their skills. The festival also enables exchange of views on different art forms and also focuses on inculcating awareness of the India’s cultural heritage and integrity. Also included in the festival are productions by students portraying different art forms, lecture demonstrations by many traditional artists, visits to places of historical importance like Golconda Fort and Cahrminar. The festival will conclude by a cultural bonanza by all the participants.Arun Kumar Dey, father of Debarati Dey (one of the participants), residents of Kolkata said, “We have come all the way from Kolkata as my daughter is a scholarship holder for a dance form called, Gaudiya Nritya. Such workshops are a means for improvement, and I am really glad my daughter is a part of this. Also, all our expenses are paid by the government.” Another resident of the city, Geeta Burma said, “It is very nice to see so many people coming from different parts of the country for the cause of culture.” “My son Bhargav Burma is the only one representing the city in visual arts and I am extremely delighted. People must encourage children’s interests.I am a working lady, but I still love to take out time for his interests and encourage him,” she added.