VIJAYAWADA: Amaravati Theatre festival, organised by AP Tourism Department was inaugurated in Vijayawada on Friday on a grand note. Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Kodela Sivaprasad Rao along with Bollywood actress Chitrangada Singh took part in the inaugural function at Tummallapalli Kalakshetram.
Addressing the gathering, Kodela Sivaprasad Rao said, “Mythological dramas carry positive messages that needs to be passed on to future generations. Nowadays, people are not much interested to see theatre due to the growing influence of cinema and television. People can access everything on their phones. Technology can grow but it will never be able to provide the experience theatre can. It is far more real, which entails the arduous efforts of the artists. It is one of the most powerful tools for spreading a positive message and creating awareness. The government should continue to provide ample opportunities to promote theatre and keep the interest of theatre lovers alive.”
Theatre personalities Shri Kota Srinivasa Rao, Shri Kota Shankara Rao and Shri S.K. Misro were also present. They sought greater focus on art and culture through Amaravati Theatre Festival. The trio put emphasis on the AP’s strong heritage and exhorted people from all spheres of art to come together to celebrate the glory of the State.
Bollywood actor Chitrangada Singh praised the efforts of the government to choose theatre as a tool for promoting culture and revisiting the history of the State. Singh congratulated the Government for promoting theatre on a wide scale with many more such festivals lined up for the coming months. The actor said, “I am extremely happy to be associated with the theatre festival and would like to thank the Tourism ministry for inviting me.
It is an absolute privilege to share stage with people who have contributed immensely to the world of theatre and cinema. I believe that AP has a rich tapestry of history and culture and there is nothing better than the government backing theatre, cinema, art.” The festival will be hosted at Tumalapalli Kalakshetram, Kaladarshini and Siddhartha Academy with ten plays being enacted over the three-day period.