The ‘Telugu Mahotsavam’ is to be an annual event, says Minister Kandula Durgesh

Classical dancers perform against the backdrop of the Undavalli Caves during the grand ceremony of the two-day Telugu Mahotsavam cultural festival in Guntur district on Sunday. | Photo credit: GN Rao

Andhra Pradesh Tourism, Culture and Cinema Minister Kandula Durgesh on Sunday announced that the state government will organize an annual ‘Telugu Mahotsavam’ in Andhra Pradesh to promote the Telugu language and its rich cultural heritage. He directed the officials to conduct the festival in all regions of the state so that the literary and cultural legacy of Telugu reaches the future generations.

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinema Kandula Durgesh on Sunday felicitated the participants of the two-day cultural festival Telugu Mahotsavam at the Undavalli Caves in Guntur district. | Photo credit: GN Rao

The minister was speaking at the closing ceremony of the two-day Telugu Mahotsavam, organized by the Andhra Pradesh State Creative and Cultural Society at the historic Undavalli Caves in Guntur district, where he was welcomed with traditional folk performances. He later praised poets who have contributed to Telugu literature and social media influencers promoting the language in the digital space.

Mr. Durgesh said the coalition government led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan was committed to protecting the Telugu language and reviving the state’s cultural heritage. “Though English remains important in today’s world, mother tongue must never be neglected,” he said, noting that Telugu is compulsory at the primary level, stressing that education in mother tongue enhances creativity, critical thinking and overall development of children.

The minister proposed to prepare a comprehensive documentation tracing the historical development of Telugu as a classical language and assured full government support for the preservation of Telugu literature and manuscripts. He also emphasized the need for revival of traditional art forms like Tholu Bommalata, Harikatha, Burrakatha and Padya Natakam and announced that the prestigious Nandi Natakotsavams would soon be organized on a grand scale.

Mr. Durgesh added that the government has already introduced several literary and cultural awards, including Ugadi Kala Ratna Awards, Kandukuri Awards, Telugu Language Awards, Gurram Jashuva Awards and Boyi Bheemanna Awards. He also announced that the birth centenary celebrations of Mandali Venkata Krishna Rao would be held in Vijayawada on August 4, while the Telugu Language Day and Telugu Awards ceremony would be held on August 29, the birth anniversary of Gidugu Ramamurthy Pantulu.

During the event, the Minister personally wrote the Telugu word ‘Vishwaksenudu’, watched demonstrations of pottery and Telugu calligraphy, watched a traditional leather puppet show and felicitated a student II. class who recited verses of the Bhagavad Gita. He also unveiled the artwork of Director of Language and Culture Regulla Mallikarjuna Rao and released Kavitha Kusumala, a poetry collection by Simhadri Vani.

Avanigadda MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad urged people to dedicate themselves to the preservation of Telugu, while AP State Creative and Cultural Society chairman Tejaswi Podapati said the festival aims to ensure that the Telugu language is passed on to future generations by promoting its daily use among children and youth. Official Language Commission Chairman Trivikram Rao and Director Regulla Mallikarjuna Rao appreciated the government’s efforts to strengthen Telugu language and culture. The celebrations were concluded with renowned singer Shobha Raju presenting Annamacharya’s compositions celebrating the beauty and richness of Telugu.

Published – 26 Jul 2026 21:24 IST