Hyderabad, March 20: Stating the UPA government is giving importance to India’s culture, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union minister for Rural Development and panchayat raj promised to sanction more funds for Andhra Pradesh to develop rural arts and culture.
He was in the city yesterday to inaugurate T Subbarami Reddy Lalithakala Parishath second mega cultural festival at the Shilpakala Vedika. Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor was conferred with the TSR Lalithakala Samrat award for his contribution to Indian films.
Addressing the gathering, Vilasrao Deshmukh emphasised the need to protect Indian art, culture and customs while encouraging talents who have proved their merit in different professions. “The Central government has sanctioned Rs 7,500 crore for Andhra Pradesh during 2010-2011 for development schemes,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said the state government would help in constructing auditoriums in all district headquarters to promote arts and culture while encouraging stage shows and other arts. T Subbarami Reddy, founder president, TSR Lalithakala Parishath said, “The first auditorium will be constructed in Rajahmundry and works are to start soon.’’ He added they would also encourage writers of poetry, novels, short story, essay and other literary forms by conducting seminars and workshops and publishing their works.
Later, Vilasrao Deshmukh and Kiran Kumar Reddy presented TSR awards to producer Allu Aravind, actor Allu Arjun, Indian Idol winner Sreeramchandra, actress Anuskha, Poonam Kaur and Suhasini. TSR Lalithakala Parishath president Dr D Ramanaidu, ministers K Jana Reddy, Vatti Vasanth Kumar, veteran actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao were present.
—-Agencies