Chiranjeevi Honors Padma Awardees Gaddam Sammayya and Anandachari Velu
Megastar Chiranjeevi has been honored by the Central Government with the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in the country. Since the announcement from the Centre, Chiranjeevi's residence in Hyderabad has been abuzz with activity as prominent figures from the film industry have been visiting to congratulate him. In this sequence, Chiranjeevi specially invited and honored Gaddam Samayya, a Yakshagana artist from Telangana who was recently selected for the Padma Shri Award, and architect Dr. Anandachari Velu.
Gaddam Sammayya, a Chindu Yakshagana artist from Appireddypalli village in Devaruppula Mandal of Jangaon district, has given over 19,000 performances as a Yakshagana artist over 50 years. He gained recognition for his role as Keechaka in the performance 'Keechakavadha' in 1985. He received the Talent Award from Telugu University in 1994 and the Kalaratna Award from the hands of the Governor during the annual celebration of Telugu University in 1995. In 2017, he was honored with the Telangana Formation Day Award, and recently, the Central Government announced the Padma Shri Award for him.
Dr. Anandachari Velu played a key role in the complete renovation of the Yadadri temple using Krishna stone. As the chief architect, he worked tirelessly as a stone sculptor, contributing to the temple's construction in the styles of Kakatiya, Dravida, and Chola architectures. He initially trained at the sculpture college of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and first worked as an architect for the Endowments Department of United Andhra Pradesh. Recognizing his services, the Central Government honored him with the Padma Shri Award.
Chiranjeevi expressed his happiness that Gaddam Sammayya received the Padma Shri Award for revitalizing the fading art form of Chindu Yakshagana. He thanked the Central Government for recognizing such art forms and artists and urged the Central and State governments to protect our arts and support the artists and their families.
Chiranjeevi also heartily congratulated Anandachari Velu for his innovative services in sculpture and acknowledged his invaluable contribution to the renovation of the Yadadri temple with Krishna stone.
Gaddam Sammayya and Anandachari Velu expressed their profound gratitude to Chiranjeevi for inviting them to his home, extending hospitality, and honoring them, describing it as an unforgettable experience in their lives.
