Kandula Durgesh Confirms Nandi Awards and Theatre Festival for 2025

The coalition government has ushered in better times for the arts and artists, said Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography Kandula Durgesh. He made these remarks on Wednesday at the Telugu Theatre Day–2025 celebrations, which were held with grandeur at the Tummalapalli Vari Kshetrayya Kalakshetram in Vijayawada. The event was organized under the aegis of the Andhra Pradesh State Film, TV, and Theatre Development Corporation.

On this occasion, Minister Kandula Durgesh presented awards to 110 artists who demonstrated outstanding talent in the field of theatre. Among them, three individuals received the prestigious state-level Kandukuri Rangasthala Puraskaram, while 107 artists were honored with the Kandukuri Vishishta Puraskaram at the district level.

Speaking at the event, Kandula Durgesh affirmed that the Nandi Awards and the Nandi Theatre Festival would indeed be conducted this year. He stated that classical and poetic plays continue to receive appreciation to this day and emphasized the necessity of promoting contemporary theatre. He encouraged the youth to develop an interest in theatre and expressed his intention to take the arts into the broader public sphere in the coming days.

Referring to social reformer Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu, Kandula Durgesh said that the path paved by him is a beacon for future generations. He added that celebrating Veeresalingam Pantulu’s birth anniversary as Telugu Theatre Day is the most fitting tribute to his legacy.

The event was also attended by Andhra Pradesh State Theatre Academy Chairman Gummadi Gopalakrishna, renowned film writer and Chairman of the Kandukuri Awards Selection Committee Burra Sai Madhav, and Film Development Corporation Managing Director Himanshu Shukla, among others.