‘Telugu culture should be preserved in both States’

Telugu Cultural Art Preservation Association says the promotion of arts and culture being forgotten amid the din of bifurcation

Though the State is being divided into two, the new governments in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh should give utmost importance to preserving ‘Telugu culture’, members of Telugu Cultural Art Preservation Association said.

Political parties should also include the development of Telugu culture and art in their election manifesto, the Association’s convenor Bathina Vikram Goud told reporters here on Sunday. A special Group of Ministers should be established to grant special status to Telugu culture and arts in both States, he said.

“Every Telugu, irrespective of caste or creed, should come together to preserve Telugu civilisation,” he said, adding that while officials were busy in the bifurcation process, none paid heed to uniting forces of culture.

The ‘Telugu Samskrutika Kalala Parirakshana Samithi’ was established after discussing critical issues pertaining to the preservation of culture with eminent personalities from the field of culture and arts, he said.

To preserve hereditary art forms like folk dance and music, classical dance and music, performing and cultural art forms, the Central Government should provide a special package for 10 years with assured employment policies, Mr. Goud demanded.

Government officials should also rope in corporations to provide sustenance to artists. Each district should have an auditorium and inter-district cultural performances. Festivals should be held regularly. Revenue to sustain arts and culture can also be raised from temples, he suggested.

Kuchipudi dance researcher and author of The Gateway of India , Munukutla Sambasiva, and writer Bandili Ratan Raju were also present at the event.