Folk artistes organize rally on the occasion of World Folklore Day

Sri Gidugu Ramamurthy Telugu Bhasha and Janapada Kalapeetham founder and retired teacher Badri Kurma Rao on Friday (August 22) urged the State government to take steps for the protection of folk arts and the artistes who had been leading a pathetic life in the absence of pensions and patronage from society.

On the occasion of World Folklore Day, the artistes of various folk arts such as Tappetagullu, Gangireddulu, Jamukulapata, Chekka Bhajana, Burrakatha, Kolatam and others took out a rally from fort junction to old bus stand of Vizianagaram.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kurma Rao urged the government to ask each temple to adopt at least one folk art so that the artistes would perform in the places of worship with an aim to protect the art and get livelihood easily.

Chekka Bhajana artist Makkuva Mari Naidu, Lakkidam Sanyasamma of Jamukula Pata and others requested the government to ensure honorarium to the artistes regularly since they were getting opportunities to showcase their talent only during Pydithalli Ammavari utsavam and Vizianagaram Utsavam which are held in the month October every year.