MAKING A POINT: Minister for Rural Development D. Srinivas sharing a point with district Collector I.S. Sri Naresh during the inaugural of `Nandi Natakotsavalu' in Nizamabad on Thursday. Noted cinema artiste P.L. Kantha Rao is also seen.

NIZAMABAD: To popularise drama by taking it closer to rural masses the Government has decided to conduct `Nandi Natakotsavalu' outside the State Capital for the first time, according to Dharmapuri Srinivas, Minister for Rural Development and Backward Classes Welfare.

Speaking as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the weeklong State-sponsored cultural programme here on Thursday night, he said watching the State-level drama festival was a rare opportunity for the district people. He complimented the district administration for making arrangements for the drama festival at a short notice.

The Rajiv Gandhi Auditorium, venue of the festival, was developed at a cost of Rs. 25 lakhs and in next few months an in-built audio system and air-conditioning facility would also be set up, he added.

Andhra Pradesh Film Development Corporation Chairman G. Adi Seshagiri Rao said, henceforth `Nandi Natakotsavalu' would be conducted in all regions of the State. The Government had introduced awards for best dramas from 1999, he said.

Poor patronage

C. Partha Sarathi, Commissioner, Information and Public Relations, said patronage for dramas particularly `pouranic' plays was on the decline. "It is high time we preserve dramas as it is a powerful media," he observed.

Complimenting artistes who had dedicated their lives for the protection of dramas, he said this art form was a live one and therefore the Government, artistes and people should strive to preserve and popularise it. Senior artiste P.L. Kantha Rao said in his view presentations and awards given by people mattered more than university doctorates and certificates. Cinema writer Parchuri Gopalakrishna said drama was a great art form than cinema.

District Collector I. S. Sri Naresh, Mayor D. Sanjay, ZP Chairperson Gadari Anitha, vice-chairman Taher Bin Hamdan and Andhra Pradesh Housing Corporation Chairman D. Rajeswar Rao also attended.

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