National School of Drama soon in Andhra Pradesh: Tourism minister Kandula Durgesh

Visakhapatnam: Union govt has given in-principle approval for establishing a branch of the National School of Drama (NSD) in Andhra Pradesh, said state tourism minister Kandula Durgesh. He was the chief guest for the 4th International Short Film Festival organised by the ‘Jaatiya Telugu Saraswata Mandala Parishad' in Palakollu, on Saturday.While heaping praise on short films made with a social perspective, he said that there is no death for poetic or traditional theatre (Padyanatakam). Referring to dramas like Kurukshetra, he said such poetic plays are timeless and culturally invaluable. He further announced that the Nandi drama festival will be held in Rajahmundry this November, and that chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has given the green signal to resume the Nandi Awards soon. He said Telugu film industry should gradually shift its base to Andhra Pradesh. Highlighting the economic aspect, he said that 60% of the revenue generated by the Telugu film industry comes from Andhra Pradesh, while only 40% is from Telangana, pointing out that most film shootings already take place in Andhra Pradesh. Given this trend, he stressed that the industry should be based in AP.Calling Rajahmundry the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh, he urged that cultural forms, programmes, and performances be presented to the world to showcase the state's artistic and cultural grandeur. He reassured the organisers that the NDA government led by chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan fully supports such efforts to promote grassroot talent. During the event, lifetime achievement awards were conferred on Telugu film directors B. Gopal and director Relangi Narasimha Rao, known for his contributions to comedy films.