North Andhra folk artists eagerly await government patronage

Traditional artists in Andhra Pradesh seek government financial assistance to preserve dying art forms and attract tourists.

Hundreds of artists practising traditional arts like Turpu Bhagavatam, Jamukula Pata, Runja Vaidyam, Chekka Bhajana, Harikatha, and Erukula Pata in the North Andhra Pradesh, amid dwindling patronage, say that they are in dire need of financial assistance from the government.

Even though the artists get opportunities to perform at Vizianagaram Utsavam, Sankranti festivals, and others, their income from these festivals is meagre, and it doesn’t help them make ends meet, they say. Due to the lack of patronage, the next generation is not showing interest in practising these arts, and only government assistance could prevent the art forms from becoming extinct, they say.

Artists such as Vibhuti Krishna Murthy, Avala Jagannadham (Runja Vaidyam), Bontala Koti Sankara Rao, Koccharla Lakshmi (Turpu Bhagavatam), Gorle Parvati (Erukulapata), Kalla Nirmala (Harikatha), M. Taviti Naidu (Chekka Bhajana), Mukkumari Naidu (Kolatam) are among the prominent artists who await government’s financial assistance.

Gidugu Ramamurthy Telugu Bhasha Janapada Kalapeetham founder Badri Kurma Rao, who has published many books on North Andhra folk arts, urged the government to make major temples to patronise at least one art so that those arts will be protected forever.

“Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams used to encourage Harikatha artists by allowing them to perform at Tirumala. However, it was stopped a few years ago. If each temple adopts a few artists of at least one art, it will aid in protecting the great culture and traditions,” Mr. Kurma Rao added. 

Mr. Kurma Rao has also urged the Cultural Department to arrange transport and accommodation for the artists at State and national events.

He said that North Andhra artists recently performed at Shilparamam of Hyderabad, which was widely appreciated by the tourists, adding that good artists also help attract tourists to the cities hosting their events.