Vijayawada: Cultural programmes to be organised by the department of language and culture are likely to play a key role in focusing on our culture and entertaining the pilgrims during Krishna Pushkaralu. The state government gave a facelift to Tummalapallivari Kshetraiah Kalakshetram in Vijayawada to organise the cultural programmes during 12-day river festival. The cultural programmes including classical music, dance forms, social and mythological plays will be organised in the evenings.

As per the schedule on August 12, Kuchipudi dance performance will be given by J. Ramachandra Murthy team, Burrakatha by Mohammed, Babji, Srikrishna Rayabaram play by Gummadi Gopalakrishna team and Bhakta Prahlada by B.A.V. Naidu and team. On August 13 Kuchipudi performance by Vasanta Durga, Harikatha by Chandu Bhaskar, Sri Ramabha-kta Hanuman by B. Vijay Kumar, Pridhvi Raj by P.V.N. Krishna.

On August 14, Kuchi-pudi dance performance will be given by M. Surendranath team, Bhakti Sangeetam by S. Srimani, Kurukshetram play by Pidugu Surya-narayana and Desa-munu Preminchumanna by D.S.P. Rao and team. On August 15, Kuchipudi dance performance by M.D. Giri and team, Janapada Geetalu by Snehalata Murali, Kris-hna river Pushkara Mahatya play by V.N. Bharadwaja and Nar-tana Sala by Kakinada Achari and team.

On August 16, Kuchi-pudi dance by Dr S.P. Bharati, Janapada Geetalu by Damodara Gan-apati Rao, Gayopa-khyanam by Valluri Sri-hari Rao and Satya Harishandra play by Y. Gopala Rao. On August 17, Kuchipudi dance performance by Sravya Manasa, music by Syam, Bhakti geetalu by Poll-ana Jayadev, Sri Kala-hasti Mahatyam by Mee-gada Ramalinga Swamy and Sataya Harisch-andra by Jaya Nirmala.

On August 18, Andhra Natyam performance by Sappa Durga Prasad, Kuchipudi dance by Kuwait Vedavalli, Mimi-cry by Y. Parameswara Rao, Tulasi Jalandhara play by Pragada Babu, Maya Bazar play by Palagani Rambabu, Bhuvana Vijayam by Anantapuram Sarma. On August 19, Janapada Geetalu by Y. Umamahesh, Prahlada Yakshaganam by Y. Srini-vasulu, Melatur Bhagavatmela by Mahalingam, Tulasi Jalandhara play by Achanta balaji Nayudu and Kanaka Durga Mahatyam by Gudivada Nagalakshmi.

On August 20, Kuchi-pudi performance by M.S.V. Vaishnavi, Yaksh-aganam by Y. Sudarsan, Khelkatam Dukanam bandh by Vasudeva Rao, Hasyavallari byDornala Haribabu and Jeevan Smrutulu by Sivaprasad and team. On August 21, Kuchipudi dance performance by Swatantra Bharat Ramesh, Bharata Natyam by Yasoda Tagore, Bhakti Sangee-tam by K. Jaya Sankar, Gayopakyanam play by A. Venkateswara Rao and Ramakrsihana Par-amahamsa play by Gangotrisai and team.

On August 22, Bhakti Geetalu by B. Suseela, Kuchipudi dance by Ko-ka Vijayalakshmi, Mimicry by Butta Nageswara Rao, Guru Raghavendra charitra play by Nayudu Gopi, Sarangadhara play by K. Adi-keshava Raoo. On August 23, Bhakti Geetalu by Vijayalakshmi, Kuchipudi dance by V. Vijayanandam, Kri-shnaveni Charitra dance play by Ongole Balakotaiah and Ramanjaneya Yuddam.

City folks gear up for Krishna river festival:

The city is spruced up for Krishna Pushkaralu in a grand manner. The government has taken up several works while shop owners in the city are decorating their establishments with illumination. The local body VMC also decorated various centres with colourful lighting before 12 days. Especially, several important centres and roads are decorated with illumination. The roads at the collector’s office, municipal commissioner’s office are also being decorated. The decoration has been initiated two days ago.

Already the walls on the Mahatma Gandhi road were cleaned and painted with various designs by students of various colleges, including Nagarjuna University. Apart from this, the local body too is making arrangements to fill the roadside walls and trees with illumination. Besides, several shop vendors on the Mahatma Gandhi Road and Eluru Road have decorated their shops with colourful lights. Similarly, the officials are erecting high-mast lights at various centres in the city.

The specially designed high-mast lights, which cost Rs 5 crore, were set up at Krishna-Godavari confluence location. Besides, the lighting arrangements are being made at Prakasam Barrage. Ch. Ravi of LIC Colony said that the illumination would bring a festive look to the city. He said that the business establishment should welcome the people from all parts of the country in various manners.