Anantapur: Seema culture, cuisine to be showcased

Anantapur: Elaborate arrangements are on for the grand Lepakshi Festival, dubbed as Lepakshi Vaibhavam, scheduled for March 7-8 at Lepakshi village in the district. The two-day festival will showcase the ancient glory of Sri Krishna Devarayulu of the Vijayanagar empire. Hundreds of cultural artistes who were living in obscurity due to lack of patronage for their fine arts are now coming out of their shell to give their live demonstrations of their ancient arts including tholubommalata, urumulu, kommulu, dappulu, keelu gurraalu, maragallu, goravayyalu, tappetlu, chekkabhajanalu and kolatalu.

Similarly, rural sports like Karrasamu, Kattisamu, Rathigundu, Irusu, Golilata, Itlamanu, Chilla Katte, Thadata and kabadi will be demonstrated during the cultural programmes throughout the day.

Rayalaseema delicacies such as ragisankati, holuga, kudumulu, uggani, vadalu, pachipulusu, shanakkaya pachadi, pulagam, jonna rotte, sajja rotte, gongura pulla kura, shanaga Ittanalapodi, erra karam, menthipodi, natukodi pulusu and talakura, etc., will all be showcased at the festival where one can taste all the Rayalaseema delicious foods and cuisine.

Thousands of schoolchildren, cultural artistes, tourists and pilgrims from AP, Telangana and Karnataka will participate in the festival. The temple takes one on a journey down the memory lane of a rich and historical heritage.