The Oggu Katha Universe 2025 Honours, a landmark celebration of Telangana’s rich folk heritage, was conducted on a grand scale at the University of Hyderabad, bringing together eminent personalities from academia, cinema, media and cultural fields. The programme honoured 25 eminent Oggu Katha artists selected from across Telangana for their outstanding contribution to preserving and carrying forward the traditional art form. The felicitation was widely appreciated by the distinguished gathering as a historic moment in the journey of Telangana Oggu Katha.
The former Vice President of India, Shri. M. Venkaiah Naidu garu, sent a message through a letter, in which he stated:
“The initiative to honour 25 eminent Oggu Katha artistes is a commendable one. Recognizing them is an expression of our gratitude to those who have devoted their lives to keeping this precious tradition alive. As I always say, in honouring the artiste, we honour the tradition; and when we preserve the tradition, we strengthen the cultural foundations of our future.” He stressed the need to protect these traditions and disseminate the knowledge associated with them, as India has a rich and vibrant folk culture with immense strength and diversity. He conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the selected artists, as well as to Prof. Joly Puthussery and Dr. G. KumaraSwamy, for this unique initiative.
Before the main programme, Telangana Samskruthika Sarathi artists presented vibrant Telangana folk songs, creating a colourful cultural atmosphere and showcasing the state’s rich musical traditions. The programme was anchored by Priyanka and Shirtha from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Hyderabad, who conducted the proceedings effectively.
The distinguished guests included Prof. Venkata Ramana, Director, National Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, Government of Telangana; Mechineni Srinivasa Rao, Chairman, Srico Projects; popular film actor Balagam Sudhakar Reddy; Dr. Jyothi Reddy Dudipala, Founder and Director, Jyothi Reddy Foundation; Dr. Kumara Swamy G., Head, ZEE Institute of Media Arts, Hyderabad; Dr. Ravula Krishna, Assistant Professor, University of Hyderabad; Prof. Joly Puthussery, Head, Centre for Folk Culture Studies, University of Hyderabad; popular television actor Vijay Yadav; Shiva Palepu, President, Student Union, University of Hyderabad; Singarapu Raj Kumar, Head of the Selection Committee; and Telangana writer and poet Praveen Machavaram.
All the guests praised the organisers for creating a significant and memorable occasion in the history of Telangana Oggu Katha, stressing the importance of recognizing folk artists and preserving the state’s living cultural heritage for future generations. A major highlight of the event was the screening of “Gods in the Voice,” the first documentary film in English on Oggu Katha. The documentary was highly appreciated for documenting the artistic richness and cultural significance of Oggu Katha. The guests particularly congratulated Dr. Kumara Swamy G. and his team for bringing this traditional art form to a wider audience through documentary filmmaking. The event was preceded by a Bathukamma workshop, in which more than 30 students participated. The workshop was hosted with the active involvement of University PhD Scholar Vasumathi, Tejaswini, Srinika, Rajitha, Kavitha, Supraja and others, providing students an opportunity to understand and engage with the cultural traditions associated with Bathukamma. Sumanth Pendem, PhD Scholar, played an active role in the organisation and conduct of the programme.
The event successfully brought together folk artists, academics, researchers, students, media professionals and cultural practitioners, creating a meaningful platform for the recognition and promotion of Telangana’s intangible cultural heritage. The successful conclusion of the Oggu Katha Universe 2025 Honours marked an important step towards giving greater recognition to Oggu Katha artists and demonstrated that Oggu Katha continues to remain a living and vibrant expression of Telangana’s cultural identity. The organizers of the event thanked Mechineni Srinivasa Rao Trust and Raghunath Yadav the Chairman of Telangana Yadava Corporation for their support.
