Come January 23, the city will turn into a kaleidoscope of colours swirling to the mirthful revelry of the Visakha Utsav. Being organised after a gap of eight long years, the three-day festival organised by Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) will see performances by many noted personalities, cultural events, folk dances, a grand flower show and city-based cultural organisations presenting shows to highlight the culture and tradition of the region. “Over 850 tribal artistes from the Agency Areas will be a part of the Visakha Utsav events. They will converge at the main venue of R.K. Beach on the inaugural day and present their folk dance performances. After that, the teams will be performing on the field at various venues of the Utsav,” says a VUDA official. The festival is being organised at the cost of Rs 3 crore.
The main venues of the Visakha Utsav are R.K. Beach, VUDA Park, Kailasagiri, Shilparamam Jatara (Mathurwada) and Gurajada Kalakshetra. “We are also looking at a venue in Gajuwaka so that people from the industrial belt can be a part of the events. A venue has been proposed but not yet finalised,” he added. City-based associations like Maharashtra Mandal, Punjabi Association, Kannada Kaveri Sangham and Kerala Kala Samiti will be a part of the celebrations.
R.K. Beach
The three-day festivity will take off on an exciting musical note at R.K. Beach where percussionist A. Sivamani will perform at the inaugural ceremony. The main venue of the Visakha Utsav, R.K. Beach will see a host of celebrity performances during the three days. Singer Malgudi Subha and Sunita, music composer S.S. Thaman and dancer-actor Shobana will be a part of the dazzling shows. Stalls will be put up at the beach to showcase the creative talents and different food cultures. The Navy Band will perform on all three days at R.K. Beach. Minister Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate the Utsav on January 23.
Timings : Cultural events start from 4 p.m. onwards
VUDA Park
One of the major highlights of the Visakha Utsav will be the flower show at VUDA Park. Around 120 varieties of flowers and floral decorations, from Bangalore, Hyderabad, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and local organisations, will adorn the venue. A collection of bonsai plants and rare sizes of fruits and vegetables will be the added attraction. Apart from this, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation will be setting up a stall to showcase the tourism value of the region and offer tourism packages. A property show organised by members of AP Real Estate Developers Association will be a part of the show.
Timings : cultural events from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Shilparamam – Jatara Mathurwada
The serene art and cultural complex of the Department of Tourism, Shilparamam – Jatara, at Madhurawada will be the epicentre with folk dance performances by tribal groups who will present Dhimsa and Bison dances and folk dances like Tappeta Gullu. To showcase the folk and art culture of the organisation, a craft exhibition will be organised there.
Kailasagiri & Gurajada Kalakshetram
Apart from cultural performances, a laser show and LED screens giving live telecast of the shows will be the highlight at the tourist locale of Kailasagiri.
The main highlight of the performances at Gurajada Kalakshetram will be a full-length play of ‘Kanyasulkam’ on January 25 by KV Memoral Arts Association.
Timings : cultural events from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
