Three-day event at Krishna riverfront to spotlight Telugu cinema, literature and performing arts
The Government of Andhra Pradesh will host the inaugural Avakai: Amaravati Festival of Cinema, Culture and Literature from January 8-10, 2026, introducing a new public cultural platform along the Krishna riverfront.
The festival will unfold across Punnami Ghat and Bhavani Island, transforming public spaces into venues for cultural exchange. With a strong emphasis on Telugu cinema and literature, Avakai addresses the absence of a dedicated platform of this scale for regional storytelling in India.
Envisioned by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, organized by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority, and produced by Teamwork Arts, the festival combines cinema, literature and performing arts through curated discussions, screenings, workshops and live performances.
Multidisciplinary Programme
The three-day programme spans cinema, literature, poetry, music, dance, theatre and cultural conversations. A dedicated focus on Telugu cinema will explore its literary foundations, narrative traditions and contemporary evolution through panel discussions and film screenings.
The schedule includes poetry readings and mushaira sessions in Telugu and Urdu, workshops on theatre, dance, puppetry and music, and evening performances across classical, folk, contemporary and cinematic genres. Additional offerings include heritage trails, ghat ferry rides, interactive installations and culinary experiences.
Opening Day Highlights
The festival opens with Prarambhotsavam, a ceremonial inauguration featuring Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Tourism and Culture Minister Kandula Durgesh, European Union Ambassador to India H.E. Herve Delphin, and Teamwork Arts Managing Director Sanjoy K. Roy.
Opening performances include Her Frames, Her Fire by Omaggio Performing Company, rooted in Andhra’s Kuchipudi tradition, followed by The Music, Masti and the Magic, a musical created exclusively for Avakai, directed by Sanjoy K. Roy and choreographed by Gilles Chuyen.
Performance and Workshop Series
The programme features Katha Kalakshepam by StoryHour UK, drawing from Telugu folklore, and Rasa United, a Kuchipudi dance theatre presentation by Vanashree Rao. Mehfil e Sukhan, a classical Urdu mushaira curated by Rakhshanda Jalil, will showcase leading contemporary poets including Azhar Iqbal, Iqbal Ashhar, Khushbir Singh Shaad, Dr. Nusrat Mehdi, Dr. Mrunalini, Popular Meruthi, Saif Nizami and Sardar Saleem.
Aaj Rang Hai, a special collaboration featuring Nizami Bandhu with the Anirudh Varma Collective, headlines the musical offerings alongside performances by Javed Ali, Chowraasta, and Jammers.
Hands-on workshops with master practitioners including Tuhon Aditya Roy, Nathoo Lal Solanki, Shameem and Gilles Chuyen will encourage cultural exchange and skill development.
Cinema and Literature Conversations
The festival will host discussions with prominent voices from cinema, literature and journalism. Pure Evil: Anti Heroes of Cinema brings together crime writer S. Hussain Zaidi, filmmaker Sudhir Mishra and author Yandamuri Veerendranath, moderated by journalist Balaji Vittal, examining the cultural significance of anti-heroes in Indian cinema.
Abhilasha: From Novel to Screen features filmmaker A.K. Reddy and Yandamuri Veerendranath exploring storytelling across cinema and literature. Additional sessions will address mythology, music, poetry and contemporary narratives.
Official Statements
“Andhra Pradesh is proud to present Avakai, a festival that celebrates our rich cultural heritage through literature, cinema and the performing arts,” said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. “Avakai strengthens Vijayawada and Andhra Pradesh’s position as a primary destination for the arts and reflects the state’s commitment to fostering innovation, inclusivity and public engagement across all forms of cultural expression.”
Tourism and Culture Minister Kandula Durgesh said, “Avakai reflects our vision to position culture as a strong pillar of tourism and public engagement in Andhra Pradesh. By bringing together cinema, literature, music and performance on a single platform, the festival celebrates the depth of our artistic traditions while embracing contemporary creative expression.”
Ajay Jain, IAS, Special Chief Secretary for Tourism and Culture, noted, “Avakai has been structured as a comprehensive cultural initiative that integrates multiple art forms with public spaces and community participation. Such initiatives are vital for preserving cultural heritage while enabling contemporary creativity and building a sustainable cultural ecosystem.”
Amrapali Kata, IAS, Chief Executive Officer of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority, said, “Avakai has been designed to showcase Andhra Pradesh’s cultural and creative strengths through a multidisciplinary programme. The festival presents the state’s cultural narrative within a distinctive riverfront setting while encouraging engagement from diverse audiences.”
Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, described Avakai as “a public cultural platform that brings together ideas, stories and performances rooted in the region while remaining open to diverse creative voices. The festival creates a space for meaningful exchange between artists and audiences.”
Syed Shams Jawaid, Vice President and Festival Producer at Teamwork Arts, acknowledged “the vision and support extended by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in bringing Avakai to life. Working closely with the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority and various government departments has enabled the creation of a thoughtfully curated cultural platform.”
The inaugural edition positions Amaravati-Vijayawada as a contemporary cultural destination, linking heritage preservation with tourism development and public cultural access.
