The newly appointed members of the Andhra Pradesh Nataka Academy met Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh at the Velagapudi Secretariat on Wednesday (May 20, 2026).

The State government has appointed 25 artistes from across the State as members of the Nataka Academy, giving priority to the development of theatre.

The Minister felicitated the members with shawls and congratulated them. He said the government would always encourage artistes who had rendered distinguished service to Telugu theatre, and hoped the Academy would help preserve and pass on the grandeur of theatre to future generations.

Mr. Durgesh also asked the members to take up programmes to bring greater recognition to theatre across the State and to promote cultural awareness among the youth.

Chief Executive Officer of the Cultural Department Mallikharjuna Rao and Nataka Academy members G.V. Ramana and Maganti Sastry, among others, took part in the programme.