Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Nandi Theatre Festival Returns to Tenali With Wider Telugu Participation
The Andhra Pradesh government wants to bring back a major Telugu theatre festival.
It will take place in Tenali in January.
The event will start on January 10 with awards for theatre contributors.
Plays chosen by the organisers will then be performed for a week.
Theatre groups from other states can join for the first time.
Groups will submit videos so judges can choose plays more openly.
Five main awards will each include Rs 1 lakh.
Many other people, organisations and theatre councils will also receive recognition or funding.
The Andhra Pradesh government will revive the Nandi Theatre Festival in January in Tenali.
The festival will begin on January 10 with the Kandukuri Awards and continue with a week of selected plays.
Telugu theatre groups from other states will be eligible to participate for the first time.
Entries will be reviewed through video submissions, with a selection committee formed in October and preliminary results announced in December.
Five Kandukuri Awards will carry Rs 1 lakh each, while additional honours will recognize individuals, organisations and theatre councils.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh government, led at the announcement by minister Kandula Durgesh and Andhra Pradesh Film, Television and Theatre Development Corporation managing director Viswanathan.
- What
- The Nandi Theatre Festival will be revived with wider participation, performances and awards.
- When
- The festival will begin on January 10; entries are expected to open within two or three days, with selection in October and preliminary results in December.
- Where
- Tenali, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- The government aims to restore the glory of Telugu theatre and culture and extend benefits to more artists.
- Festival location
- Tenali
- Opening date
- January 10
- Main performances
- Selected plays will be performed for one week
- Participation expansion
- Telugu theatre groups from other states may participate for the first time
- Kandukuri Awards
- Five awards, each carrying Rs 1 lakh
- District honours
- Three Kandukuri Visishta Puraskarams from each of 28 districts, plus 16 special-service awards
- Theatre council funding
- Rs 1 lakh will be allocated to each council instead of Rs 5 lakh to a limited number of councils