Arrangements in full swing in ASR district for ‘Araku Utsav’ from January 31

Stalls and food courts being set up at Government Degree College Grounds, the main venue for Araku Utsav, in Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Arrangements are in full swing for the Araku Utsav titled ‘Chali’, beginning January 31, in Alluri Sitharama Raju district.

District Collector A.S. Dinesh Kumar, who is monitoring the arrangements, said the event would showcase tribal culture and arts.

A grand stage has been set up at the Government Degree College Grounds in Araku Valley, which will serve as the main venue for the three-day event. An amusement park has also been set up near the venue. Various programmes have been lined up on all three days of the event to engage tourists.

As per the authorities, the Utsav will begin with a 5K ‘Araku Marathon’ from Padmapuram Gardens to the main venue on January 31 morning.

At 11 a.m., a flower show will be inaugurated at the newly opened Padmapuram Botanical Gardens. Subsequently, a painting competition will be organised at the Tribal Museum in which students from various schools and colleges will take part.

The opening ‘Carnival Parade’ will begin from Padmapuram Gardens at around 3 p.m.

Tribal folk artistes including Basthar Band, Thoda Dance, Ghond Tribal Dance, Tappeta Gullu, Kommu Koyya Dance, Savara Dance, Jathapu Dance, Buda Bukkalu, Chekka Bajana, Jamuku Pata, Manipur dance and a large number of tribal students will participate in the carnival.

Cultural programmes including tribal dances and comedy skits will begin at 5 p.m. Nagadabheri Band, Dhimsa and Kuchipudi performances have also been planned.

The district administration, police and Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) will also participate in the festival.

On the second day, a cycling event will be organised from Borra Caves to the main venue. A plantation drive, Coffee Festival and a few other programmes have also been scheduled in the morning at various locations.

In the evening, a fashion show, Araku Band, Dhimsa, gymastics, Rela Nrithyam, western songs, Paika act from Odisha, comedy skits and other performances will be organised.

Trekking event, rangoli competitions and flash mob have been scheduled for the final day. The closing ceremony will feature cultural performances, folk dances, laser show and firecrackers show.

As per the Tourism Department officials, stalls and food courts will be available throughout the three days. The Araku Valley is being given a festive look with illumination.

As an additional attraction, tethered hot air balloons, paragliding and helicopter rides facilities would also be available for the visitors.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, Tribal Welfare Minister G. Sandhya Rani, Assembly Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu have been invited to the Araku Utsav. However, with the MLC election code coming into effect, the authorities are not sure about their participation in the festival.