మాయాబజార్ artists felicitated

Department of Culture organises screening of film

TIME TO CHERISH: Dada Saheb Phalke awardee A.Nageswara Rao, Jnanpeet awardee C.Narayana Reddy, Gummadi Venkateswara Rao and Raavi Kondala Rao at the golden jubilee celebrations of `Mayabazar' film on Saturday. — PHOTO: K.RAMESH BABU

HYDERABAD: Imagine an open-air auditorium with the caress of a gentle breeze ever-so-often, even as the eyes are focussed on the screen, watching an evergreen `Mayabazar', with your loved ones ! Wouldn't it be an experience to cherish forever ?

That's what an audience, comprising all age groups at Lalitha Kala Thoranam in Public Gardens experienced on Saturday.

Commemorating the golden jubilee of the all-time great classic `Mayabazar', Kinnera Art Theatres, Department of Culture and Government of Andhra Pradesh felicitated the artistes and organised a special screening.

Memorable moments

Dada Saheb Phalke award-winner Akkineni Nageswara Rao said it was the skill of the technicians, including that of the director that made people admire the movie even 50 years later . "These celebrations rejuvenate us and provide an opportunity to relive those memorable moments of shooting of the film", he said.

Gnanpeeth awardee C. Narayan Reddy said it was due to the efforts of director and screenplay writer K.V. Reddy that the movie continued to draw audiences irrespective of age, even in this digital era. "The present age graphics cannot match the technical brilliance of K.V. Reddy in composing the special effects during those days," he said.

Felicitations

Later, A. Nageswara Rao released `Mayabazar'- a novel written by Raavi Kondala Rao.

On behalf of State Government, Home Minister K. Jana Reddy felicitated film artists A. Nageswara Rao, G. Venkateswara Rao, Seetha and Giribabu.

And, when the title `Mayabazar' appeared onscreen, the venue reverberated with a huge round of applause and whistles as witnessed on the day when it was screened the first time on March 27, 1957.

Courtesy: The Hindu