A public cultural platform celebrating Telugu cinema, literature and the performing arts
Amaravati Festival of Cinema, Culture and Literature to be held from 8th to 10th January 2026
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has announced Avakai: Amaravati Festival of Cinema, Culture and Literature, a distinctive public cultural initiative that marks a new chapter for cinema and literary festivals in India. Moving beyond conventional indoor formats, Avakai unfolds across the Krishna riverfront at Punnami Ghat and Bhavani Island, transforming public spaces into sites of cultural exchange and creative dialogue.
With a strong focus on Telugu cinema and literature, the festival responds to the growing national interest in regional storytelling while addressing the absence of a dedicated platform of this scale and ambition. Anchored in the cultural landscape of Amaravati–Vijayawada, Avakai positions the region as a contemporary cultural capital while linking heritage, tourism and public participation. Envisioned by Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. Chandrababu Naidu, organised by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority, and produced by Teamwork Arts, the Festival introduces a format new to the state, combining cinema, literature and the performing arts through performances, conversations, workshops and immersive experiences, making Avakai a nationally significant cultural development.
Over three days, Avakai will present a multidisciplinary programme spanning cinema, literature, poetry, music, dance, theatre and cultural conversations. A strong focus on Telugu cinema will explore its literary roots, narrative traditions and contemporary evolution through curated discussions and screenings. The programme includes panel discussions, poetry readings and mushaira sessions in Telugu and Urdu, workshops on theatre, dance, puppetry and music, along with evening performances across classical, folk, contemporary and cinematic forms. Visitors will also experience heritage trails, scenic ghat ferry rides, interactive installations and curated culinary experiences.
The festival opens with Prarambhotsavam, the ceremonial inauguration, underscoring Avakai’s ambition to position Andhra Pradesh as a global cultural destination. Opening performances include Her Frames, Her Fire by Omaggio Performing Company, rooted in Andhra’s Kuchipudi legacy, followed by The Music, Masti and the Magic, a musical created exclusively for Avakai, directed by Sanjoy K. Roy and choreographed by Gilles Chuyen, blending cinematic storytelling with iconic Telugu compositions.
The programme further features Katha Kalakshepam by StoryHour UK, rooted in Telugu folklore, Rasa United by Vanashree Rao presenting Kuchipudi dance theatre, Mehfil e Sukhan, a classical Urdu mushaira curated by Rakhshanda Jalil featuring leading contemporary poets including Azhar Iqbal, Iqbal Ashhar, Khushbir Singh Shaad, Dr Nusrat Mehdi, Dr Mrunalini, Popular Meruthi, Saif Nizami and Sardar Saleem, and Aaj Rang Hai, a special collaboration featuring the legendary Nizami Bandhu with the Anirudh Varma Collective. Hands-on workshops with master practitioners, including Tuhon Aditya Roy, Nathoo Lal Solanki, Shameem and Gilles Chuyen, encourage learning and cultural exchange, while live performances by Javed Ali, Chowraasta, and Jammers add a major musical highlight.
The festival will also host a series of thought-provoking conversations and sessions with leading voices from cinema, literature and journalism. Pure Evil: Anti Heroes of Cinema features bestselling crime writer S. Hussain Zaidi, acclaimed filmmaker Sudhir Mishra and Yandamuri Veerendranath, moderated by senior journalist Balaji Vittal, exploring the psychology and cultural relevance of anti heroes in Indian cinema. The programme also includes Abhilasha- From Novel to Screen, featuring filmmaker A. K. Reddy and Yandamuri Veerendranath, examining storytelling, creativity and purpose across cinema and literature, alongside other discussions on mythology, music, poetry and contemporary narratives.
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