Amaravati–Avakaya Festival Showcases Andhra’s Cultural, Culinary, Cinematic Pride
Naidu said the festival aimed at bringing together the splendour of Andhra cuisine, the cultural ethos of Amaravati and the glorious legacy of Telugu cinema on a single platform
VIJAYAWADA: The Amaravati–Avakaya Festival 2026, reflecting the rich culture and history of Andhra Pradesh, was inaugurated in a grand style here on Thursday by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Naidu said the festival aimed at bringing together the splendour of Andhra cuisine, the cultural ethos of Amaravati and the glorious legacy of Telugu cinema on a single platform.
Addressing the gathering, he said, “Andhra Pradesh is instantly recognised across the world by Avakaya, a symbol of our culinary heritage. Such festivals should be carried forward as a tradition to preserve the pride of the Telugu people and safeguard age-old customs and values.”
The festival features 28 special events and four workshops aimed at promoting culture, food and creative industries.
Highlighting the global appeal of Andhra cuisine, Naidu said, “When one thinks of food, India comes to mind, and within India, Andhra Pradesh stands out for its rich flavours.”
“However, in the recent past, the absence of festivals had dimmed public cheer. When my government assumed office, celebrations such as Vijayawada Utsav and Dasara were revived and elevated to international standards. Earlier, Dasara meant Mysuru or Kolkata; today Vijayawada is equally synonymous with the festival,” he noted.
Referring to Telugu cinema, the CM traced its journey from Bhakta Prahlada to Baahubali, lauding legendary actors NTR, ANR and Sobhan Babu, all of whom hailed from Krishna district. Contemporary stars such as Pawan Kalyan and Balakrishna were taking Telugu cinema to greater heights, he noted.
Praising Krishna district for its entrepreneurial spirit and wealth creation, he observed that hard work had now evolved into smart work. He also expressed pride in Telugu people excelling across the globe, attributing their success to foresight in promoting IT education decades ago.
Outlining the state’s development vision, Naidu said Visakhapatnam would be developed as an AI hub, while green hydrogen initiatives would bring future-ready technologies closer to households. Dispelling fears that AI would reduce jobs, he asserted that tourism and technology would together generate more employment opportunities.
Tourism minister Kandula Durgesh and others participated in the programme.