VIZAG Fest 2015, organised as part of the 21st Party Congress of CPI(M), drew a large number of people belonging to different age groups and sections. The festival, an exhibition reflecting the development of Visakhapatnam and north coastal Andhra, their literary, cultural, and fine arts aspects, along with seminars, literary sessions, and a book exhibition, was held at Andhra University Engineering College ground from April 10 to April 19. Those who witnessed the magnificent events at the fest were conquered by its uniqueness and grandeur. It is estimated that around 2,00,000 people visited the fest. The festival was conceived by a galaxy of progressive organisations like Jana Vignana Vedika, Sahithi Sravanthi and Sarada Trust to display the social, cultural, economic fabric of northern Andhra Pradesh districts. The festival organising committee had K V Ramana, former vice-chancellor of Andhra University, as chairman, MLC M V S Sharma and writer Ramathreetha as vice-chairmen, A Ajay Sarma as secretary, and N Sudhakar as treasurer. K V Ramana unveiled the logo of Vizag Fest. Vizag Fest was formally inaugurated on April 10 by Andhra Pradesh education minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao. A festive atmosphere prevailed at the AU Engineering College grounds. There were books stalls, food stalls, science and educational stalls and thematic exhibition of rare pictures from history. Speaking at the inaugural event, Chairman of Vignan Educational Institutions L Rattaiah underlined the need for protecting traditional Indian values and culture. He appreciated the traditional and folk culture on display at the festival. Participation of cultural troupes from Telangana was an indication that though the state was physically bifurcated, Telugu people were united, Rattaiah said. The venue was named ‘Gurajada Sahithi Vedika’, after the great litterateur Gurajada Appa Rao. Literary sessions were held as part of the festival from April 11 to April 18. Street plays and folk dances by over 60 folk artistes, science exhibition for schoolchildren, magic shows, dance shows by youths, comedy shows and competitions in poetry, short films and photography exhibition were major attractions. Plays were staged at Kalabharathi Auditorium, while science expos and magic shows were held at AU Grounds. Actors Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Vizag Prasad and Paruchuri Gopala Krishna, and prominent people like Kondapalli Koteswaramma and Nalluri Venkateswararao attended and participated in various programmes. GITAM University president M V V S Murthy inaugurated the Cultural Pavillion. Children performed a dance show, ‘Maha Visakha Vaibhavam’. It was written by A S Joga Rao, senior journalist, and presented by Natraj Music and Dance Academy. Communal harmony in Visakhapatnam, represented by temple, mosque and church, which were constructed on a single hill, formed the backdrop of the dance. The book pavilion had 200 stalls displaying a wide range of books. The Telugu Academy offered 50 per cent discount on some of the books at the exhibition. Story books for children, novels, educational books, CDs, Tablet PCs for students and books on different subjects are on display. Earlier in the run up to Vizag Fest, a ‘Walk for Books’ was organised in which writers and the general public participated. Telugu daily ‘Andhra Jyothi’ editor K Srinivas flagged off the walk. He underlined the need to read books before judging their quality. The walk, which began at Swarna Bharathi Stadium, concluded at the venue of Vizag Fest. The Bipin Chandra Book Exhibition, jointly organised by Visakha Book Fest, Andhra University and National Book Trust, registered a large number of footfalls. A thematic exhibition on Indian culture, heritage and history with charts and photographs on display was a must see for those who wish to take a peek into the hoary past of our motherland. Youngsters were seen capturing the rare pictures on their smart phones. A boy was seen capturing the text of Lord Macaulay’s address to British Parliament (February 2, 1835) in which he had talked about the moral values, culture and calibre of Indians. A photograph of Mahatma Gandhi being thrown out for travelling in the first class coach of a train in South Africa, the cultural influences of various dynasties on Indian culture, Buddhism, Jainism would kindle the interest of younger generation on the freedom struggle and the sacrifices made by our national leaders to free India from the British rule. There were stalls put up by public sector organisations, commercial stalls selling a wide range of household goods, clothes, native medicines for various ailments and stalls by automobile companies. In the C V Raman Science Exhibition, around 300 young scientists displayed their inventions and tried to share their experiences with vast student community. The science and education section drew scores of visitors. Students of Andhra Medical College displayed specimen and charts on the functioning of the human body, diseases and self care in diabetes and explained to the visitors on various aspects of health. Students of various engineering colleges put up working models of automobiles. Apart from many models put up by students of engineering on working of plants and other systems, the Jana Vignana Vedika focused on demonstrations to dispel myths and superstitions. Students were taught how to dip a hand in hot oil without injuring themselves in a bid to dispel the myth around such ‘miracles’ staged by charlatans and fake godmen to hoodwink people. The magic show caught the attention of the young and the old alike. A series of seminars were organised on various contemporary issues. Another festival was organised at Gajuwaka RTC grounds from April 10 to April 18 where various cultural activities took place. Vizag Fest also drew a large number of foreigners. Youths from Kenya, South Africa, Britan also visited Vizag Fest and conveyed their appreciation to the organisers. Prominent people from the fields of literature, arts and film were felicitated as part of the event. 1,200 artists pertaining to Praja Natya Mandali showcased their performances in the Vizag Fest. Sri Suddala Ashok Teja, famous cine writer, recalled his childhood days while addressing in the Cultural Forum in the Vizag Fest. He participated in the activities of Praja Natya Mandali since his childhood. Praja Natya Mandali is in my blood, he remarked, while honouring Sri KKL Swamy, Nandi Award recipient. Folk artiste and lyricist Gorati Venkanna, looking at the enthusiastic response to the book festival and literary events organised as part of the Vizag Fest, said that it was heartening to see books getting such patronage in the age of cell phones and other gizmos. It only goes on to prove the strength of the printed word. End of patronage for books and literature would mark the end of civilisation, he said. Uttarandhra has many poets and writers and many of them were writing and discussing socially relevant issues, Venkanna said, adding Gurajada Appa Rao from Uttarandhra continues to be the source of inspiration for writing on social issues. Overall, the Vizag Fest with the tag line “Spirit of Vizag” ignited the spirits of Vizagites and drew accolades from all visitors. It rejuvenated the mood of the people whose morale was at its nadir after the massive destruction caused by last October’s Cyclone Hudhud.