Every year, the Madras Craft Foundation honours a folk performing artiste with the special DakshinaChitra Virudhu award for lifetime achievement in folk performing arts. Instituted and sponsored by the Friends of DakshinaChitra, the DakshinaChitra Virudhu recognises both the artiste’s excellence in a folk performing art and his efforts in sustaining and promoting the art form.

This year, the Madras Craft Foundation felicitated Urumu Naganna of Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, with the prestigious DakshinaChitra Virudhu. An accomplished storyteller and musician, Naganna belongs to the tradition of drummed narrative performers of Andhra Pradesh. Naganna has also organised the drummers of his region into an association, thus providing assistance in keeping the unique art form alive and vibrant. 

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The DakshinaChitra Virudhu 2007 was presented to Naganna on Saturday, March 10, 2007, at DakshinaChitra (ECR, Muttukadu). Dr M D Muthukumaraswamy, director, National Folklore Support Centre, felicitated Naganna and introduced and interpreted the art form for the public. The felicitation was followed by a special performance by Naganna.

On the occasion, Dappu dancers from Andhra Pradesh also performed. 

R Rangaraj