Situated in the heart of Anantapur district, where Mahatma Gandhi once stirred the spirits of freedom in the people with his inspiring speech during the struggle for independence, the Lalithakala Parishad Auditorium has consistently brought joy to the community. It serves as a sanctuary for the fine arts, nurturing and celebrating the talents of numerous artists, including those who have received accolades from the Parishad.
Established in 1954, the Lalithakala Parishad owes its inception to a remarkable freedom fighter, Kallur Subbarao who was born on 25 May 1897, in Kallur, Lepakshimandal of Anantapur district. Subbarao exhibited leadership qualities from a young age. His first brush with imprisonment occurred in 1921 when he was arrested and spent a year in the Allipura camp jail. In 1932, he was once again sentenced to a year in confinement. In 1946, he was elected to the Constituent Assembly from the Madras Legislative Assembly. He retired from politics in 1967 and was honored with the Padma Shri by the government as a symbol of his commitment to nonviolent activism. He passed away on December 20, 1973.
In 1954, "Sri Kallurisubba Rao Lalithakala Parishad" was established to commemorate Gandhi's 'Harijanoddharana Yatra' during the freedom struggle. Initially conceived as a centre for music and dance training, the Parishad's early leadership included eminent figures of the time such as Roddamraja Rao, Roddam Hanumantha Rao and Bellari Raghavacharyu. Roddam Hanumantha Rao served as the first secretary, while the collector held the position of president. Since its inception, the Lalitha Kala Parishad has evolved, continually showcasing a diverse array of fine arts performances at its Auditorium, drawing audiences in the hundreds of thousands. The Parishad's Natakmandali has proudly secured 8 state-level Nandi awards.
It is indisputable that KalluriSubbarao's legacy lives on, as the Lalitha Kala Parishad continues to stand as a platform for music, literature and dance arts, embodying the spirit of a man who dedicated his life to the welfare of the people.
Kallurisubba Rao
Source: Somisetty Sarala, Contributor for CCRT