Kadapa, mines and culture-rich district of Andhra Pradesh is all set to celebrate its 200th year of formation with an art extravaganza between Dec 20 and 23.

This Bi-Centenary celebration aims at attracting people from various corners of the country and world, apart from reviving the conscience of its rich heritage among the new generations of localites themselves. Joint Collector and Secretary of Bi-Centenary Celebrations of Kadapa district M Girijashankar, revealed this at a media conference in Bangalore on Saturday.

He said that Kadapa, with various tourist and historical spots would be more interesting to visit during the celebrations. The celebrations are to include multi-faceted cultural programmes including performances by classical dancer Shobana, Indian Idol Karunya and Keertana Gayana, Khavvali and Gazal performances. Mr Girijashankar welcomed the Kannadigas to explore the historical district. He said, Kadapa was the birth place of Tallapaka Annamacharya who composed 32,000 Keerthanas, Mahakavi Yogi Vemana, social reformer poet and women poets like Malla and Thimmakka.

Attractive places to visit include Devuni Kadapa - the famous Lord Venkateshwara Temple, Chand Phira Gumbaz, St Mary’s Cathedral, Ameen Peer Dargah, Pushpagiri - known as seat of arts and literature and the Peetham of Adi Shankaracharya, Gandikota Fort and Vontimitta, said Mr Girijashankar.

For enquiries, contact Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation office on Race Course Road, Bangalore. Ph: 080 - 4113 6373, 98867 74646.