University of Hyderabad to honour 25 Oggu Katha artists

The University of Hyderabad will honour 25 Oggu Katha artists from across Telangana on August 23 for preserving the State’s folk heritage. The programme will also feature an English documentary on Oggu Katha, folk music and a Bathukamma workshop.

Hyderabad: The Centre for Folk Culture Studies, University of Hyderabad, and Centre for Folklore Studies and Research, in collaboration with the Student Union, University of Hyderabad, and ZEE Institute of Media Arts (ZIMA), Kondapur, are organising ‘Oggu Katha Universe 2025 Honours’ on August 23 at the Savithri Bai Phule (DST) Auditorium, University of Hyderabad.

The programme will honour 25 Oggu Katha artists from across Telangana, recognizing their contribution, artistic excellence and lifelong commitment to preserving and transmitting the state’s traditional folk heritage across generations.

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Prof Joly Puthussery, Head, Centre for Folk Culture Studies, said the event is an effort to recognise folk artists as custodians of Telangana’s living cultural heritage and to create greater awareness about the importance of preserving these traditions for future generations.

The event will also premiere ‘Gods In The Voice’, the first English documentary film on Oggu Katha, designed and directed by Dr Kumara Swamy G, Head, ZIMA, apart from ‘Telangana Folk Beats’ – a live folk orchestra by Telangana Samskruthika Sarathi Artists. A Bathukamma Workshop by TSS Folk Artist Mitta Soumya will also be conducted.