Telangana Governor felicitates Ghusadi dance exponent & Padma Shri award winner Kanaka Raju in a grand manner
Hyderabad, Feb 1: Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan felicitated Ghusadi dance exponent and Padma Shri award winner Kanaka Raju in a grand manner at a special programme organised at the Raj Bhavan community hall, here, on Monday.
A special performance by the Kanaka Raju and his troupe, which was organised as part of the felicitation, thrilled the Governor, who joined them, on their request, for some traditional dance movements.
The Governor and the Tribal Welfare Minister Satyavathi Rathod’s joining the troupe for little dance movements of Ghusadi art form was hugely applauded by the audiences. The Ghusadi dance troupe was overjoyed at the Governor’s gesture in joining them for a while.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan stated that the selection of Kanaka Raju for the Padma Shri award was a huge honour and recognition to our Telangana’s indigenous Ghusadi dance.
She termed the announcement the award to Kanaka Raju was a proud moment for the Telangana State and added that it was a great tribute to our Adivasi tribal dance form.
“Kanaka Raju for all his passion and service in the promotion of Ghusadi dance for the past five decades rightly deserves the Padma Shri award. I thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the Central government for the award to Ghusadi dance exponent,” she added.
The Governor appreciated Kanaka Raju’s efforts in training thousands of youth in the indigenous dance of Ghusadi and thus popularising and ensuring the survival and promotion of the traditional art form.
Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan stated that she was very much interested in the tribal culture, medicine, food habits and their welfare since her college days. “
“During my medical college days, I, along with my husband Dr. P. Soundararajan, went to Andaman islands to study about the tribal culture and their traditional medicines and food,” she recollected her memories.
She pointed out that being the Governor; she was always keen in monitoring the welfare of tribal people and the development of all scheduled areas in the State. Tribal welfare and schedule areas development is one of her special interest areas.
The Governor suggested for the establishment of a special centre to preserve and promote the Ghusadi dance and other tribal art forms.
“Mr Kanaka Raju’s life, his efforts in protecting and promoting the Ghusadi dance and his achievements truly deserved to be in textbooks,” Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan added.
The Governor called for greater research in tribal culture, food habits, and their traditional medicine on scientific lines so as to promote them in a big way.
She called upon the people to rededicate for the cause of preservation, promotion and popularisation of our Telangana’s rich indigenous art forms like Ghusadi and pass on the legacy to future generations.
The Governor stated that it was a great honour to the Raj Bhavan to felicitate Kanaka Raju.
On the occasion, the Governor thanked the Prime Minister for highlighting the Bowenpally market’s vegetable waste to electricity generation plant during his recent Mann ki Baat programme.
Tribal welfare Minister Satyavathi Rathod, who was present at the felicitation, stated that Padma Shri award to Kanaka Raju was a great honour to tribal people in last 70 years.
She, on behalf of all tribal people in the State, thanked the Central government for selecting Kanaka Raju for Padma Shri award.
“We are extremely thankful that Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan takes a special care towards the welfare of tribal people in the State.
The Governor garu is always passionate about the scheduled areas development,” the minister added.
Later, Ghusadi dance troupe led by Kanaka Raju gave an enthralling performance where the Governor and the Minister too joined for a while. The Governor presented the artistes and Kanaka Raju with cash awards and felicitated them.
Governor Husband, eminent Nephrologist Dr. P. Soundararajan, secretary to Governor K. Surendra Mohan, Tribal welfare department secretary Dr. Christina Z Chongthu and others were present. 
