Nandi Awards - 1964

Introduction

The Nandi Awards are recognized as one of the most prestigious award categories that were initiated in the year 1964. The primary objective of these awards was to applaud the excellence and exceptional work of celebrities in Telugu Cinema, Television, and Theater, as well as their lifetime achievements in Indian Cinema. 

The Government of Andhra Pradesh established the Nandi awards on an annual basis. The name of the award ceremony was inspired by the historical and cultural symbol of the Telugu people – the big granite statue of Nandi at Lepakshi. The awards were presented in mainly four categories, which were Gold (Swarnam), Silver (Rajatam), Bronze (Kamsyam), and Copper (Raagi).

To encourage the Theater artists, the Nandi Natakotsavam Awards were also launched by the government, which were held every year to encourage poetic dramas based on society and mythology.

Table of Contents

• Table

• History

• Theme

• Categories

• Registrations

• Celebrities

• Schedule

• Conclusion 

Table

History

The aim of these awards was to promote the production of Telugu films with outstanding technical and aesthetic values that is culturally, educationally, and socially relevant and promote the integration and cohesion of the country. This award ceremony was held annually in Ugadi, which is the official Telugu New Year. Since 1998, the delegation of the presentation of the Nandi awards was handed over to the Film Television and Theatre Development Corporation by the Government for its smooth functioning.

The Nandi awards are given to the best films, producers, directors, artists, and technicians in the categories of Feature Films, National Integration Feature Films, Children's Films, Documentaries, Educational Films, and Books/Articles on Telugu Films.

Theme

Here is the theme and list of awards that are conferred in the annual ceremony of the Nandi awards:

Raghupathi Venkaiah Award

This award is given to an eminent film personality for his outstanding contribution to Telugu cinema. This award has been given out since 1980 and was named after Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu.

NTR National Award

This is again an award given to a personality who has contributed immensely towards the growth and development of Indian Cinema. This award was launched in 1996 and is named after the former hon’ble chief minister and actor N. T. Rama Rao, which also comes with a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs and a memento.

BN Reddy National Award

This award is for the best director in Indian Cinema. Named after director B. N. Reddy, this award has been presented annually since 2009. This award comes with a special memento, a cash price of Rs. 2 lakhs, and a shawl

Nagireddy–Chakrapani National Award

This award is given to an Indian film Producer/Writer/Technician/Infrastructure provider for the consistent development of Indian Cinema. This award has been given out since 2009 and is named after the renowned filmmakers, Chakrapani and Nagi Reddi. It also comes with a special memento, a cash price of Rs. 2 Lakhs, and a shawl.

Categories

Gold 

These awards are given out in the following categories:

• Best Feature Films

• Sarojini Devi Award for a Film on National Integration

• Best Children Films

• Best Documentary Films

• Best Popular Feature Film

Silver

These awards are given out in the following categories: 

• Best Actor/Actress

• Best Director

• Akkineni Award for Best Home-viewing Feature Film

• Best Educational Film

Copper

These awards are given out in the following categories:

• Best Cinematographer

• Best Music Director

• Best Male/Female Playback Singer

• Best Screenplay Writer

• Best Lyricist

• Best Story Writer

• Best Supporting Actor/Actress

• Best Audiographer

• Best First Film of a Director

• Best Character Actor/Actress

• Best Male/Female Comedian

• Best Dialogue Writer

• Best Choreographer

• Special Jury Award

Other Categories

• Best Male/Female Dubbing Artist

• Best Book on Telugu Cinema

• Best Villain

• Best Child Actor/Actress

• Best Editor

• Best Art Director

• Best Makeup Artist

• Best Costume Designer

• Best Fight Master

• Best Film Critic on Telugu Cinema

• Best Special Effects

Registrations

Each year, The Andhra Pradesh Government appoints a National Committee that selects the winners. The awards are presented by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh at an awards ceremony.

The eligibility criteria contain several clauses. One of the primary conditions is that the film must be produced in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. If the film is in a co-production with an international or other regional franchise, then several other conditions are considered.

Another eligibility criterion is that the film chosen should be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification to be considered by the jury. The Government has no role in deciding the winners. However, the authorities may keep a vigilant check on who is considered a winner by the jury.

Celebrities

Dasari Narayana Rao

He was an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, lyricist, actor, and politician, mainly in Telugu and Hindi cinema. He holds the world record for directing more than 150 feature films and is given the tagline - Darsaka Ratna, which means Jewel among directors. He has received more than 10 Nandi awards, an NTR National Award, and Raghupathi Venkaiah Award.

Ram Gopal Varma

He is an Indian filmmaker, also known for his memorable work in Telugu cinema, besides Hindi. Ram Gopal Varma was also appreciated as one of the BBC World series Bollywood Bosses in 2004 and was popularly called Bombay's Most Successful Maverick. He is a proud recipient of 7 Nandi awards.

Akkineni Nagarjuna Rao

Popularly known as Nagarjuna, he is an icon in Telugu cinema. He has received 9 Nandi awards which were presented by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Daggubati Venkatesh

Venkatesh debuted in the year 1986 and got his first Nandi Award for the film. In a span of 35 years, he won 7 Nandi awards and many others for his spectacular performances.

Ghattamaneni Mahesh Babu

He works mainly in Telugu cinema and has appeared in more than 25 films. Mahesh Babu has received several accolades for his top performances, including eight Nandi awards.

Amitabh Bachchan

Mr. Bachchan was the star attraction of the Nandi awards – in 2011 when he received the NTR National Film award 2011 from AP Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Chiranjeevi

He has received the Nandi awards 4 times, besides being a proud recipient of several other International, national, and state-level awards. He was also the first actor from South Indian Cinema to be invited to the Oscars ceremony in 1987. Chiranjeevi has received three Nandi awards.

Schedule

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Conclusion

Play

The Nandi awards were one of the most prestigious awards and, to date, are considered a big achievement by celebrities and artists.

However, due to a few controversies, based on negligence, partiality, and casteism, the viability of the awards has been questioned time and again. The Government was quite disappointed with the criticism, and Chief Minister Naidu said that such allegations were least expected. The last Nandi Awards ceremony was held in 2016, after which these awards were discontinued. There is news about re-instating the ceremony under another name, but an official announcement on the same is still awaited.