Kala Ratna
The Kala Ratna earlier Hamsa Award , civilian honor of the Andhra Pradesh state are conferred annually by the Andhra Pradesh Government and organaised by A.P.State Cultural Council and Department of Culture on the occasion of Telugu new year, Ugadi. The awards celebrate achievements by persons of eminence in their chosen fields. The awardees are from the fields of literature, music, dance, painting, sculpture, folk and tribal arts. Along with Kala Ratna awards Andhra Pradesh government presents Ugadi Puraskarams on the same stageThe Award
The awards are presented by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Each award carries an amount of Rs. 30,000, a shawl, a gold plated Hamsa memento.Award winners
The Government of Andhra Pradesh announced 32 names for the year 2015.2016 Awards
The Government of Andhra Pradesh announced 23 names for the year 2016.2017 Awards
The Government of Andhra Pradesh announced 38 names for the year 2017.