1. Dr. Velu Anandachari is widely recognized across the world for his pivotal role in “Traditional Temple Sculpture” and “Temple Architecture of India”.
2. Born on 1st June, 1952 in Vennampally village of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Velu received his sculpture Training Certificate from SV Training Centre for Sculpture, TTD, Tirupathi from 1972 to 1975 and obtained B.A. Degree from Andhra University, Waltair in 1986 by pursuing Distance Education. He also pursued M.A. Degree in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archeology from Osmania University at Hyderabad during 1994–95. He worked as a Skilled Assistant (Teacher) in Silpa Kalasala which was run by the Endowments Department, from 1975 to 1978 and also worked as Assistant Stapathy under Srisailam Submersible Transplantation of Temple Project Works from 1978 to 1980. He had also designed and implemented the Stone Temple Reconstruction Works.
3. Dr. Velu worked as an Assistant Stapathy from 1982 to 1989 in Endowments Dept. in the combined state of A.P. He undertook many prestigious temple projects i.e., Dhumetha Purnima Project (Hussain Sagar), Srisailam Devasthanam Fort Wall, Yadadri Temple Construction and many more Temple Constructions and Re-construction of Temple Works with Sculptural works. From 1990 to 2008 he worked as a Deputy Stapathy in the Endowment Department in the combined State of A.P. and successfully completed duly supervising all his projects. He retired as Stapathy Advisor from Endowment Department Government of Andhra Pradesh.
4. Dr. Velu acquired the Chief Stapathy post in the Government of AP from 2009 to 2010. He is the first person in the Telugu Region to achieve this milestone. He was appointed as a Member of the Technical Advisory Committee, Government of AP and worked in a dedicated manner in all his work. Dr. Velu, who worked at Yadadri Temple, a huge and prestigious project, was appointed as an Additional Advisor Stapathy and completed the gigantic project work in the year 2022.
5. Dr. Velu worked as one of the Editor and imparted his services as a full-time work in publishing “The temple Architecture” in Telugu known as “Kasyapan” and “Mayamata Silpa Grandam” from 2011 to 2013.
6. Dr. Velu is the recipient of numerous awards and honours from district level to Global level. He has been conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degree by Religious Architecture and Construction of methods from United Theological University, U.S.A., branch Secunderabad in 2018. He got Gold Medal in All India Amateur Painting Competition in 1987. Navarang Chitra kalaniketan, A.P. honoured him on the occasion of 4th Telugu World Conference held at Tirupathi in 2002. He was honoured with “Ugadi Puraskar” by the Honourable Chief Minister in the years 2002, 2008, 2013 and 2023 and also received State Award “Hamsa Puraskar” with Kala Ratna Certification in 2013 for his excellence in sculpture works.
The Velusthapathi Puraskar is a prestigious award instituted to honor individuals or organizations demonstrating exceptional dedication to preserving and promoting the rich spiritual, cultural, and historical legacy associated with Velusthapathi traditions.
Dr. Velu Anandachari is widely recognized across the world for his pivotal role in “Traditional Temple Sculpture” and “Temple Architecture of India”.
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