Simha' top name for Telangana film awards

Hyderabad: The committee hunting for a suitable name for the Telangana state film awards has recommended “Simha” as the title. Simha, meaning lion, is linked to Lord Narasimha, the presiding deity of the Yadadri temple. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will have the final say on the name.

Besides Simha or Simham, the names of Kakatiya Thoranam of Warangal, Palapitta (Indian roller or Blue Jay, the state bird), Nemili (peacock) and a few other names are also under consideration.

A source said, “Initially we had planned to have the awards ceremony on Ugadi, but it was subsequently decided to present them on Dasara,” the source said. The government does not want to retain the old name, Nandi,  for the film awards; it was awarded in undivided Andhra Pradesh since 1964. Nandi was named after the famed granite bull of Lepakshi in Anantapur district in AP.