Dharwad Utsav, the cultural extravaganza, is back after a gap of one year. The four-day Utsav showcasing the cultural heritage of the region will be held at different venues from January 22. The district administration has made elaborate arrangement for successful conduct of the Utsav.
Rural development and panchayat raj minister Jagadeesh Shettar who is also the minister in-charge of the district told reporters here that Dharwad Utsav-2011 will be held at 16 venues in twin cities and also in Annigeri, Navalgund, Kalghatagi and Kundgol.
The idea behind organising the events at taluks is to provide a platform for the local artistes to show their talent and enable the art lovers in rural parts to see and listen to the performance by artists of national and international repute.
Nearly, 2,500 artistes will perform during the four-day cultural festival. Events like music concerts folklore art, dance, seminars, dramas, exhibition for children, poetry, painting and food mela will be held simultaneously at the 16 venues.
Karnatak College ground, Alur Venkatrao Bhavan, Srujana Ranga Mandir, Samskruthika Samucchaya,, Karnatak Vidyavardhakh Sangha, K C Park, Sadhanaker Lakei, Dr Veerendra Heggade Kalakshetra in Dharwad and Sawai Gandharva hall, Siddharoodh Mutt, Chandramouleshwar temple and Nruputunga Betta in Hubli will be the venues.
Besides stages would also be put up at Navalgund, Kalghatagi, Kundgol and Annigeri, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa will inaugurate the Utsav at the sprawling ground of Karnatak College with the monumental college main building in the background on January 22 at 6 PM.
This year’s additional attraction would be introduction of competitions in rural sports such as wrestling, and bullock cart race among others.
The Utsav could not be held during 2009 and 2010 due to flash floods in North Karnataka. Shettar said, the total expenditure of the four-day event stands at Rs 60 lakh. The State Government has allotted Rs 30 lakh, while the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation has contributed Rs 25 lakh. The remaining Rs 5 lakh will be generated through other sources.