The stage is set for the second Vishwa Kannada Mela (World Kannada Meet) beginning here on March 11. The three-day cultural and linguistic extravaganza is expected to attract over 100,000 people from across the country besides 300 NRIs.
The sugar bowl of Karnataka is wearing a festive look with the main roads being recarpeted and walls painted with colourful artwork depicting the cultural heritage of Karnataka. The major government and private buildings are set to be illuminated.
The festivities will commence with a grand procession comprising cultural tableaux from each district in the state from Veera Soudha (the venue of Congress session in 1924). Home minister R Ashok will inaugurate the procession at 9.30 am. It will culminate at the district stadium at 2 PM. Fifteen venues have been prepared to host various activities. The inaugural function will be held at the district stadium where Infosys mentor N R Narayan Murthy will inaugurate the meet at 5 pm.
In all, 5,700 artistes, including 3,100 from North Karnataka, 2,600 from other parts of the state and 80 from abroad will entertain the audience during the meet. Music, dance, drama, folk arts, Yakshagana and other forms of art will be on display. Actor and former MP Anant Nag and his wife Gayatri will inaugurate the film festival at Belgaum and Nippani.
Meanwhile, the state government has decided to operate a chartered plane from Bangalore to Belgaum on March 11 to facilitate the dignitaries taking part in the World Kannada meet. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Infosys mentor N R Narayan Murthy, poet G S Shivarudrappa, U R Anant Murthy, K S Nissar Ahmed, actors Bharati Vishnuvardhan, Sudha Murthy, Union ministers Veerappa Moily, Mallikarjun Kharge, former CM Kumaraswamy, leader of the opposition Siddramaiah, Speaker K G Bopaiah and others will be in the special flight.
A special train has also been arranged from Belgaum to Bangalore on the night of March 13.
