Karnataka - Belgaum   

District officials' disrespect `upsets' KNA chairman

Staff Correspondent

Srinivas G. Kappanna says he will register his protest with Deputy Chief Minister

Belgaum: The Karnataka Natak Academy Chairman Srinivas G. Kappanna is "upset," thanks to disrespect shown by the district administration.

Mr. Kappanna, who was scheduled to participate in various functions in the city on Thursday, had come a day in advance to inspect the Kumar Gandharv Rangamandira here after being invited by the Deputy Director of Kannada and Culture Nirmala Mathapati on Wednesday.

However, he was informed that he could inspect the auditorium the next day.

The acoustics of the rangamandir is "poor" and not suitable for conducting any cultural events, such as music concerts and dramas. The district administration has been promising to take up improvement works and ensure proper acoustics so that cultural events can be held at the city's the biggest auditorium constructed in memory of the doyen of Hindustani music Kumar Gandharv.

But, Ms. Mathapati called on him on the phone on Thursday morning and reportedly told him that she had taken ill and was on leave.

She also told him that the meeting with engineers of the Public Works Department will be held at the auditorium at 4.30 p.m.

Accordingly, Mr. Kappanna reached the auditorium at the appointed time only to find that none of the engineers present. Later, Ms. Mathapathi called him up again at around 5.10 p.m. and informed him that the Headquarter's Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner S.M. Sonnad wanted to meet him in his chamber.

Upset and hurt by the disrespect and treatment meted out by the engineers of the Public Works Department and officials in the Deputy Commissioner's office, Mr. Kappanna said he will register his protest with Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash, who also is the Minister for Kannada and Culture.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

District officials' disrespect `upsets' KNA chairman

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu