PUTTING HEADS TOGETHER: Minister for Textiles Appasaheb Pattanashetti addressing a meeting to discuss plans for the Navraspur Utsav.

BIJAPUR: At a meeting called by Minister for Textiles Appasaheb Pattanashetti here on Saturday to discuss plans for the Navraspur Utsav, the annual art and cultural festival, it was decided to hold the event in the first week of April instead of in March as announced earlier.

It was also decided to begin the three-day utsav on the same day every year, as is done in the case of the Hampi Utsav, as this would help promote tourism.

A lot of suggestions were made at the meeting, which was attended by writers, artistes and members of organisations. However, there was division with regard to the choice of venue for the cultural events of the festival.

S.M. Madivalar of District Madivala Kshemabhivriddhi Sangha suggested that the programme could be held at Navaraspur, a musical complex built by Ibrahim Adil Shah II at Torvi on the outskirts of the city, on the first day, as the utsav had been named after it.

On the second and third days, the programme could be held on the premises of Gol Gumbaz and Gagan Mahal, he said.

Adivappa Salagal and Anand Audi of Dalit Sangarsha Samiti, senior writer Kanchyani Sharanappa, and Vijayalakshmi Yarnal, an educationist, echoed the opinion. Mr. Sharanappa said that this would help develop Navaraspur as the cultural centre of the district.

However, socialist leader Appasaheb Yarnal said the programmes should only be held on the premises of Gol Gumbaz and Gagan Mahal as they were in the heart of the city and more people, especially women, would be able to attend. The inaugural function could be held at Navaraspur as was the practice, he said. Many supported his view.

Former chairman of the Bijapur Urban Development Authority Riyaz Faruqui urged Mr. Pattanashetti to ensure that the Union Minister for Tourism inaugurated the utsav, as more funds could then be sought from the Union Government for the development of tourism in the district.

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