The Hindu : Karnataka News : Panel to be formed to oversee festivals

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Wednesday, Nov 07, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Panel to be formed to oversee festivals

Staff Correspondent

It will organise events such as Mysore Dasara and Hampi Utsav

Officials of various departments to be on the committee
Panel will also have to market the festivals

HAMPI: A standing committee is to be constituted for organising the Hampi Utsav and Mysore Dasara celebrations on a grand scale.

I.M. Vittal Murthy, Secretary, Kannada and Culture, and Information and Tourism, told presspersons here on Tuesday that the officials of all the departments concerned with organising the festivals would be on the committee.

To meet in advance

It would meet at least a couple of months before the festivals to decide on matters such as selection of artistes to give performances. The committee would also take steps to market these cultural festivals at the national and international level to help boost tourism in the State.

The proposal had already been forwarded to the Government, he said and hoped that it would be cleared soon.

Acknowledging that arrangements for this year’s Hampi Utsav began late, due to various reasons, including the elections to urban local bodies, Mr. Murthy, however, did not agree that more importance was being given to organising the Dasara celebrations than the Hampi Utsav. “Mysore Dasara is an established event. The rituals of the royal family are held on a routine basis. In addition to government support, mobilisation of resources is also possible. Steps will have to be taken to improve the infrastructure and mobilise resources in addition to the government grant for the Hampi Utsav,” he said.

According to him, Deputy Commissioner Arvind Srivastav planned to make use of the guesthouse belonging to the Tungabhadra Board, at Kamalapur, to accommodate artistes performing at the festival. The matter would be discussed with the Board authorities soon.

Mr. Murthy said that the Anegundi Utsav would be held in January, and there were plans to organise a national-level art camp in Hampi at the same time.

Golden Chariot

Asked when the Golden Chariot, a special train to take tourists to various destinations in the State would be introduced, he said work on it was nearing completion. The train, with seven-star facilities, would cover Hampi, Belur, Halebid, Shravana- belagola, Badami, Pattadkal and Aihole before reaching Goa. Travel agencies were marketing the product. The trial run of the train was expected to be held during the end of the month, he said.

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