Karnataka   

Hampi Utsav ends

HAMPI: Hampi Utsav, a three-day cultural festival of dance, music and drama held annually at the erstwhile seat of the Vijayanagar Empire, came to an end on Monday, after enthralling thousands of connoisseurs of art and music.

There was a sampling of classical and folk music, classical and folk dance, drama, art, photo exhibitions and literature.

For the first time, people from the nomadic tribes were given an opportunity to exhibit their cultural talents. Compared to the previous years, the gathering appeared to be a bit smaller on the inaugural day but gradually swelled during the next two days.

With the utsav being held without the presence of the Chief Minister and other Ministers owing to the Assembly being placed under suspended animation, the usual buzz of the movement of VVIPs and their vehicles was missing. But this in no way affected the grandeur of the cultural extravaganza.

Among those who performed were Hariharan, ghazal singer; Hamsalekha, music director; Anuradha Paudwal, bhajan and playback singer; Ganapati Bhat, Hindustani vocalist; the Balekhan Brothers, ‘pancha sitar’; Sridhar and Anuradha Sridhar, dance; Mayarao and troupe, ballet; and Narasimhalu Wadwati and Mysore Manjunath, clarinet and violin jugalbandi.

When Ms. Paudwal began her programme, it was around 11.45 p.m., and she expressed her happiness at the large number of people waiting to listen to her sing.

Dramas, staged near the Sasivekal Ganesh, which went on till early in the morning, got a good response.

‘Janapada Vaividhya’, folk dances by cultural troupes from various regions, held the audience spellbound.

‘Janapada Kalavahini’, a procession of folk troupes, taken out on the last day prior to the valedictory function, the display of fireworks and tribal art added more colour to the festival.

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