The Hindu : Karnataka News : Government invites corporate houses to promote folk arts

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Thursday, Jan 24, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Government invites corporate houses to promote folk arts

Special Correspondent

50th edition of Janapada Jatre on Saturday and Sunday

Bangalore: Emphasising that cultural events such as Janapada Jatre have given a new impetus to the cultural outlook of the Government, Principal Secretary, Kannada and Culture, I.M. Vittalamurthy has suggested the corporate houses in the State to support the cause of propagating and promoting folk arts.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Vittalamurthy said that it would be wrong to expect the Government alone to take up the cause of cultural events such as the jatre for ever.

It was time the corporate houses in the State realised the cultural potential and social objectives of the jatre and promoted the event in the larger interest of the State, he said.

The Department of Kannada and Culture had been asked to hold talks with major information technology industries such as Infosys and Wipro in this regard. However, the Government would continue to hold the event regularly, he added.

Referring to the genesis of the jatre during the Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition Government, he said that despite initial hiccups, the event gained momentum and got overwhelming response.

Although the Government was constrained to suspend the event for some time, its 50th edition would be held on Saturday and Sunday in the city, he added.

The Government was happy to note that the jatre had helped over 4,000 rural folk artistes forge their cultural identity and earn some extra money in the course, he said.

The 50th edition of the jatre will be held at the St. Aloysius Pre-University College grounds in Ulsoor on the two days. Jnanpith award winner U.R. Ananthamurthy would felicitate senior folk artistes, he said.

Books

The Government would release over 100 books, specially selected to represent the Suvarna Karnataka year, here on Thursday, Mr. Vittalamurthy said.

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