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Smashing success
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The Dharwad Zilla Utsav was a resounding success, marked by exuberance and enthusiasm brimming over from everyone, ranging from pandits to schoolchildren
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EXUBERANT The festival had a spectacular line-up
Having relished a cultural treat the previous year, the people of Dharwad and neighbouring districts had many expectations from the Dharwad Zilla Utsav. And the three-day cultural extravaganza held in Hubli, Dharwad and Kundagol (an addition this yea
r) met all those expectations and delivered more. With the added attractions of a film festival, mushaira, qawwali, sufi music performances by young artists, apart from the usual melange of folk arts, dance, music, plays, poetry, painting and sculptures, audiences were keenly waiting for the festival.
The names of the performers of national and international repute like Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt, the Gundecha brothers, Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar and Beereshwar Gautam made the festival even more worth the wait.
The inaugural procession of the festival provided a glimpse of what was in store for the audience. More than 40 folk troupes and 35 tableaux with over 5,000 school children participating, took a four-kilometre procession led by a dozen elegant camels. The colourful showcase of the rich cultural tradition and heritage of the district and the state was just the teaser needed for the real thing.
The response of the art, music and theatre enthusiasts was overwhelming especially at venues like Karnatak College Ground, Mallikarjun Mansur Kalabhavan, Sawai Gandharva Hall. When Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Vishwamohan Bhatt performed till midnight on the inaugural day in Dharwad and Hubli respectively, the halls were jam-packed. Simultaneously, other cultural programmes were going on at nine other venues in Hubli and Dharwad. With programmes going on at 11 venues and exhibitions at nine venues, it was a certainly a difficult time for the people, having to make a tough choice between favourites. Although there was no complaint about the quality of the programmes presented in the twin cities, some Hubliites felt that they had been deprived of a chance to watch the performances of artistes of national repute, as many of them performed in Dharwad only.
Of the several performances across three days, it was the exuberance of the folk troupes, and the enthusiasm of the school and college students that impressed many. The geeta gaana chitra goshti, mushaira, qawwali and Sufi music programmes, introduced in the festival for the first time, were well received. The film festival held as part of the utsav was also appreciated. Theatre enthusiasts had a great time witnessing moving performances like “Kadadida Neeru” by Ranga Bharati, apart from others. Despite the hurdle of language (Sanskrit) — Kalidasa’s “Malavikagnimitram” by Sopanam (Trivandrum) — succeeded in enthralling the audience because of its captivating music, clever use of light and shadow, striking traditional costumes and excellent performances by the artistes.
One of the highlights of the festival was the active participation of various mahila mandals of the region. The members of these mandals defied age and other barriers to present memorable performances of dance, music and skits. The art and sculpture camps held during the festival produced some great pieces.
It was not that the Utsav was restricted to cultural programmes only.
There were some serious literary discussions too. Writers and theatre experts like Satyadev Dubey, K.N. Panikkar, Girish Karnad presented their views at the forum on “Indian Theatre Today” while writers H. S. Venkateshamurthy, C.N. Ramachandran dwelt at length on the “Present trends in Kannada literature”.
The success of the event held on a grand scale for the second year in succession has already made the Government think on the lines of converting it into a state-level cultural festival.
If that happens, the Dharwad Utsav would be an even more eventful the next year round. .
GIRISH S. PATTANASHETTI
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
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