Sedate start to Hampi festival

CM promises Rs 100 crore each for three years for the Theme Park at Hampi

However, the three-day cultural extravaganza which was inaugurated by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa in the world’s largest open air museum, on Thursday, received lukewarm response.

The Chief Minister delayed the inauguration by two-and-half hours. Yeddyurappa was seen sporting a peta and sword handed over to him by Minister for Health B Sriramulu.

In tune with the occasion, the Chief Minister announced Rs 100 crore each for the next three years for the creation of a ‘Theme park’ at Hampi, an attempt to showcase and popularise the cultural and architectural  richness of the Vijayanagara era.

Budgetary allocation

He further promised to allocate Rs 100 crore for the project in the forthcoming Budget.
“The reign of Sri Krishnadevaraya was referred to as ‘Bhuvana Vijayam’. Kannada literature was nurtured and made greater strides during the period. The 500th anniversary of Sri Krishnadevaraya’s coronation at Hampi was celebrated last year,” he said.

The ‘Theme Park’ will attract visitors  to Hampi, wherein they can soak themselves in the glory and grandeur of Sri Krishnadevaraya. The District Administration should start the work at the earliest, said the Chief Minister.

Yeddyurappa also released a postal stamp to commemorate the golden era of Vijayanagar. Ministers V S Acharya, Govind Karajol, G Janardhana Reddy, B Sriramulu, M P Renukacharya, MLA Anand Singh, noted poet Channaveera Kanavi, Vidyaranya Bharati seer and others participated in the inaugural function.

Dance performances by noted south Indian actor Shobhana was the highlight of the evening.

Sidelights

Poor response to Utsav

The Hampi Utsav, which should have been a memorable event highlighting the grandeur of Vijayanagar Empire, proved a damp squib due to lack of people’s enthusiasm and participation. The first day witnessed less than even 150 people among the audience, including journalists.

Speaking to mediapersons after inaugurating a seminar organised as part of the festival and book release function organised by the Archaeology Department on Thursday, Kannada and Culture Minister Govind Karajol blamed the authorities for not following protocol in inviting distinguished guests and also for delay in printing the invitation cards.
When the press persons asked how justifiable was it to blame the local administration as a high level committee prepares and decides the final content of the invitation in Bangalore, he just said that the mistakes would be rectified.

Anti-tourist attitude

Tourists from North India came in 50 buses. Unfamiliar with the cuisine of the region they resorted to preparing their own food and eating in the open space. The police who did not take kindly to this tried to  disperse the tourists.