It's a long walk to venue, but it'll be worth it

77th Sahitya Sammelana: 400 book stalls have come up

The National College Grounds in Basavanagudi and surrounding areas will be chock-a-block with people. To make matters worse, the organisers have not made parking arrangements near the venue. People attending the literary event will have to park their vehicles on roads far away and walk to the venue.

Except those vehicles carrying VIPs, none will be allowed inside the grounds. The traffic police are allowing parking of two-wheelers on one side of Shankar Mutt Road. Only those vehicles carrying VIPs and guests will be allowed inside the grounds.

Traffic personnel on duty at the venue said that vehicle owners had to find place on the roads parallel to K R Road and bylanes to park their vehicles. They had no answer when it was brought to their notice that finding parking space for four-wheelers on the roadside was difficult. The organisers have not identified any ground nearby to park the vehicles. Because of the ongoing metro rail work on K R Road and construction of underpass at Tagore Circle, space available for parking is minimal.

People residing in Basavanagudi around National College Grounds will have a tough time the next three days because of restriction on traffic movement. The main pandal, named after Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda, can accommodate about 6,000 people. Half of the grounds is occupied by book stalls. As there is only one entrance/exit to the venue, the police may find it difficult to man public entry into the main pandal.

Sahitya Parishat president Nallur Prasad, on Thursday, said he was doubtful whether the seating arrangements would be sufficient. “After seeing the response for the event from different parts of the state, it looks like the turnout will be more than our expectation,“ he said.

From all districts

The organisers are expecting people from all districts. Led by members of the district committees of the Sahitya Parishat, many Kannada lovers will join in the celebrations. Many will attend the event with an intention to buy books. As many as 400 book stalls have been set up at the venue. Many are offering discounts during the event.

The Sammelana is being organised at a cost of about Rs five crore. Besides the State government and BBMP, the State government employees have contributed funds for the mega event.

Food for delegates

A major chain of hotels, which has been given the responsibility to serve food, is expecting a turnout of 60,000 people at the food counters each day. The food arrangements will cost Rs 86 lakh. The Group has hired the services of at least 1,000 people to cook and serve. Around 250 people are engaged in cooking, while the rest will serve. Food will be served only to delegates and guests. The Parishat has made arrangements to serve food at three places - Mahila Samaja, Kote College Grounds and Udayabhanu Grounds. For VIPs, food will be served at Mahila Samaj.

Diary - Day One

* 8.30 am:  Flag hoisting; Home Minister R Ashoka will hoist national flag, Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Nallur Prasad will hoist the Parishat’s flag at Kannada Sahitya Parishat office, Chamarajpet.
* 9.30 am:  Procession of Prof G Venkatasubbaiah, president of 77th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, from Hudson Circle (BBMP head office) to National College Grounds, Basavanagudi, at Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda Mahamantapa, National College grounds, Basavanagudi.
* 1 pm:  Inauguration of the Sammelana by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Adichunchanagiri Mutt seer Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, minister R Ashoka, Union M Veerappa Moily to participate.
* 4.30 pm:  Seminar on ‘Threats to Kannada Community’, Dr P V Narayana, Prof K E Radhakrishna, Sangamesha Savadattimatha, Rangaraja Vanadurga, K Shivasubramanya to participate.
* 6 pm to 9.30 pm: Cultural programmes at Kuvempu Kalakshetra
* 2 pm:  Seminar on recent Kannada literature, Dr C N Ramachandran, Prof V G Nayak, Devu Pattar, Chidananda Sali, Anand Rigvedi to participate.
* 6 pm to 9 pm:  Light music, classical music and Yakshagana, at Mahila Samaja, K R Road.
* 2 pm:  Seminar on Publication Industry in Kannada, poet Dr Siddalingaiah, N Ramesh Udupa, Ramakant Joshi to participate.
* 6 pm to 9.30 pm:  Light music and staging of Kuvempu’s play ‘Shudra Tapasvi’.

For details log on to http://www.kasapa.kar.nic.in