Spring Zouk island fest kicks off with a colourful note

International DJs, bands throng St Marys island

''Spring Zouk Island Festival- 2012,'' the first ever India’s island festival, kicked off here at St Mary’s Island on Friday.

According to sources, more than 30 international DJs and 30 bands across the globe are taking part in this three-day event.

The gala event is witnessing the downpour of tourists from many countries and the island is crowded with visitors never like before. MLA Raghupathy Bhat informed media persons that the music festival will facilitate the promotion of tourism potentials in the district besides opening up the culture of the land to the outside world.

A number of traditional folk arts and music programmes would be staged during the three-day international festival. The programme is absolutely one of its kinds which are purely designed to support the idea of tourism development in the area, he added.

Deputy Commissioner Dr M T Reju said the three-day programme is absolutely a international music festival by design, concept and implementation. Most of the DJs are from Europe and South Africa.

The best international bands will be coming here during the next three days. We want Udupi on the world map, however following the results, the district administration will decide whether to allow it to happen next year in Udupi or not. Besides, we also have plans to open up the avenue for the festival in the coming years at Malpe beach and other seaside places. The organisers have been asked to contribute Rs 5 lakhs to Malpe Development Committee to take up development works both at Malpe and St Mary’s island, he added.

The fest is open to all including the local people with the entry fee charged by the organisers. There is an enclosure set up in the area and beyond that visitors are not permitted as usual, he added.
The folk arts staged on the occasion includes ‘Pooja kunita,’ ‘Kangeelu nritya,’ ‘Veeragase nritya,’ ‘Varava nritya,’ ‘Jogate kunita,’ ‘Chennu kunita,’ ‘Gorava kunita,’ ‘Tamate mathu nagari mela,’ ‘Dollu kunita’ and ‘Halakki gowdara suggi kunita’ are among other folk arts performances on the occasion.

Ivo Nachev, an engineer from Bulgaria told Deccan Herald that it is fun being here. The programme is all about music and some people have come here aspiring for more. However, it will be known only after going inside the venue, he added.

Claudia from Peru and Branka from Slovenia have come here to discover new sounds besides good friendly acquaintances. Thierry from Spain said he will join the team and dance. The three day will be absolutely for enjoying and having fun, he added. Marina from Russia has come to the island as performer of fire dance team. She also performs led dance. She came to know about the programme when she was in Goa and she is eagerly waiting to exhibit her talent to the gatherers, she said.

Martin from Spain said he is a frequent visitor to India and he is looking forward to the music festival to be inaugurated so as to get immersed in varieties of bands and drum sets, he added.