Forget the whole day programme, the inaugural function was a damp squib.
In the beginning, the venue looked full with audience. But by the time the president of the literary meet Ha Ka Rajegowda started delivering the speech, the only audience were the students of the Adichunchanagiri middle school, who were put to bed by earlier speakers.

The students were forced by the school authorities not to leave the venue. On the dais, the president was accompanied only by past president (of 9th Mandya district Kannada sahitya sammelana) Aa Ra Mitra and president of district Kannada Sahitya Parishat H S Muddegowda. Seer of Adichunchanagiri mutt Sri Balagangadharanatha and legislators left the place much earlier.

The meet had been scheduled to begin at 10.30 am, but by the time the president arrived at the venue after an elaborate procession, it was 1 pm.

Formalities

Later it was formalities like naadagethe, raithageethe, Vedaghosha and Gandhi smruthi songs like “Raghupathi Raghava Raja Ram”. This was followed by speech of politicians, felicitation, showing gratitude, etc.

Even Ha Ka Rajegowda felt bad and said the luke warm response was inevitable in a religious place. He said he would not have voted for a literary meet at a religious place on a