In drought year, all festivals to be low key

This year, Mysore Dasara will be celebrated without all the fanfare. In view of the severe drought situation, the government has decided to cancel all cultural events in the State.

The Mysore Dasara will be celebrated in a simple and symbolic manner, said Minister for Kannada and Culture Govind Karjol. He was speaking to mediapersons at the JSW airport in Torangal.

The minister was accompanied by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, on the way to Bijapur on Saturday morning.

Last year too, the historic Hampi Utsav could not be held. The Chalukya Utsav, Kittur Utsav, Lakkundi Utsav and all the zilla utsavs will be cancelled due to drought.

Crores of rupees are spent on Dasara utsav every year. This year it will be a low- key affair, the minister clarified.