State culture, tradition comes alive at Madikeri literary meet

The cultural diversity of the State coupled with the Kannada patriotic fervour filled streets of the city during the grand procession, in which the president of the 80th Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana Na D’Souza was taken from Gandhi Maidan to Field Marshal Cariappa College grounds on Tuesday.

Na D’Souza along with his wife Philomena were waving at the crowds throughout the procession.

The volunteers who led the procession shouted slogans in favour of Kannada. Some of the slogans included ‘Kannada naadu-nudige jayavagali,’ ‘Kannadave nithya, Kannadave Sathya,’ ‘Kannada, Kannada, Kannada, Banni namma sangada...’

Over 2,000 Sthree Shakthi Group members added colours to the procession. They were followed by ‘Huliyat’ of Chamarajanagar district, stunt in fire by artistes of Kalabhairava folk team from Mandya. Among the other art forms Gombe Balaga of Belthangady, Yakshagana of Subrahmanya artistes, Karadi Majalu of Koppala and others gave a glimpse of the State’s varied folk art forms.

The procession passed through Gandhi Maidan-CMC-Private bus shelter-Chowki-College Road before culminating at Field Marshal K M Cariappa College maidan.

The volunteers wore yellow T-shirt with the emblem of the sahitya sammelana. Kodagu district Kannada Sahitya Parishat President T P Ramesh, MP H Vishwanath, District-in-Charge Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, MLC M C Nanaiah, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike President Narayana Gowda, former minister B T Lalitha Nayak among others were in the procession.

Confusion

Owing to ill health, Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Pundalika Halambi was not part of the procession. When district unit president climbed the chariot along with Na D’Souza, a few objected to it.

Kodava artistes

The procession also provided a glimpse of folk art forms of Kodagu including that of Kodava, Arebhashe Gowda and tribal community members. Clad in Kodava traditional dress, women and men showcased gun and ‘Odikathi.’ The tableaux on Field Marshal K M Cariappa, and General Thimmaiah was presented by Kodava Samaja. A boy dressed in Guddemane Appayya Gowda stole the attention of the onlookers.

The artistes also presented ‘Chinidudi,’ Kolat, ‘Ummathat’ and ‘Bolakat’ on the occasion.
Kodlipete Kannada Sahitya Parishat unit presented a tableaux on wild elephant and tiger menace. Bantara Samaja presented a tableaux on ‘kambala.’