JOIN USInstead a massive stage that will bring alive the grandeur of the Vijayanagar empire is being built at the cost of Rs 5 crore. The stage, which is 200 ft long, 100 ft wide and 44 ft tall, is probably the biggest stage ever built in the State.
The government decided against using Basavanna Mantapa as the stage as a large number of people are expected to attend the Utsav this year. Further, people sitting on the structures to watch the programmes can damage the historical site. Keeping these factors in mind, the new stage is being built at the Gayathri Mantapa.
The stage has four levels at 7 ft, 9 ft, 11 ft and 14 ft from the ground level. The main programmes will be staged on the first level. About 250 artistes on the first day and 500 artistes on the final day are expected to use the stage simultaneously. Hubli Shamiana Suppliers have taken the responsibility of building the massive stage using iron and plywood. The concept for the stage was conceived by actor Saikumar and the design has been created by Shashidhar Adapa from Bangalore’s ‘Prathirupi’.
The stage brings together all the popular aspects of Hampi. The entrance to the stage resembles the main door of Anegondi fort. While elephants built with fibre and plaster of paris don the entrance, about 100 pillars line the stage. A maximum of 30,000 people can be seated in front of the stage.