Government to hold Hoysalotsava this year too

Rs 30 lakh released by govt, popular singers likely to participate

Animal Husbandry, Sericulture and District In-charge Minister A Manju announced that the annual Hoysalotsava will be celebrated in the district from April 1 to 3.

He said that the event, which was celebrated after a gap of 10 years, last year had evoked good response and hence, the government had decided to continue it this year too. The festival will be held at Halebeedu, Belur, Hassan and Ramanathapura.

There are plans to invite popular playback singers like S P Balasubramaniam and Archana Udupa. As Karnataka Sugama Sangeetha Parishat will hold a national-level convention at the same time, both the programmes will be associated.

The government has already released Rs 30 lakh for the festival to ensure good arrangements, he stressed.

Manju directed the deputy commissioner and other officials to make necessary preparations in this regard. The first round of talks have been completed and sub-committees will be formed soon.

Y K Muddukrishna of Sugama Sangeetha Parishat explained that earlier, there were plans to hold the convention in Udupi. As there was no proper response from the authorities concerned there, it was decided to hold it in Hassan.

The programmes will be held at Kala Bhavan from April 1 to 3. Hundreds of musicians from across the State, writers and others will participate, he said.

Mahamastakabhisheka

Speaking about the Mahamastakabhisheka, scheduled to be held in Shravanabelagola in the year 2018, Manju said, “A high-level committee, headed by IAS officer Rakesh is being constituted who will be in-charge of the religious event.”

All preparations to host the event will be made and a meeting with the department of Archaeology and Museums will be held to discuss introduction of cable cars to reach the hilltop.

The Janivarakere near Shravanabelagola will be developed, Manju added.