Heat gets the better of literary enthusiasts

Organisers have made arrangements for supply of adequate quantity of drinking water and buttermilk free of charge. Even a large number of ‘beesaniges’ (hand fans) had to be supplied to the delegates to beat the heat.

Initially, prominent speakers and delegates were reluctant use the hand fans. But were later seen making full use of the hand fans. Well commercialisation was also at its best. One of the companies had hit up upon an idea and promoted the product on the hand fans.

Vendors selling tender coconut, cold drinks, watermelon and sugar cane juice made brisk business in the town on Saturday. Though the turnout of poets and delegates were less compared to the previous events, locals have been taking keen interest and participating enthusiastically.

Sammelana President Geetha Nagabhushan and others had a narrow escape when one of the blades of a fan came down crashing during one of the conferences. Fortunately, it landed in a no-man’s land. As some in the audience shouted for help after the mishap, the power was immediately switched off.

Literary sessions and poets’ meet received very good response on Saturday, and cultural programmes are also attracting crowds. There was brisk business at book exhibition-cum-sale.

Good response

As more people turned up on the second day, the organisers were struggling to cater to their needs. There were complaints of food shortage at some places.  The organisers are bracing themselves up for Sunday, as they expect a huge turn out for the valedictory. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who skipped the inauguration to attend the BJP meet, is expected to be present at the valedictory function of the Sammelana.

Bangalore, the next venue

Bangalore is the venue for the next Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana.
Bangalore, Bellary, and Haveri were the places reportedly competing to host the next Sammelana. But Bangalore was given more weightage as the Sammelana has not been held there since 40 years. The executive committee of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat met here on Saturday, to decide the venue for the next Sammelana. An official announcement was made in the evening.