Entrance of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas venue to showcase Karnataka's history

Those who have not heard the musical pillars of the famous Vijaya Vittala temple in Hampi, can see them at the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas from January 7 to 9, at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre. There will six fibre glass models outside Hall Nos. 1 and 2 and at the helipad, where one can hear drum sounds by lightly tapping on the 12-foot pillars. 

Hariprasad G Shetty and his team of 100 creative designers, architects and artists have worked on creating these pillars. “We are trying to showcase as much of Karnataka’s history as possible in just three days. We have divided the whole exhibition centre into sections where we will showcase different styles of architecture of different historic locations of Karnataka,” Shetty, creative director, Events and Exhibitions, Prathiroopi, told DH.

Pre-cast pillars
Nothing much could be seen on ground on Wednesday except for a few pillars. Shetty said that there was nothing to worry as pre-cast pillars are ready and they need to be placed at the right angles, after which final touches will be given. They are waiting for construction work to be over, since dust can mar the art works.

The entrance to the exhibition centre on Tumakuru Road will showcase the Mysuru royal architecture which is the Indo-Saracenic style. The registration entrance will showcase the Hoysala architectural pillars with floral decorations on them, accompanied by a Nandi statue.

Hall No. 3, which is the main hall where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee will address the diaspora, will have two entrances - one for the Prime Minister and President and the other for delegates. There will also be a crafts bazaar at the entrance and the exhibition halls. There will be two Yakshagana mock-ups and floral decorations.