Lalbagh flower show to be themed on Kuvempu

This Independence Day, the world of Rashtrakavi Kuvempu will come alive in Lalbagh. The annual flower show will be on the theme ‘Kuvempu Malenadu’ to commemorate the 50th year since the Rashtrakavi was awarded the Jnanpith award for ‘Sri Ramayana Darshanam’.

The flower show is organised by the department of horticulture, Mysore Horticultural Society, Kannada Development Authority, Kannada and Culture department and Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Pratishtana.

Flowers and fruits will be used to recreate Kuvempu’s house in Kuppalli, Shivamogga, which has been converted into a museum. Kavishaila, the hill near his childhood home, where the poet drew inspiration for many of his works, will also be recreated in the garden.

Joint director of the horticulture department, Dr Jagadish said, “We will create a replica of the majestic Jog Falls here and next to it, we will display the verses written by Kuvempu about the falls. We are trying to create a mini-Malnad here.”

Manuscripts of major works by Kuvempu, such as ‘Sri Ramayana Darshanam’, ‘Kanooru Subbamma Heggadithi’, ‘Malegalalli Madumagalu’, will be on display. “We will also create models of Kuvempu’s memorial in Kavishaila and of his famous portrait, in which he is sitting on a chair,” Dr Jagdish said.

He said models of Kuvempu’s house and Kavishaila have already been prepared in thermocol and lakhs of Dutch roses will be used for the flower replicas.

Outside the Glass House, cultural events related to the Rashtrakavi will be hosted. Readings of ‘Sri Ramayana Darshanam’ and poetry recitals will be organised in the Marigowda Memorial Hall.