JOIN USSandalwood stars to shine at Belgaum
The Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce has declared a five-day holiday to ensure that artistes and technicians take part in the event.
At a press conference in Bangalore on Monday, KFCC chairman Basanth Kumar Patil said the industry will observe a holiday from March 9 to 13.
On the first two days, artistes and technicians will be busy with the rehearsals for the hour-long cultural programme to be staged at the conference. Music director Hamsalekha is in-charge of cultural programmes and at least 100 actors are expected to take part in the show.
As many as 500 artistes will take part in a procession being organised as part of the conference. They will travel to Belgaum in luxury buses and while returning to Bangalore, the artistes will address rallies at Kittur, Hubli, Ranebennur, Davangere, Chitradurga and some other places to motivate the public to watch Kannada movies.
The government, on its part, has instructed theatres in Belgaum to screen only Kannada movies during the conference.
In reply to a query, Patil said he had not received any confirmation from the government on how much funds it would provide for the cultural events. The KFCC and the government are expected to share the expenditure.
“We expect the government to bear travel and accommodation expenses of artistes, while the rest we will manage. Declaring five days’ holiday is itself a major contribution to the event,” he said.
Hamsalekha said the concept for the cultural programme would be finalised after consultations with a few directors and artistes.
Rs 7.16 crore released
The government has released Rs 7.16 crore for basic infrastructure facilities in Belgaum, said Minister for Urban Development S Suresh Kumar.
Along with Kannada and Culture Minister Govind M Karjol, he held a video conference on Monday with Deputy Commissioner of Belgaum and Commissioner of Belgaum City Corporation on the preparations for the conference.
The Corporation had been asked to hire the services of more pourakarmikas during the conference. The reception committee had arranged accommodation for 50,000 delegates visiting the city during the conference, he said.