Dharwad Utsav to be annual affair

Dharwad Utsav to be annual affair
Business Standard Reporter / Chennai

(photo source:dharwadutsav.com)
Dharwad November 24, 2006

Egged on by the tremendous success of Dharwad Utsav and the response from the cultural circles and people at large, the Dharwad district administration has decided to make Dharwad Utsav a regular annual feature.

Dharwad Deputy Commissioner M S Srikar, who spearheaded the Dharwad Utsav-2006, said a good beginning had been made in the Suvarna Karnataka year and from next year onwards the festival will be on a still larger scale on the lines of Mysore Dasara, Bangalore Habba and Hampi Utsav.

For the funds, he said sponsorship from the corporate sector and the government will be sought. The three-day Dharwad Utsav-2006 was held on November 17, 18 and 19 was a grand success.

“The aim was to create a brand image and it has been proved that we have the capacity to organise the event in a grand manner,” said Srikar.

The state government had sanctioned Rs 15 lakh for the three-day Utsav being held after seven long years. The festival offered a veritable treat to the people with a series of events to showcase the spirit of Dharwad.

Actor Naseeruddin Shah hogged the limelight with his performance in his play 'Ismat Apa Ke Naam' based on the life of the Urdu short story writer Ismat Chughtai.

The events were held simultaneously at 13 venues in Dharwad and Hubli. Dance, drama, music, painting, art exhibition, folk, seminars, poetry meet, mimicry and processions added colour and fervour to the festival.

It proved to be a people's festival with a large number of people thronging the venues on all the three days.

Leading litterateurs, dancers, musicians, painters and artistes participated in the festival. The twin cities wore a festive look with buildings and monuments being illuminated.

An exhibition of musical instruments and photographs at the residence of Hindustani exponent Gangubai Hanagal in Deshpande Nagar of Hubli was a big hit.

The festival, besides providing a feast to the connoisseurs also provided a platform for talented youngsters to prove their mettle.

The Karnatak College grounds provided a perfect venue for the events in the backdrop of the imposing monumental main building, which was illuminated.