Belagavi: Thousands of people welcomed the 71st Karnataka Rajyotsava with fireworks, Kannada songs and patriotic slogans at Rani Chennamma Circle in Belagavi during the early hours of November 1. The midnight celebrations brought together people of different age groups, with Kannada pride taking centre stage in the border city.
Belagavi has a tradition of welcoming Kannada Rajyotsava at midnight, ahead of the morning celebrations held in several other parts of Karnataka. Continuing this practice, Kannada organisations, activists and residents began gathering at the heart of the city on Saturday evening.
As midnight approached, Rani Chennamma Circle was filled with youngsters, women, children and elderly people. The area was decorated with red and yellow flags, creating a festive atmosphere.
Fireworks light up Rani Chennamma Circle
At exactly midnight, fireworks illuminated the sky, officially marking the beginning of the 71st Rajyotsava celebrations. The colourful display was greeted with loud applause, cheers and slogans celebrating Karnataka and its historical figures.
Participants raised slogans in praise of freedom fighters Rani Chennamma and Sangolli Rayanna, remembering their contributions to the region’s history.
The gathering also witnessed strong expressions of regional identity, with participants declaring their support for Belagavi’s place in Karnataka. Slogans asserting that the city belonged to Karnataka reflected the continued importance of linguistic and regional identity in the border district.
The midnight gathering once again highlighted the special significance of Kannada Rajyotsava in Belagavi, where the Karnataka-Maharashtra border issue has remained a sensitive regional matter.
Mayor and deputy mayor join midnight celebrations
Belagavi Mayor Preeti Kamakar and Deputy Mayor Hanumanth Kongali were among the prominent participants at the event.
In a notable development, both joined the midnight Rajyotsava celebrations for the first time. They cut a cake and joined the crowd in dancing to Kannada songs, adding to the festive atmosphere.
DCP Narayan Baramani and Municipal Commissioner Karthik M also participated in the programme. Kannada activists Deepak Gudaganatti, Mahadev Talawar and Wajid Hirekodi were among those present.
The participation of elected representatives, officials and Kannada activists added significance to the gathering, which was organised around the celebration of the state’s language and cultural identity.
Kannada songs keep the crowd dancing
Music was one of the main attractions of the midnight programme. Young men and women danced to popular Kannada songs, turning the gathering into a lively cultural celebration.
Dr Rajkumar’s evergreen song Huttidare Kannada Nadalli Huttabeku received an enthusiastic response from the crowd. Songs featuring Puneeth Rajkumar also drew attention, with participants joining in the celebrations.
The popular Namma Belagavi song further energised the gathering and became one of the highlights of the night.
With DJ music playing, Kannada songs filling the air and red and yellow flags waving across the circle, the celebrations continued until around 1 am.
Belagavi’s special Rajyotsava tradition
Belagavi’s midnight Rajyotsava celebrations are a distinctive feature of the city’s annual observance of Karnataka Formation Day. While official programmes in many parts of the state are held during the morning, residents and Kannada organisations in Belagavi have maintained the tradition of gathering at midnight.
The city’s geographical and political significance has also given the celebrations a distinct character. Located near the Karnataka-Maharashtra border, Belagavi has been at the centre of a long-standing boundary dispute between the two states.
Against this backdrop, Kannada Rajyotsava serves as an occasion for residents and organisations to express their linguistic and cultural identity. The slogans, flags, songs and tributes to historical figures during the midnight gathering reflected that sentiment.
The celebrations at Rani Chennamma Circle offered a vibrant start to the 71st Kannada Rajyotsava in Belagavi, with fireworks, music and public participation bringing the city together to mark the occasion.