Mangaluru: The District Administration has been organising the Karavali Utsava continuously for the last three decades. However, speculations are rife that the Karavali Utsava will not be held in Dakshina Kannada District this year.
The Karavali Utsava was a 45-day long event. It was organised in December every year. A cultural programme of local artistes was organised every day on the exhibition stage of the Karavali Utsava Ground. Over the weekend, a national-level artiste’s event was held at Kadri Park, and the closing ceremony was held as a three-day festival at the beach wherein an international artistes’ events were organised. However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Karavali Utsava could not be held for the last two years.
Speaking to News Karnataka, Time and Tide Events, Promotions, Marketing, Public Relations, Media Consultancy Founder and Chief Executive Officer Suresh Rao Kokkada, said that it is doubtful that this the Karavali Utsava will be held this year. Last time, the exhibition was organised by the District Administration as no one had submitted a bid for the exhibition of the 2020 – 21 Karavali Utsava. He informed that there are no basic amenities at the Karavali Utsava Ground. There is no toilet, no drinking water or anything else,” he said.
Usually the State Government releases the grant for Karavali Utsava. The remaining amount will be collected as royalty amount from the tender and donation from private entrepreneurs, he noted.
Speaking to News in Karnataka, Social Activist Yathish Baikampady said, “There is a need to hold Karavali Utsava. It is sad that such festivals are not being held. The Karavali Utsava is a great asset for tourism. If you don’t organise the programme, it’s a big loss. Utsava are held in many Districts. If Karavali Utsav is not organised in Mangaluru which is an integral part of Karnataka, it would not be fair. It is my hope that this time Karavali Utsav will be held,” he said.