Mysuru: The state government has released Rs 8 Crore for the 83rd Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, which begins on November 24, announced District In-charge Minister H C Mahadevappa.
Disclosing the details, after holding a meeting with officials from the district administration to review preparations for the three-day conference, he said Rs 8 Crore has been released this year out of the total outlay of Rs 10 Crore. The outlay for this year’s annual literary conference is higher compared to last year’s conference held at Raichur, minister confirmed and added, “The district administration had sought Rs 10 Crore for the event.”
Information counters will be opened at city bus station and railway station to guide the invitees to the venue, minister added.
“Initially those in charge of overseeing preparations for the conference had sought Dasara elephants for the inaugural procession of the Sammelana. It has now been decided that a chariot decked with fragrant jasmine (Mysuru mallige) carrying the conference president Chandrashekar Patil and 600 folk artistes and 20 tableaux will lead the pageantry. As many as 5,000 school students too will participate in the procession,” minister revealed.
Decorated bullock carts, horse drawn carriages, 200 women carrying Kalash (a pot filled with water topped with coronet of mango leaves and a coconut) and police band are likely to be part of the inaugural procession.
Some of the city’s arterial roads and key junctions will be specially illuminated in a manner it was done during Dasara celebrations. Prominent government buildings too will be lit up, and the district administration has sought Rs 20 lakh for the purpose. Around 900 civic workers have been assigned to ensure the city remains clean during the conference.
With over 1.5 lakh visitors expected to be in attendance at the event, organisers have decided to set up a temporary healthcare centre at the Maharaja’s College Grounds, which is the main venue for the conference fully equipped to deal with emergencies.
Main stage will host 12 cultural programmes and the remaining 75 programmes are planned at different venues. Out-station and local artistes in equal number will perform between 6 PM and 9 PM to showcase the richness of local tradition and culture for 3 days. The department of information and public relations has decided to reach out to litterateurs through FM radio stations.
The three stages set for the Sammelana will be named after Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, poet Kuvempu and writer De Javaregowda.
Around 1,000 delegates would be housed at the Infosys campus in the city, Assistant Deputy Commissioner T Yogesh said and added, “Private schools, hotels, and wedding halls will be used to accommodate visitors.”
Food counters will be set up at Oval Ground near Crawford Hall, Maharaja’s College and Scouts and Guides Grounds. The menu includes local delicacies Ragi Mudde, varieties of Roti, Bisibelebath, Mysuru Pak, Obbattu, and Millet Payasam. District minister insisted upon the committee to add Jowar Roti to cater to the delegates coming from North Karnataka.
MLA Vasu, Deputy Commissioner D Randeep, MCC Commissioner G Jagadeesha and Mysuru Zilla Kannada Sahitya Parishat chief Y D Rajanna were present.
