The Hindu : Karnataka News : Impressive line-up of stars for Hampi Utsav

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Wednesday, Oct 15, 2008
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Karnataka

Impressive line-up of stars for Hampi Utsav

Staff Correspondent

Many living legends to perform on stage
Mini-cultural festivals planned on October 31

HAMPI: Some of the big names from the world of entertainment will perform at this year’s Hampi Utsav on November 3 to 5.

Asha Bhonsle, Kishori Amonkar, Sonu Nigam, Gazal singer Pankaj Udhas, actor Vasundhara Das, and legendary Ilayaraja will be the star performers. Minister for Tourism and Chairman of the High-Power Committee for Hampi Utsav G. Janardhan Reddy announced this at a meeting convened by him to review the arrangements for the event.

“Hampi Utsav is being held on a grand scale so far. This year, under first BJP Government in South India, headed by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, we want to organise the cultural festival in a special way, in an attempt to recapture the past glory of the Vijayanagar period that would remain evergreen in the minds of people, especially among the connoisseurs of art, dance and music,” he said.

New attractions

Mr. Reddy said that to add glamour to the colourful celebrations, arrangements had been made to bring decorated horses and elephants and men, in soldier dress, would be posted at the main streets of Hampi.

Swapna Sundari, Shobhana Narayan, both classical dancers, Vidyabhushan, M. Venkatesh Kumar, Vinayak Torivi Fakiresh Kanavi (all classical vocalists), Kasturi Shankar, B.R. Chaya and B.K. Sumitra are the top artistes to give their concert at the three-day cultural extravaganza, he said and added that Mr. Yeddyurappa had assured full financial support to the Hampi Utsav.

He said the Tourism Department had planned to organise package tours that would help tourists from different regions to witness the mega cultural event and go around the historical places surrounding Hampi.

To set the mood, a mini-cultural festival would be organised in all taluk headquarters on October 31 by organising processions and holding competitions for farmers, women and children.

Mr. Reddy, who released the banners, posters and other publicity materials on the occasion, said that the light and sound show by the Song and Drama Division of Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, heritage walk, and “janapada kalavahini”, would be organised.

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