The Hindu : Karnataka News : Singer left high and dry at Hampi Utsav

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Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008
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Karnataka

Singer left high and dry at Hampi Utsav

Staff Correspondent

AFTER AN AGONISING WAIT: Asha Bhonsle at Hampi Utsav on Monday night.

HAMPI: In a case of goof up, M. Venkatesh Kumar, a renowned Hindustani vocalist, had to return without giving his performance on the inaugural day of Hampi utsav, at Hampi on Monday.

This is for the first time in 13 years such a goof up had taken place at Hampi Utsav. L. Subramanyam and troupe, which gave a programme prior to Venkatesh Kumar’s programme, suddenly played the national anthem indicating that all the programmes for the day had come to an end.

Enquiries revealed that the performance by Mr. Venkatesh Kumar was the last programme scheduled for the day on the main stage. Repeated announcements were made about the programme schedule. Mr. Venkatesh Kumar, who was waiting for his turn, was informed that the programmes had been concluded and that Mr. Janardhan Reddy, Minister for Tourism had already left. By then it was 3.30 a.m. What was more surprising was that there were no responsible officers of the Kannada and Culture Department to explain what had happened. A disappointed Mr. Venkatesh Kumar, with no other alternative, left with the other artistes, in a huff.

Earlier, Asha Bhonsle was upset over the in ordinate delay in the commencement of the programme.

As the inauguration function got delayed by over three hours, the cultural programmes also got delayed. Ms. Bhonsle’s programme was the first and was scheduled to begin at around 7 p.m. By the time she was invited on the stage it was 10.30 p.m. Ms. Bhonsle expressed her displeasure on stage. L.K. Advani, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, and Chief MInister B.S Yediyurappa, were present.

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