The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Funding for habba questioned

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Friday, Dec 05, 2008
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Funding for habba questioned

Special Correspondent

The festival has been dubbed as elitist
It provides local artistes exposure, says organiser

BANGALORE: Bengaluru Habba 2008, which was deferred by the State Government hours before it was scheduled to take off at Ravindra Kalakshetra here on Thursday for security reasons, has been criticised by certain quarters for a variety of reasons, including State funding for an “elitist” cultural event in times of economic recession.

The chorus of opposition to Bengaluru Habba’s sixth edition appeared to have grown louder after Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao announced a grant of Rs. 2.5 crore and the Government’s readiness to adopt the event organised by Artistes’ Foundation For Arts (AFFA), a private organisation, as one of the flagship festivals of the State.

Conceived to celebrate the spirit of Bangalore by promoting local talent, Bengaluru Habba events are perceived to have lost their sheen and participatory appeal with even major concerts drawing empty houses in the previous years. Having failed to enthuse the people, the festival has been dubbed as “elitist” by certain sections.

Theatre person Shashidhar Adapa pointed out that the response for the festival from the people has been limited. “Very few turn up for the events organised in parks and auditoria. Not only at parks even at a large auditorium such as Town Hall, the audience does not cross a few hundreds,” he said citing from his experience.

“When the Government spends money on State festivals such as Hampi Utsav or Mysore Dasara, hundreds of thousands of people turn up. In comparison, the audience for the habba pales into insignificance,” he said.

Besides, the organisers have named the festival Bengaluru Habba only with a view to facilitate them to sell the event easily in corporate circles. “When they can sell it easily in corporate circles, which they are doing, why use taxpayers’ money,” he said.

The Government’s liberal grant has raised eyebrows in the field of art and culture as the demand for funds by government-run academies has been kept pending with the Government citing financial crunch as the reason.

However, Sharath Tejaswi, a spokesperson for the organiser, told The Hindu that the habba provides local artistes exposure and business. For instance, Airtel, one of the sponsors, converted performances into caller tunes last year. He said that the Government decided to become part of festival as it sees value in an event of this nature.

“If opponents to the Government grant feel the funds could be diverted for other work, then the money spent on buying high-end cars for Ministers could also be diverted. So can the money used for building ministerial bungalows in Yelahanka,” said an organisers’ representative.

Meanwhile, Padmini Ravi, a trustee of AFFA, said the Government has only deferred Bengaluru Habba on grounds of security but [it] remains committed to its support for the event. Ms. Ravi denied allegations that the festival was “elitist”.

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