Nishagandhi, the iconic venue at the landmark Kanakakunnu Palace, will soon host renowned musicians from across the country.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran told the Assembly on Monday that State would host a Nishagandhi Music festival every year in June as part of the State’s branding as a monsoon destination.
The government has named the month-long programme ‘monsoon raga.’ It would feature mainstream and traditional Indian and exotic music forms. The music repertoire would add to the sheen of the Nishagandhi Dance Festival later in November.
The scheme formed part of the larger game plan to make Kerala a magnet for writers, thinkers, artists, musicians, music aficionado, book lovers, performers and intellectuals. More book festivals were in the offing.
The Chalai market will be restored as a heritage souk on the lines of Mitayi Theruvu in Kozhikode. A tourism circuit highlighting the life and times and contributions of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru has been planned for ₹118 crore. It would entail adding more amenities for visitors at the ashrams he established in Aruvippuram, Sivagiri and Chempazhanthy.
The Kumar Asan Memorial at Thonnackal. Ananthavalleshwaram Temple at Mannanthala and Kayikkara also formed part of the tourist circle. He announced a community hall and travellers hostel in Veli Tourism Village and a Tourism Business Park at Vazhuthacaud.
The Minister batted for eco-friendly tourism practices. For one, houseboats need to be made eco-friendly with chemical toilets and solar power. Backwaters should be cleared off plastic litter. The government had salvaged 22 tonnes of discarded plastic from Vembanad lake alone.
