Early next year, thousands of dance and music lovers, art connoisseurs and adventure junkies from across the world are expected to converge on the historical city of Badami for one of the biggest tourism jamborees north Karnataka has witnessed.
Organised by the Bangalore-based strategic affairs think tank ‘Catalytic’, in association with various government agencies, the ‘Badami Festival-2014’ is part of the holistic development plan for Bagalkot district and north Karnataka.
What will set this event apart, say the organisers, is that there will be something to suit every taste — Hindustani music and dance performances as well as Sufi music, rock climbing, aero sports, handloom and live painting expos, food festivals, wine tours, puppet shows and documentary screenings.
The former Deputy Chief of Army Staff and Catalytic co-founder Lt. General Ramesh Halgali said, “This festival will pave way for greater development in the areas of tourism, adventure and entrepreneurship and renew interest in the glory of Chalukya history.”
Starting February 28, the cultural events of the three-day festival will be spread across scenic archaeological sites such as the Bhootnath and Pattadakal Temples. “Imagine a dance and music extravaganza on the lawns of Bhootnath and Pattadkal. The monuments, the surrounding hills, forests and lakes will form the backdrop. It will be an event of a lifetime,” said S.G. Prashanth one of the Catalytic founders.
CulturalThe event will feature renowned artistes such as Wadali Brothers (Sufi), Mohammed Vakil (Ghazal), L. Subramaniam (Carnatic violin), Ustad Usman Khan (sitar), Ashwini Bhide (Hindustani vocals), Donna Ganguly, Surupa Sen and Aruna Mohanty (Odissi), Praveen Godkhindi (Hindustani flautist), Aditi Mangaldas, Abhimanyu and Vidha Lal (Kathak) to name a few.
Shubha Mudgal will perform a special musical tracing hundred years of cinema and Anurupa Raj will stage her acclaimed puppet show depicting the life and times of the Mughal princess and 16th century historiographer Gulbadan Begum. Painters Gurudas Shenoy, Suresh Halvani, Rekha Rao Hebbar, V.S. Murthy and Arya will also hold live painting workshops.
AdventurePointing out that Badami is also one of the top 10 rock climbing destinations in the world, Mr. Prashanth said that international climbers from 15 countries will participate in a Master’s Rock Climbing competition. They will also hold climbing workshops, a seminar on mountaineering and open new climbing routes in the hills of the region. Over 200 Indian climbers too are expected to participate in the open climbing championship. Ace rock climber Kirti Paes is coordinating this part.
Lt. Col. (retd) Satyendra Verma, one of the pioneers of base jumping in India, has been roped in to organise aero sports such as skydiving, hot air ballooning, paragliding and paramotoring.
Food and lifestyleMany of the vineyard owners of the region will also organise wine tours in Bagalkot and Bijapur as part of the effort to popularise the wines produced in north Karnataka. There will also be a north Karnataka food festival where local chefs will plate up delicacies from Adil Shahi era as well as other well known delights such as Jolada Rotti and Bakhri
Judie Frater and Sujata Sen will organise a fashion parade showcasing local fabrics such as Ilkal and Rabakavi Banhatti.
Over 3,000 luxury tents inspired by the Mughal era will be set up in the hills surrounding the venue for accommodation.
