Hampi is ready to host Hampi Utsav 2017, a three-day cultural extravaganza of dance, drama and music, beginning Friday. The holding of the cultural festival on a mega scale by the government was to recapture the past glory of the erstwhile Vijayanagar empire.
All roads leading to Hampi have been decorated in traditional style with banana plants, leaves of coconut trees, banners and buntings. The rocky terrain and the ancient stone mantaps and monuments are illuminated, for added attraction.
Final touches are being given to the nine stages that have been set up in different locations within Hampi. As many as 405 troupes from across the country, including Sarod maestro Rajeev Taranath, playback singers Shan and Kunal Ganjawala, danseuses of various dance forms, Carnatic and Hindustani vocalists and theatre persons, would be giving their performances during the three days.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the cultural events in the evening.
A host of Ministers are also expected to attend.
Meanwhile, the utsav organising committee lined up a series of programmes as pre-event to Hampi Utsav in the last one week to attract connoisseurs. Vijayanagar Vasant Habba, in which over 200 troupes of various folk forms participated, was among the other programmes.
A 10-day sculpture camp concluded with sculptors from across the State turning stones into very beautiful art pieces. The art works included traditional and the modern.
K.V. Rajendra, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer, was all praise for the Hampi Utsav Samiti for organising the sculpture camp in Hampi, which he likened it to a sculpture university.
