With just a week to go for the annual ‘Visakha Utsav-2018’, the district officials as well as the agency, which has been appointed for the event management, are giving final touches to the list of programmes that are being readied to enthral visitors, during the three-day festival, scheduled from December 28 to 30. The officials say, this year the city festival will be bigger in stature with mesmerising events and performances.
Similar to previous years, Visakha Utsav will be held at three venues — Beach Road, Shilparamam Jaathara at Madhurwada and VUDA Central Park near GVMC office. While Beach Road will be the main venue for all sorts of events, VUDA Park will have the flower show and cultural programmes. Meanwhile, Shilparamam Jaathara will thrill audience with traditional folk performances like ‘Tappeta Gullu’, ‘Garagalu’, Punjabi Folk, ‘Kommu Koyya’ etc;, apart from having number of handicraft stalls for the visitors.
Events lined up
Followed by a grand carnival along Beach Road stretch with various artists, Band performances from the Navy and the police, the officials have proposed for Grammy Award Winner Rickey Kej & Band show, live performance of ‘Thaikudum Bridge’ and a few others on the inaugural day of the event at Beach Road. On the second day of the event, live performance by ‘The Local Train’ band, apart from musical night by renowned singers Jaspreet Jazz, Bhargavi Pillai and Manisha have been planned.
The Tourism Department officials say that on the final day of the event, ‘Grand Fusion dance’, in which artists from 10 different countries would take part, will be a major attraction. To give the festival a grand finishing touch, musical night of ace singer KK (Krishnakumar Kunnath) is also in the list.
Huge response
“There was a demand from the citizens of Vizag in social media for ‘Thaikudum Bridge’ band show for the Visakha Utsav. So we are not going to disappoint them. Almost all the proposed events have been finalised. We have invited Jabardasth team and several Tollywood stars, the list will be finalised in the next two to three days,” said Regional Tourism Director, Visakhapatnam, Radha Krishna Murthy.
According to Tourism Department officials, as many as 126 artists have come to the Visakha Utsav tourism cell, requesting for a chance to perform during the Visakha Utsav.
“A cultural team headed by VUDA officials, is previewing their performances and will short-list. These short-listed candidates will perform at the VUDA Central Park, as we want people coming to the ‘Flower show’, should also engage in other activities. Among these performances, a few will be also given another chance to perform at main venue, RK Beach,” said Mr. Murthy.
Wide variety
The main venue on Beach Road will have a number of food and exhibit stalls for the visitors. The officials have constituted a separate team to monitor the stalls and make them more attractive. A Tourism Department official on condition of anonymity said “Andhra delicacies and special food items are said to be a major attraction, while games for kids are being arranged. Stalls range from ₹30,000 to ₹40,000 and interested can book stalls at the cell.”
