The Rangoli Metro Art Centre may be the epicentre of activities along the Namma Metro Phase 1 stretch.
But, the Bangalore Metro Rural Haat, which turned a year old recently, is also vying for its share of attention. The haat at the S.V. Road Metro station aims to help rural artisans showcase their products.
A ‘Samskrithika Sapthaha’ (cultural week) has been organised from May 25 at the ‘ranghastala’ within the haat premises. K. Prabhakar Rao, Chief Administrative Officer of the haat, said the programme would mark the first anniversary of the haat.
Support
“The Department of Kannada and Culture has sponsored the programme while Vijaya Bank has lent financial support. We hope to bring visibility to the haat so that more people buy from the artisans who are using this as a platform,” he said at a press conference on Thursday.
The cultural extravaganza will feature 14 artisans.
The programme will be inaugurated at 5 p.m. on Sunday by Pradeep Singh Kharola, Managing Director, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).
Shalini Rajneesh, Principal Secretary, Kannada and Culture Department and N. Sivasailam, former MD of BMRCL and Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, will be among those present.
The performances will be from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. every day.
Shyamala G. Bhave and group (Hindustani music), Somashekar from Niranthara School of Dance (Kathak), and Raghurama Muliya and group (Yakshagana) will perform. There will be two performances every day till June 1 (May 29 is a holiday) and entry is free.
Dormitory for artisans
Those who rent stalls at the Bangalore Haat will not have to look for alternative accommodation next year onwards. A 200-bed dormitory is being readied for artisans who rent stalls at the Bangalore Haat and members of self-help groups, at the S.V. Road Metro station.
K. Prabhakar Rao, Chief Administrative Officer, said the construction of the dormitory had been stalled temporarily due to procedural glitches but will be ready for occupation in a year’s time.
