Southern States
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Karnataka
Chalukya Utsav begins amid fanfare
By Our Staff Correspondent
PATTADAKALLU (BAGALKOT DT.), JAN. 28. Chalukya Utsav 2002, a festival to highlight the sculptural art and rich cultural heritage of the erstwhile Chalukya kingdom, began amid fanfare here on Sunday night.
Puttaraj Gavay, renowned classical vocalist and head of Sri Veereshwar Punyashram, Gadag, inaugurated the festival. Pandit Gavay, who gave a 15-minute recital, said: "Art has the strength to provide people a peaceful life. Music, the mother of all arts, has no age or ethnic bar, and it is loved by everyone.''
Art, especially music, had the patronage of the rulers in the past. But now Indian music was under threat, and it needed encouragement from the people and the Government.
The Minister for Urban Development, B.B.Chimmanakatti, who presided over the function, said the treasure of Indian culture, rich sculpture, and ancient architecture could be seen at Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakallu. The festival would help the local values find a place in the world map, he added.
Hundreds of folk and modern artistes were participating in the festival, which had provided them an opportunity to learn about one another, and get good exposure.
In the absence of the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, H.Vishwanath, S.R.Patil, MLC, released the souvenir, The Eternal Glory.
The Minister for Small-scale Industries, S.R.Kashappanavar, who released the book, Dakshina Patheshwar, said the festival was a posthumous honour given to the rulers of the Chalukya dynasty.
R.S.Patil, Bagalkot MP, inaugurated the "Yashodarshana'' exhibition, and J.T.Patil, Bilagi MLA, released the souvenir, Kayva Chalukya. S.G.Nanjayyanamath, Chairman, Krishna Command Area Development Authority, P.H.Pujar, Bagalkot MLA, B.G.Patil Halasangi, MLC, and the zilla panchayat president, H.R.Rathod, were present.
The Deputy Commissioner, Gangaram Baderia, who is the President of the organising committee, delivered the keynote address.
Cultural programmes such as Hindustani music, folk dance, Bharatanatya, Sugama Sangeet, Kavya Gange, Vachana Gayana, Raag Sangeet, Geet Sangeet, Bhava Geeta, Bhajan, Swarasangam, Dollu Mela, Karadi Majalu, Veeragase, Tatva Pada, Kani- vadana and Gee-Gee-Pada were held throughout the night. Groups of artistes from other States performed Ghumar (Haryana), Cherry dance (Rajastan), Poong Choolam (Manipur), Badai (Madhya Pradesh,), Gotipaira (Orissa), Karagam (Tamil Nadu), Kalaripayattu (Kerala), and Madhuru (Andhra Pradesh).
The Yashodarshana and other exhibitions have been arranged to revive the glory of the Chalukya Dynasty, which ruled Karnataka and other parts of southern and western India between AD 540 and 757. Cultural programmes would be held at Aihole on Tuesday, the concluding day of the festival.
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