Udupi: 'Spring Zouk' - Showcasing Folklore, or Encouraging Rave Parties?

Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Feb 4: 'Spring Zouk', a three-day international level festival of music and folklore, began at St Mary's Island off Malpe port on the evening of Friday February 3.

The programme is being organized by 3W Concepts, a Bangalore-based private firm, in association with the district administration and department of tourism. The major purpose of the programme is to introduce culture and folklore of the land to foreigners and people from outside the state.

In addition to eight major musical groups from international arena, over 15 troupes from the state and elsewhere will be showcasing their talents at the event. Folklore from different parts of Karnataka will also be presented. Deputy commissioner, M T Reju, said that this musical and art fair proposes to encourage tourism in the area, and that it is one among the several initiatives undertaken by the district administration jointly with the department of tourism to enhance tourism potential of the region.

He said that eight international bands have already been touring India and have organized shows at various places in India, and that they were provided with an opportunity to perform here, as a private firm came forward to arrange for the same.

The event also gave rise to questions on the island turning into a stage for fun and rave parties for youth who have come from foreign countries, going by the skimpy clothes they wore, intoxicating substances they consumed openly, and gave vent to their hidden desires in full public glare. A 50-member crowd of citizens of Germany, Russia, Estonia etc, which had been in Goa since the last couple of months, said they had come here to enjoy life without any shackles, having been lured by the claims of the organizers.

As those who want to participate in the event need to buy a ticket costing Rs 2,500, only foreigners and students studying in Manipal were seen participating in it. Those holding the ticket can spend three days at the island, although so far there had been a ban on night stay at the island.