Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (CLP)

Mangalore, Oct 16: The annual Karavali Utsav 2014 in the city will be held from December 20 to 31, informed B Ramanath Rai, minister-in-charge of D K after a meeting held at the DC's office here on Wednesday, October 15.

The meeting was presided over by B Ramanath Rai, minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada district.

A B Ibrahim deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district said, "The 12-day festival is estimated at a cost of around 1.5 crore. The estimated cost for different events is as follows- cultural programme: Rs 50 lac, Beach Utsav: Rs 15 to 20 lac, sports programmes: Rs 15 to 20 lac, government departments: Rs 15 to 20 lac, publicity: Rs 5 lac and food festival: Rs 5 lac."

Speaking during the meeting, Mr Rai instructed the organizing committee to organize a procession at the inaugural session. Apart from the exhibitions arranged by the event managers, this year various government departments will also feature their exhibition. The government departments like education, health, social welfare, backward class, ITDP, agriculture, horticulture, sericulture, watershed and forest department stalls would explain their features to the general public for 12 days. He is also interested in starting the cruise liner from Udupi to Mangalore for six days during Karavali Utsav.

A platform will be provided to perform traditional folk dance, arts, rural games and traditional food items to promote the art and culture of the coastal region. This year the main stage will be used by the district and state-level artistes to showcase their expertise.

As part of the event, the administration will also organize beach Utsav comprising kite festival, sand art, water sports, beach volleyball, tug of war, beach Kabaddi and beach throwball.

Prior to the exhibition, a grand procession will be arranged at Nehru Maidan which will lead the gathering towards Karavali Utsav ground.

There is also a proposal to shift some of the programmes to Kadri park to reduce the traffic jam and noise pollution at the Karavali maidan. The final decision has not yet taken by the Karavali Utsav organizing committee and final decision may come in a week's time.

Minister for youth services and sports Abhayachandra Jain was also present along with the Karavali Utsav publicity team and Karavali Utsav cultural committee members.