Music director Gurukiran inaugurates Karavali Utsava 2018

Mangaluru: Veteran music director and film actor Gurukiran inaugurated the 10-day-long annual `Karavali Utsav’ at the Karavali Utsav Maidan on Friday, December 21.

After inaugurating the fest, Gurukiran said, “I have special gratitude towards coastal region as I am born and brought up in this coastal district. I have achieved something in my life only because of the support I have received here”, he said.

Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister and Minister for Urban Development and Housing U T Khader, after inaugurating the exhibition of Karavali Utsav, said, “It is a platform for the local people to exhibit their talents. This fest also helps to showcase our culture and traditions to those who are unaware of this”, he said.

Khader asked the people to be proud to exhibit the culture and traditions of Tulunadu. “As our culture and traditions receive special attention in and around the country, we should strive hard to protect it. We should not adapt to the western culture”, he said.

Gurukiran was felicitated on the occasion. Earlier, a procession was taken out near from Nehru Maidan, in which over 85 art troupes of Yakshagana, Dollu Kunita, Gumte Kunita, Veeragase, Doddata, Halakki Kunita, Kamsale, Goravara Kunita, and Huli Vesha among others participated. Later, all the art troupes were given two minutes’ time to exhibit their talents.

Inaugural programme witnesses protest too

For the first time in the history of Karavali Utsav, a group of people under the leadership of social activist Vidya Dinakar staged a protest against the expansion of MRPL in front of the venue holding banner ‘Stop extension of MRPL and rescue coastal region.’ The guests at the programme spoke despite the protesters holding the banner in front of the venue. Minister Khader, while addressing the gathering, did not respond to the demands of the protesters. However, he informed that any development work will be undertaken as per the law. Though Vidya Dinakar insisted that Khader respond to their demands, the latter refused to speak. As the result, Vidya Dinakar and her team shouted slogans against Karavali Utsav and U T Khader. Later, the protesters were detained.

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumar, Commissioner of Police T R Suresh, Mangaluru Mayor Bhaskar K, Commissioner Mohammed Nazir, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat President Meenakshi Shanthigodu, CEO Dr. Selvamani R, members Sahul Hameed, Mamatha Gatti, Dakshina Kannada district Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura among others were present.