Farmers leader to inaugurate Kittur Utsav today

Farmers leader Chukki Nanjundaswamy will inaugurate Kittur Utsav in Kittur of Belagavi district on Friday. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will participate in the valedictory ceremony on Sunday.

MLA Babasaheb Patil told reporters in Belagavi on Thursday that the three-day festival will feature discussion sessions on the history of the battle of Kittur and the rule of Rani Channamma, cultural programmes, exhibitions and sports.

“For the first time, a mega livestock fair will be organised as part of the Utsav. It will feature indigenous and hybrid breeds of cattle, sheep and goats and fowl that will prove beneficial to farmers,” he said.

He was speaking after reviewing the final stages of the preparations. The State government has released ₹2 crore for the Utsav, he said and added that the Chief Minister has promised to release more, if needed.

“The State government is taking steps to protect the heritage of Kittur and preserve its monuments. We have built a retaining wall at the local fort and a theme park will be launched soon,” he said.

“The State government has released around ₹50 crore for the Kittur Development Authority in three years. These funds are being used exclusively for the development of the fort. Sports events such as Kabaddi, volleyball, wrestling, water sports, a flower and fruit show, seminars, a poetry recital and cultural programs will be held,” he said.

Commissioner of the Kittur Development Authority Santosh Hangal said that a discussion on Kittur comprising women resource persons and a women poet’s recital will be organised.

K. Sharifa will inaugurate the recital. Gurudevi Hulleppanavarmath and others will participate. A total of 6,500 students and 700 teachers are expected to attend.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Veerayya Hiremath said that nearly 1,00,000 people are expected to attend the festival each day.

Adequate security arrangements have been made, with 450 officers and personnel, along with 200 Home Guards, deployed.

Deputy Director of the Department of Kannada and Culture Vidyavati Bhajantri said that film actor Sharan, music director Arjun Janya, rap artist Chandan Shetty, Shamitha Malnad, singer Rajesh Krishnan, North Karnataka folk singers Hanamanta Lamani and Balu Belagundi, along with other artists, will perform.