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

Udupi, Nov 21: ‘Udupi Utsava’, annual festival featuring cultural programmes and exhibition, went under way on Sunday November 20 at MGM College ground on Sunday Novemeber 20. District in-charge minister, Dr V S Acharya, inaugurated the festival. Recalling that Dr Ramdas Pai Manipal had been conferred with the title, ‘Udupi Ratna’ a few years back, Acharya said there are plans to give this award to person backed by excellence in any of the fields during Udupi Utsava every year henceforth.  “This time, Janardan, renowned saxophone artiste from here, has been chosen for the award. Date of the award function will be announced later,” he said.

Acharya added that the Utsava is expected to get additional crowds this time, as Paryaya festival of Sode Mutt is slated to be held on January 18, 2012, for which, devotees from all over the country will converge. While revealing that tenders had been floated for constructing an open air theatre and cricket ground at Beedinagudde where a dumping ground was located earlier, MLA, K Raghupati Bhat, speaking on the occasion, hoped that the next year’s Udupi Utsava could be arranged there.

The section relating to stalls was inaugurated by T Ashok Pai, entrepreneur from Manipal. Deputy commissioner of the district, Dr M T Reju, conveyed his best wishes for the success of the Utsava.

Municipal commissioner, Gokuldas Nayak, compered the programme. Convener of the Utsava, Mahesh Thakur, proposed vote of thanks. Superintendent of police, Ravikumar, former chairman of Udupi Urban Development Authority, Sudhakar Shetty, municipal vice-president, Bharati Chandrashekhar, and others were present.

The Utsava will be open from 3 to 9.30 pm on all days. Ticket has been priced at Rs 20 for everyone aged above three. However, concessions will be extended if school children come to visit the Utsava in groups, it was revealed.