Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jan 23: Myriad colours adorned city's recreational hub Kadri Park as the annual flower and fruit show got off to a vibrant start here on Saturday January 23.

The four-day exhibition, being held as part of Karavali Utsav, was inaugurated by literatteur Erya Laxminarayana Alva. District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai cut the ribbon at the Park's new gate.

Addressing the gathering, Rai said, "This exhibition is being organized as part of Karavali Utsav. It is a happy occasion. The horticulture department has put in immense efforts into this. I congratulate everyone involved in organizing this event."

The cynosure of all eyes was a sculpture of Yakshagana, made out of 12,000 roses.

The Yakshagana sculpture, as well as other flower sculptures have been created by a 12-member team of Popular Abrasive Industries of Mysuru. The sculpture was inaugurated by MLA J R Lobo.

Speaking to daijiworld, Umashankar said, "We take part in flower exhibitions in Bengaluru, Mysuru and other parts of the state. We create our flower sculptures wherever there is an exhibition. For this particular event, we brought the roses from Bengaluru.

The other creations by the team were an elephant made mostly of tomatoes, dolphin, peacock, penguin, musical instruments like violin, tabla, Mridangam and veena, and ice cream. Altogether, 23,000 roses were used for these sculptures, Umashankar said.

The exhibition also has stalls selling seeds and saplings.

MLCs Pratapchandra Shetty and Ivan D'Souza and others were present.

Thereafter, a colourful procession as part of the Karavali Utsav was flagged off by renowned Bhagavata Koliyur Ramachandra Rao. As many as 47 tableaux took part in the procession, which culminated at Karavali Utsav grounds. Pradeep Kumar Kalkura of Kalkura Foundation, Karnataka Sahitya Academy president Roy Castelino, Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy president Mohammed Hanif and others were present.