Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Jul 21: The highly anticipated "Kundapura Kannada Habba," organized by Kundapra Kannada Pratishthana, Bengaluru, presented by Kirthi Palmville Udupi (a project by Kirthi Constructions), is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Bunt Association Atriguppe Bengaluru.
Addressing the press conference at Bengaluru Press Club, Deepak Shetty Barkur, the president of Kundapra Kannada Prathishthana, Bengaluru, said, "On July 23rd, we will have a day-long celebration, graced by the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Several renowned actors and directors from the Kannada film industry will also participate in this grand event. It marks the fifth World Kundapura Kannada Day and is being celebrated with greater fervor this year. The festival aims to showcase the life and cultural richness of Kundapur to the world, including our native language, customs, art, sports, and diverse food. With a significant number of Kundapurians residing in Bangalore, the Kundapra Kannada festival seeks to unite them under one roof, providing a platform for talented artists and reviving rural sports and cultural exchange."
The program will be inaugurated by Shantharam Shetty Barkur, a distinguished achiever in Kambala, along with Kiran Kumar Kodgi, MLA Kundapur, and Gururaj Shetty Gantihole, MLA Byndoor, as guests of honor.
The valedictory program will be held at 4:30 PM on July 23, with chief minister Siddaramaiah gracing the event. Guests of honor will include Krishnappa M, MLA K Jayaprakash Hegde, president of Backward Class Commission M Murlidhar Hegde, and president of Bengaluru Bunt Association. During the event, the organizers will present their demands to the chief minister, seeking necessary funds for the Kundapura Kannada Study Chair at Mangaluru University.
Professor A V Navada and renowned music director Ravi Basrur will be honored for their significant contributions. Distinguished film actor-director Rishabh Shetty, actor Pramod Shetty, and others will also participate in the program. Kundapur-origin actor-director Upendra and Kannada movie director Yograj Bhat will join the event.
Various cultural and art performances have been organized as part of the celebration. Notable performances include Yakshagana performances such as "Bedara Kannappa" by Raghavendra Jansale and team, "Veera Barbareeka" by Kalakadamba Arts, and "Biduvane Brihmalinga" dance performance by Nandagokula artists of Arehole Pratishthana. Additionally, a short play titled "Chithrapata Ramnayana" by Preetham, comedy skits by Alwyn Andrade Sasthan and team, and a special skit titled "Minchula: id-katli belagina kati" by Team Kundapurians will mesmerize the audience. Shravya Maravante's performance will also be a part of the entertainment.
Enlightening talks by lecturer Rekha B Bannadi, Upendra Shetty, and poet H Dunediraj on the multi-dimensionality of the language, and a performance titled "Kaduva Haadugala Kalarava" by Swara Kundapura troupe, and "Laghu Dhatiya Bigu Bhashana" by famous Kundapura Kannada orator Manu Handadi will further enrich the Kundapura Kannada festival.
The festival will also feature rare rural sports of the coast, including tug-of-war for adults, games for couples, flower-making for children, cycle tire race, Hanebonda race, Girgitli race, drawing, jute basket making for women, weaving of coconut palm leaves, and other competitions to enliven the festival grounds.
Delicious Kundapur cuisine prepared by authentic Kundapur chefs on the spot will add more colors to the celebration. The exciting menu includes Halubai, Kotte Kadubu, Golibaje, Buns, Sukkinunde, a variety of drinks, festival special vegetable meal, Idli, Kundapura chicken Sukka, Biryani, Chatli curry, and other rare dishes.
Present during the press meet were Pramodhchandra Bhandary (honorary president), Narasimha Beejadi (vice president), Ragavendra Kanchan (secretary), Vijay Shetty Halady (treasurer), and Ajith Shetty Ultur (joint secretary).