Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Oct 10 (The Hindu): Whistles and applause resounded from a rather unlikely place on Saturday morning: the district sub-jail.

Nearly 200 undertrials and two convicts were given some respite from otherwise “boring” existence inside the prison, when Ranga Bharati and Karavali Group of Colleges in association with the Mangalore City Corporation gave dance and song performances in the sub-jail.

This was part of the Kannada-Samskruti-Saptaha, which is a week-long series of events and performances to celebrate Kannada culture.

Ironically though, the first performance was of the folk song “Tappu madadavru yaravre, tappe madadavru ellavre” (Who is there who has not made mistakes, where are they who have not done mistakes). This was followed by a Bharatanatya performance, flute concert and a comic play, all performed by children. Mid-way though, many of the inmates left the ramshackle hall to sit on the veranda outside their dormitories.

Speaking to reporters, some of the inmates said that the food served in the prison was terrible and that the sambar was too watery. They also complained of inadequate medical attention. The bloodshot eyes of one of the men suggested that he had conjunctivitis.

Chairman, Karavali Group of Colleges Ganesh S. Rao, Mayor Praveen and Deputy Mayor Geetha N. Nayak spoke on the occasion.