Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, May 30: MLA and honorary president of Abbakka Utsav Committee, U T Khader, said that ‘Abbakka Utsav’, which was earlier proposed to be organized at Ullal on May 22 and 23, and postponed due to the air tragedy here, will now be held on Sunday May 30.

Veteran Tulu folklore artiste and centenarian, Neelamma Poojary, Paldody – Perara, will inaugurate the festival at the ‘Tulunada Siri Dompada Rani Abbakka Dais’ erected at the late Chandappa Yard in Tokkottu at 9 am on Sunday. MP, Nalinkumar Kateel, will inaugurate cultural programmes. Tulu Sahitya Academy president, Dr Paltady Ramakrishna Achar, will preside, Khader explained.

Symposiums, poets’ sessions, Tulu poetry, singing, painting, dances etc., are scheduled to be held during the day. The highlight of the valedictory function to be organized in the evening of Sunday will be the presentation of ‘Veerarani Abbakka Award’ to Shakuntala Bhat Haleangady, and ‘Rani Abbakka Award’ to sportsperson, Geetabai Ullal, by district in-charge minister, Krishna J Palemar.  Khader said that it has been decided to limit  the Utsav celebrations, previously planned as a two-day event, to one day.

Reception committee president, K Jayaram Shetty,. working president, Dinakar Ullal, secretary, Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli,  and treasurer, K Sadanand Bangera, were present.