Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 13: The Covid19 impact has considerably receded in Dakshina Kannada district but there is apprehension about the annual Karavali Utsav event getting cancelled for the second year in a row.

Because of the reduced pandemic threat, the district administration as well as the city corporation are upbeat about the chances of holding the event. But the officials have got the hint that the government may not approve the plan because of the revenue deficit. The government has already said that it will not organise Hampi Utsav this year. An official of the Kannada and culture department said that in the same way, chances of holding the other regional Utsavs are remote.

Karavali Utsav (file photo)

This has dampened the spirits of artists who have already faced loss of revenue because of the Utsav not having been held last year. The chances of tourism and business getting a boost are lost. It may be recalled that the government had provided two grants of Rs 20 lac each for the last Karavali Utsav held in January 2020.

This year, preparations like choosing the artists to be invited, preparations to be made, programmes to be held are normally held sufficiently have not been done. E-tender also is yet to be prepared.

Mangaluru north MLA Dr Bharath Shetty said he will take up the issue of the grant with the government in order to see that tourism and artists will get a boost. Prof L Narendra Nayak, former member of Karavali Utsav Committee, feels that the Utsav should be held here as new talents and artists get support. He said that he has requested the same to be organized this time and feels that if preparations are taken up now, it is still possible to hold it this year.