Procession marks grand start to 86th literary meet

Haveri: The 86th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana began with a grand cultural procession here on Friday morning. At 7.3 am sharp, the procession started at Purasiddeshwar temple with 100 folk troupes.
Sammelana president Prof Doddarange Gowda was taken out in a decorated chariot. However, he travelled in it for only a kilometre and then proceeded to the venue of the Sammelana.
Meanwhile, more than 80 folk troops performed in the procession later. Waving yellow and red flags, thousands of people including writers, artists, schoolchildren, officials walked along the decorated chariots and tableaux.
The procession passed through the main landmarks of the city including Mailar Mahadev Circle, Hosamani Siddappa Circle and old national-highway-48 before culminating at the venue.
Cultural troupes with 1,500 artistes showcased Chilipili Gombe, Kamsale, Kilu Kudure, Dollu Kunitha, Nandi Dhwaja, Navilu Kunitha, Veeragase and other art forms in the procession.
Along with the specially decorated chariot for the Sammelana president, 12 decorated chariots carrying Kannada Sahitya Parishat district unit presidents were part of the procession.
Labour and Haveri district minister Shivaram Hebbar, Kannada and culture minister Sunil Kumar, MP Shivakumar Udasi, MLA Nehru Olekar, CMC president Sanjeevkumar Neeralagi and former minister Basavaraj Shivannavar flagged off the colourful procession.
Earlier, minister Shivaram Hebbar and Kannada Sahitya Parishnat Haveri district president Lingayya Hiremath hoisted the national flag, Kannada flag and the Parishat flag outside the main venue.