Mangaluru: A meeting chaired by district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday decided to hold Karavali Utsava at Pilikula Nisargadhama, instead of Karavali Utsava Maidan in the city.
Deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP said that the festival of the coastal district will be tentatively held between Dec 15 and Jan 15. Meanwhile, the meeting also resolved to organise the govt-sponsored Kambala event at the track in front of the Guthu Mane in Pilikula on Nov 17 and 18.
"We have decided to organise Karavali Utsava at Pilikula, utilising the Urban Haat, heritage village, and other facilities available there. The Karavali Utsava will be celebrated in a new way, by showcasing the linguistic diversity of Dakshina Kannada and the culture of the Koraga community, in a global village model to attract a large crowd," the DC said. The minister directed the DC to form separate committees involving people's representatives to organise events successfully.
Tourism department deputy director (in-charge) Rashmi SR said that 70% of the work on the Kambala track (Kambala kare) has been completed at Pilikula. About Rs 70 lakh is needed for organising Pilikula Kambala. MLC Manjunath Bhandari transferred Rs 5 lakh to the Nirmiti Kendra, she said. Moodbidri MLA Umanath Kotian stated that the expenses of the Kambala should be managed through the committee under the district administration.
Deviprasad Shetty Belapu, president of the district kambala samiti, said that kambala events have been receiving govt grants of Rs 5 lakh each since the tenure of former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda. However, grants were not released for events last year, he said and urged the minister to ensure funds for events.
Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, Mangaluru City North MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty, Bantwal MLA U Rajesh Naik, MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur, and Mayor Manoj Kumar were present.