The demand for celebrating Hampi Utsav, a three-day festival that promotes culture and heritage of the state by providing a platform for performances like dance, music and drama has been gaining momentum after Karnataka government’s announced that it won’t be celebrated this year.

The state government had cited drought as the reason for not holding the festival this year, The Hindu has reported.

Several artists and the opposition BJP had earlier criticised the government decision since Tipu Jayanti, Mysuru Dasara was organised just a few weeks ago with the state still facing the drought back then. Earlier scheduled to be held between 3 and 5 November, it had to be postponed due to the by-elections that were conducted during the same period for Ballari Lok Sabha seat.

After the government backed out on its promise to organise it, a meeting was conducted by artistes from across Ballari. Renowned artistes such as Nadoja Belagal Veeranna, Siddaram Kalmath met MP-elect for Ballari Lok Sabha constituency V S Ugrappa and requested him to raise the issue with the state government.

The Hindu quoted Ugrappa as saying, “I already have spoken to Minister D K Shivakumar, conveying the sentiments of the people here and requested him to organise the cultural festival at Hampi, and the response was positive.”

Several BJP leaders have announced that they will raise money from public and conduct the utsav, should the government fail to organise it.

Hampi Utsav

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