Cultural extravaganza marks first day of Kittur Utsav

Source: The Hindu

Ministers perform puja, garland Rani Chennamma's statue

Colourful: Thousands of people took part in the ‘Janapada Kalavahini' , which was taken out from Rani Chennamma Circle to Kittur Fort on Saturday.

The skies over the historic Kittur town, the headquarter of the erstwhile princely state reigned by Rani Chennamma, echoed with deafening drum beats, even as thousands of enthusiastic revellers kept cheering thus heralding the commencement of three-day State-level Kittur Utsav-2010, here on Saturday.

The event also marks the celebration as “Vijay Utsav” – Rani Chennamma's historic revolt against the British Empire in 1824.

A large number of artistes and people from across the district and adjoining areas swarmed to the town to take part and witness the cultural extravaganza, which began with a ceremonial puja at the samadhi of Rani Chennamma in Bailhongal town.

Neelkanth Swami of Durdundeshwar Math – Murgod, Mahantesh Kaujalgi, MLC, and Jagadish Metgud, MLA, performed the ceremonial puja at the samadhi at 7.30 a.m. and also flagged off the “Veer Rani Kittur Chennamma Jyoti”.

At Kakti, the birthplace of Rani Chennamma near Belgaum city, Rachaiah Swami of Shivpuja Math, Satish L. Jarkiholi, MLA, Belgaum District Freedom Fighters' Centenary Celebrations Committee president S.A. Malgali and Uday Hiremath, resident of Kakti, offered puja to Rani Chennamma's statue in the village.

Ceremonial reception

Minister for Agriculture and district in-charge Umesh V. Katti, Minister for Minor Irrigation, and Kannada and Culture Govind Karjol, Suresh C. Angadi and Ramesh V. Katti, both MPs, and Deputy Commissioner Ekroop Caur accorded a ceremonial reception to the jyoti at Rani Chennamma Circle at the entrance of Kittur town in the afternoon.

Mr. Katti and Minister for Cooperation Laxman S. Savadi, prominent persons from Kittur town and senior officials of the district garlanded the statue of the queen.

Subsequently, Anantkumar Hegde, MP, flagged off the colourful “Janapada Kalavahini” – a cultural rally of different thematic tableaux depicting different socio-economic, historical and cultural facets of Karnataka in general and the erstwhile princely State of Kittur, folk troupes, bullock-cart chariots, puppets, dance troupes, singers, instrumentalists and folk dancers.

State plans to get back Rani Chenamma’s belongings

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/10/stories/2010021050390300.htm


They are presently housed in a museum in London


Determined: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa addressing a gathering at Kudalasangama in Bagalkot district on Tuesday. Kudalasangama (Bagalkot district): Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has said that the State Government will make sincere efforts to bring back the belongings of Kittur Rani Chennamma, freedom fighter, from a museum in London.
Speaking after laying the foundation stone of the Lingayat Panchamsali Pratam Jagadguru Mahapeetha here on Tuesday, he said a delegation of State leaders would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and apprise him about the importance of bringing back her belongings.
He said the Government would release a sum of Rs. 1 crore for the construction of the mahapeetha and Rs. 11 crore would be released separately for the development of holy places such as Basavan Bagewadi, Ingaleshwar and M.K. Hubli in the State.
Mr. Yeddyurappa called upon farmers not to oppose the acquisition of dry land for setting up of industries and other development projects.
“Officers have been instructed to apprise farmers about the pros and cons of acquiring dry land in districts where heavy industries are to come up. The Government will acquire the land only after paying suitable compensation to the owners,” he added.
The State Government, he said, was committed to the progress of farmers and the poor.
The forthcoming budget would focus on agriculture, health and rural development.
Utmost care would be taken to protect the interests of farmers, the poor and the middle class, he added.

Chennamma Park in Dharwad wears a new look

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/hubli/Chennamma-Park-in-Dharwad-wears-a-new-look/articleshow/5028543.cms



DHARWAD: Thanks to chief minister B S Yeddyurappa's gesture of granting Rs 100 crore for the development of the twin cities, two parks here are
getting a facelift.

Kittur Rani Chennamma Park on Dharwad-Belgaum Road now wears a new look following several improvements taken up at a cost of Rs 65 lakh. It will be open to the public next week.

The 35-acre park, owned by Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, has new pathways, musical fountains, beautiful landscape, variety of flowering plants and playing equipment for the children beside a band stand and a pergola. The Nirmiti Kendra has taken up the development work. The park has a tomb in memory of British collector Thackeray. The tomb is being restored and a board containing the details of Kittur Chennamma's struggle with the British, which ended in the killing of Thackeray, will be displayed at the park.

MLA and Karnataka Border Area Development Authority chairman Chandrakant Bellad said the park's development was part of beautifying the city. The band stand will be used for organizing cultural programmes under the auspices of department of Kannada and culture, he said.

Azad Park near old bus stand and Kelgeri tank are also being developed under the Rs 100-crore project, he added. Hubli-Dharwad Urban Development Authority chairman Datta Dorle said all the parks in the twin cities will be developed in due course and the playgrounds will be made available to the children.

Karnataka State Bal Vikas Academy chairman Shankar Halagatti said the parks could be used for organizing creative programmes for children. Nirmiti Kendra officer Chandrashekhar was present.