Bellary: Set amidst the illuminated hillocks and monuments of Hampi, Hampi Utsav-2014 takes off on Friday, with Chief Minister SidÂdarÂamÂaiah doing the honours to formally throw it open to the public.
Expected to dazzle the thoÂusands of visitors wil be dancers and singers performing from four staÂges erected at different veÂnuÂes of the world heritage site. The biggest, 80 ft long anÂd 60 ft wide, named after the emperor of the VijÂayÂanagar empire, Sri KrÂiÂshÂnadeveraya, has been desÂigned to reflect its glorious innings in the state and has massive LEDs for a baÂckdrop.
Bollywood sinÂger, SuÂnidÂhi Chauhan, ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, and fusion singer Raghu Dixit will enthrall audiences from it during the utsav.
Named after former deputy chief minister, late M P Prakash who was instrumental in organizing the Hampi Utsav, is another 80 ft long and 40 ft wide stage, which will see a performance by the FuÂsion Band (insÂtruÂmenÂtal) led by Praveen GodÂkhindi, an Odissi dance by Arpita VenÂkateÂsh, and a HinÂdusÂtani Classical vocal recital by Prasanna Gudi among others on day one.
While the third Vidyaranya Vedike stage, 50 feet long and 40 feet wide, is more traditionally desÂignÂed, a Hakka and Bukka Vedike stage has been installed near the VirÂupaksha Swami TemÂple.
As many as 96 food stalls will cater to visitors, who have been provided basic amenities such as drinking water and toilets and parking.
SupÂerinÂtendent of Police, ChÂetaÂn Singh Rathor is suÂpervising the security arÂraÂngements, and fire tenders and ambulances are at hand for meeting any eventuality.
