Bellary: Curtains came down on the three-day Hampi Utsav-2014 on Sunday with the art and cultural events attracting people from all walks of life. The Utsav was inaugurated by Chief Minister SidÂdaramaiah on Friday.
An elated Deputy ComÂmissioner Amlan Aditya Biswas told Deccan ChrÂonicle that the Utsav was “absolutely mind blowing” and termed it a “success.” At the Utsav, ‘Hampi By Sky’ wherein people got an opportunity to take a chopper and go around the monuments, and the ‘Hot Air Balloon’ were major attractions. Rural sports such as wrestling competitions, malÂlÂakambh and stone lifting competitions caught the attention of people.
The administration had invited artists from all over Karnataka to perform on the last day. There were artists performing various tribal folk dances, Udupi folk dance and finally Gaarudi Gombe, a folk dance by performers from Mandya.
Sherry, a tourist from Mexico who has been staying in Hampi for four days said, “We were not aware that there is a festival here but we are happy that we got something to watch. This proÂcession is something I will take back home. I got a glimpse of so many folk daÂnces and cultures in a short span of 20 minutes.”
Keshyawar from JayÂanagar in Bangalore said, “During the previous festivals, the administration had organized sound and light shÂows depicting Hampi’s glorious history. But in the last two days, they have coÂncÂentrÂated on cultural programmes.
This can be great entertainment for people in villages but people like us, who have come from places like Bangalore, want to witness somÂething different and the procession fits the bill. This was undoubtedly the best of the three-day show.”
All terrain vehicles added to the attractions at the Utsav wherein youth got a chance to ride on rough terrain close to the Queen’s Bath.
