Lights, Legends And Leaders: Drone Spectacle Steals Show At Hampi Utsava Inauguration

Hampi: The inauguration of Hampi Utsav 2026 turned mesmerising on Friday night with an attractive drone show stealing the spotlight and winning loud applause from the crowd. As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Cabinet colleagues took their seats on the dais, the lights were dimmed and the sky became the stage for a blended display of technology and culture.

Set to popular Kannada songs such as ‘Karnatakada Itihasadali’ and ‘Kannada Mannanu Maribeda’, illuminated drones formed a series of images that drew gasps and cheers from the audience. Spectators were seen holding up their mobile phones, trying to capture the transitory patterns as they appeared and disappeared in the night sky.

The show opened with the Emblem of Vijayanagara Empire (Varaha (wild boar), a sword accompanied by Sun and Moon), followed by an outline of Karnataka with images representing the State government’s five guarantee schemes. The crowd responded enthusiastically when familiar landmarks emerged — the towering Virupaksha Temple, the iconic Stone Chariot and the majestic Ugra Narasimha.

Images of Emperor Krishnadevaraya, the two bears representing Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary and the sacred Badavilinga also lit up the sky, blending history, nature and faith into a single visual story of the region.

The drones then formed portraits of political leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Tourism Minister HK Patil, Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, Vijayanagara district in-charge minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, MLA Gaviyappa and MP Thukaram.

People cheered when the smiling face of actor Puneeth Rajkumar appeared in lights, with his song ‘Bombe Helutaite’ from his movie Raajakumara playing in the background — a moment that visibly moved many in the audience.

Puneeth’s wife Ashwini and eldest brother Shiva Rajkumar were among those on the stage.