BELAGAVI: The most awaited two-day state-level ‘Kittur Utsav’ kicked off to a grand start on Monday in historical Kittur town and fort premises. It was organised for the first time in the history of Belagavi to mark the victory of brave queen Kittur Chennamma over British rule.
District-in-charge Minister Govind Karjol received the Veerajyothi (sports torch) with a grand celebration at Chennamma Circle. Rajya Sabha member Eranna Kadadi offered puja to the sports torch, accompanied by MLA Mahanthesh Doddagowdara, MLA Mahantesh Kaujalagi and Madivala Rajayogindra Swamiji of Kittur Kalmatta, and other dignitaries.
Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil and Superintendent of Police Sanjiv Patil garland the statue of ‘Queen of Kittur’ and hoisted the Nandi flag. Later, the dignitaries were also offered garlands at the statues of Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna and Amatur Balappa with garland.
Eranna Kadadi launched the colourful procession and enjoyed the Nasik band by beating the dhol. The procession included peacock dance, Theyyam from Kerala, chande-maddale, puja kunitha, Veeragase, Pata kunita, Chittemela, puppet dance and many artists’ teams participated in the procession.
Thousands of women took part in the procession with “Purna Kumbha”. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai launched the Kittur festival on October 2 in Bengaluru.
Addressing the gathering, Iranna Kadadi said, “It was my privilege to launch the state-level Kittur festival. I have requested the Union Government to recognise the Kittur Veera Rani Channamma as the first woman who sparked the fire of the freedom fight in the country. There is a belief, that she is the first woman freedom fighter in the Hindi-speaking region. This has to be proved once again in history. Therefore, I requested the Union Government to celebrate it as a national festival. I had already given notice to raise the topic in the Rajya Sabha, but the session did not take place. In this way, Kannadigas should keep the names of Karnataka’s freedom fighters in order to promote the state’s history. “
“Women’s forces or battalions should have the names of Belavadi Mallamma, Kittur Channamma. I will present a proposal in the upcoming session”, Eranna said.
The festival included canine show, fruit and flower exhibition. A Nandi statue, made out of flowers, and images of famous personalities carved out of fruits mainly late actor Puneeth Rajkumar, attracted many people.
There will be a live music concert by renowned singer Vijay Prakash and the team in the evening. Thousands witnessed the state-level Kittur Festival.
