Sainik School Bijapur 79 Kannada Sahitya Sammelana Bijapura The three-day 79th Kannada Sahitya Sammelan began at Sainik School Bijapur campus on Saturday with a colourful procession. A large number of people participated in the procession in which Sammelana president writer Ko. Channabasappa was taken to the venue in a decorated chariot. Folk artistes performed Hagaluvesha, Joguti Kunita, Kani Vadana, Kudari Tanda, Dolla Kunita and Karadi Mazal during the procession. The procession, which started around 8.30 a.m. from the Central Bus Stand, Siddeshwar temple and Siddeshwar temple culminated at Gandhi Circle from where it proceeded to Sainik School Ground, venue of the sammelan, at noon. Since the sammelan is being held in Bijapur district after nine decades, the enthusiasm of the people to be part of the cultural event was palpable as they had gathered in hundreds to witness the procession. Many watched the procession from the terraces and balconies of the houses and commercial complexes. The police band, the mounted police of Mysore, Sainik School Band, Mounted Horses from Sainik School and the women's band of Karnataka State Women's University added glitter to the procession. Each of the performing troupe was accompanied by two volunteers of Scouts and Guides and the play cards were displayed by 60 cadets of Sainik School Bijapur. Main water-proof pendal (300x600 feet) having a sitting capacity for 15, 000 delegates was ready. The parade ground was the main venue for seating the delegates with 15,000 chairs. The stage was constructed with capacity to seat 200 dignitaries at a time. The obstacle race course was leveled and cook house was established to serve three lakh people in three days 'Akshara Jaatre'. The cook house and the serving points for men and women were established in the entire length and breadth of the obstacle course . This area is very close to the Bijapur Athani Road. About 30 lavatories and many more urinals were constructed for the use of the delegates. There were about 400 water taps for bathing and washing. Direct water pipes were laid from the district hospital overhead tank to provide water for cooking, washing and drinking. About 500 stalls were erected to establish book stalls. Most of the publishing houses from Karnataka have put their publications for exhibition and sale. Multiple TV Channels made Sainik School Bijapur their home in the Air conditioned Media center established near the individual obstacle course. The 'Kanti Auditorium' was used as the second venue to keep the parallel literary discussion to go on. Hundreds of eminent speakers came to the Sammelan to deliberate. Many artists performed on the stage. On the side lines of the 'Sahitya Sammelan' artists from various places presented a gallery of paintings for the visitors. It drew big crowds on all the three days. Jowar roti, groundnut chutney, curd and mango pickle,. 'Shenga holige' (a sweet made out of wheat flour, groundnut and jiggery) and sweets were served on all three days to literature lovers. The academic sessions were punctuated with intervals of dance, music and other cultural programmes, which continued till late night. About 40 new and special buses were arranged for the use of the visitors to travel to different locations of the historical places at Bijapur. During the sammelan, the NEKRTC has decided to offer a concessional fare of Rs. 5 to travel across the city. These buses would join the city transport buses from Friday to provide better services for the local passengers. However, they would provide an additional service mainly for the thousands of delegates arriving in the city to participate in the sammelan. The guests from other parts of the State were provided accommodation in marriage halls, hotels, schools and choultries. Kannada ghazals have reverberated during the 79th All-India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, the three-day event beginning in Bijapur on February 9. Thirty Two preparatory committees have been involved in putting the event together. The archaeological survey of India has agreed to allow visitors in the Gol Gumbaz garden after 6pm. In addition, the district administration has installed electric lighting to illuminate the garden between 7pm to 9pm daily during the event and Hescom has risen to the occasion by ensuring uninterrupted power supply. The ministry of defence has extended its cooperation by allowing organisers to hold the convention in Sainik School campus ground.

• published: 11 Feb 2013
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