Activists plan Kannada Habba

Activists plan Kannada Habba
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: A day after making their point at the inauguration of the Bangalore Habba, Kannada activists on Monday announced they would celebrate an exclusive ‘‘Kannada Habba’’ showcasing local talent by February next.

A brainchild of Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Chandrashekhar Patil (Champa) and Kannada theatre person C Basavalingiah, the exclusive festival will be held under the banner ‘‘Jana Samskruthi’’.

Senior artistes in the State with Karunada Sene members meet on Thursday on discuss details, the theatre veteran said.

Bangalore Habba on Sunday featured Kannada play ‘‘Dyavanooru’’ by Neenasam Thirugaata troupe. Although advertisements stated that the play was directed by Basavalingiah, the man himself says he was unaware of it.

‘‘The organisers have used my name in their brochures but they did not have the decency to inform me about it. I only found out about it from newspapers. Naturally, I am upset,’’ Basavalingiah told this website’s newspaper.

Kannada activists suspect it was a deliberate by organisers. ‘‘The event is a gimmick to promote globalisation. Corporate sectors are using cultural agents for marketing their own brands,’’ Karunada Sene member ‘‘Agni’’ Sreedhar said.

Basavalingiah added, ‘‘If it was a straightforward cultural festival, why all the secrecy? While local theatre academies like Neenasam are suffering from lack of funds, the Government is wrong in granting huge sums to a five-day festival’’.

He was referring to Bangalore Habba receiving Rs 5 lakh from the state and another Rs 15 lakh from the Centre. Activists are also unhappy about the fact that many senior local artistes were ignored by organisers. They demanded transparency in all the dealings.

Although Bangalore Habba was a big hit last year, when it was first held, it is receiving mixed reactions from citizens this time around. Forums like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and Karunada Sene had protested against the event on Sunday, alleging that it did not give importance either to the local artistes or to their culture. Sreedhar said the Sene would continue to hold demonstrations at Habba shows over the next few days.

Activists also insist that an event named after the capital of Karnataka should showcase only Kannada culture. That the show is co-organised by prominent personalities from the IT and BT sector like Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and Rohini Nilekani has added to their ire.

Protestors claim that growth of IT and BT in the city has led to a decline in the local culture. ‘‘When Kannadigas are denied opportunities outside their state, why should Bangalore be the home for all other cultures?’’ they ask.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat president and Karunada Sene leader Chandrashekhar Patil said globalisation was the cause of dying cultures all over the world. Bangalore Habba was a ruse to spread ‘‘corporatisation’’ and hence anti-Kannada sentiments, he accused.

Activists refused to talk: Nandini Alva

The Habba was intended purely as a platform for performing arts. We are not claiming to be custodians of culture.

Maybe some aspects have been neglected. We did invite the activists to discuss their issues with us but they refused.

In fact, to ensure participation by all strata of society, entrance to most shows are free. I am upset by the protests. I doubt if we will repeat the event next year.