Ballari: Shilpakala Shibira (sculpture camp) will begin on October 22 at Hampi, the erstwhile seat of Vijayangar empire, as a prelude to Hampi Utsav 2017, a mega cultural extravaganza of dance, drama and music on November 3, 4 and 5.
This is the fourth year in a row that the camp is being organised under the auspices of the Department of Kannada and Culture, Tourism, Karnataka Shilpa Kala Academy and the district administration.
Labour and district in-charge minister Santosh Lad will inaugurate the camp opposite Shivaram Avadhootha Mutt at Hampi. Sculptors from across the state will take part. Meanwhile, preparations for Hampi Utsav have begun on a grand scale.
Mr Lad and other officials checked on the progress of works, including cleaning at various places identified for erecting stages and parking lots, among other things. He sought a progress report on installing streetlights and illuminating monuments.
Sources said tenders for erecting nine stages have been finalised. The work of erecting platforms and stages for staging ‘Karnataka Vaibhava’, a light and sound programme of the Song and Drama Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is under way near Elephant Stables. Workers were seen setting the focus lights up for the programme.
Mr Lad said that all efforts are on to organise Hampi Utsav on a grand scale. He said that a list of artistes, including those of national and international repute, is being finalised and will be announced this week.
