Mysore/Mysuru: As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and World Tribal Day celebrations, a three-day Adivasi Nrutya Mahotsav (Tribal Dance Festival) has been organised from Aug. 9 to Aug. 11 at various venues in city. The festival, which aims to bring awareness about tribal culture and history among people, will be inaugurated by District Minister S.T. Somashekar at KSOU’s Cauvery Auditorium  tomorrow at 4.30 pm. MLA L. Nagendra will preside.

The festival has been jointly organised by South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, All India Folk and Tribal Art Parishat (AIFTA), New Delhi-Mysuru Unit, Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Rangayana, Mysuru and Karnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal (KSGH) Music and Performing Arts University.

Disclosing this at a press meet held at Music University premises in city this morning, AIFTA General Secretary Hassan Raghu said that eight teams with 15 members each from across the country will present their respective tribal dance forms.

SCZCC, Nagpur Director Dr. Deepak Kiruvadkar, KSOU Vice-Chancellor Dr. S. Vidyashankar, Music Varsity VC Prof. V. Nagesh Bettakote, Karnataka Folklore University VC Prof. T.M. Bhaskar and AIFTA President Nirmal Vaid will be the chief guests.

On Aug. 10, Prof. Nagesh Bettakote will inaugurate the seminar and workshop at 11 am at Music Varsity premises.

Varsity Registrar (Administration) Prof. T.S. Devaraju, Karnataka Tribal Research Institute Director Rajesh G. Gowda will be the chief guests.

Rangayana Director Addanda C. Cariappa will inaugurate Adivasi Nrutya Mahotsav at 5.30 pm at Rangayana premises. Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. B.S. Manjunathaswamy will preside.

CADA Chairman  G. Nijagunaraju,  Zoo Authority of Karnataka Chairman Shivakumar, University of Mysore (UoM) Registrar (Administration) Prof. R. Shivappa and Rangayana Deputy Director Nirmala Matapathi will be the chief guests.

The valedictory will be held on Aug. 11 at Rangayana premises at 5.30 pm. Former MLC Siddaraju will inaugurate. AIFTA President Nirmal Vaid will preside. Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited (MPVL) Chairman Raghu R. Kautilya, Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman Mirle Srinivas Gowda will be the chief guests.

The dance festival is open for the general public. There will be no entry fee. For details, call Mob: 83770-92030 or 90083-36092.