Mysuru: After witnessing a grand Vijayadashami procession on the last day of Dasara, Mysureans will once again witness a procession of grandeur on the occasion of the three-day 83rd Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana to be held in city from Nov. 24. The statue of Kannadambe Bhuvaneshwari will be mounted on an elephant and taken on a procession marking the event.

The decision of a grand procession was mooted at a meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office yesterday to discuss the preparations for the mega event. The District Administration will write to the Forest Department on its requirement of an elephant for the procession and take a final decision on the use of elephants.

MLA G.T. Devegowda, who also heads the Cultural Committee, said that the process of identifying popular artistes to entertain the audience was on. He said that instead of inviting artistes and performers from outside, a chance must be given to local artistes.

Participating in the discussion, a few members said that performing artistes at the Sammelana have been demanding higher remuneration to perform at the venue. Assistant Director for Kannada and Culture Department H. Chennappa said that a majority of the artistes have been demanding a higher honorarium, which is not possible for the Organising Committee to pay.

According to the officer, playback singer Vijay Prakash has demanded Rs. 13 lakh to perform during the event. Similarly, a few others too have demanded higher amount. The Organising Committee has fixed Rs. 40 lakh for the Cultural Committee to host the events.

Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep told the authorities to convince the artistes and also to make them understand the significance of the event. He suggested them to look for artistes who suit the available budget. He also suggested that a meeting may be fixed with artistes and Mysuru District In-charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa to arrive at a consensus.

Continuing, the DC said that cultural programmes will be held at six different places including the Maharaja’s College grounds (main venue of the Sammelana), Kalamandira, and at Clock Tower. He instructed the Cultural Committee to invite popular singers to entertain the audience at all the venues.

Chennappa suggested that big establishments could be roped in to help the district administration in organising good cultural programmes.

The DC said that he would ask a few companies to sponsor certain events if the Committee falls short of funds to organise cultural programmes.

Many important avenues and areas will be illuminated on the lines of Dasara during the three-day event and Rs. 14 lakh was earmarked for this purpose. Scores of decorated bullock carts will be part of the Sammelana procession and farmers, who bring bullock carts, will be given Rs. 5,000 each for decorating both bullocks and the carts, the DC said. A publicity vehicle will be designed to go around the district to publicise the event and to draw the attention of the people living outside the city limits.

District Health Officer Dr. Basavaraju was assigned the job of stationing an ambulance at the venue and also to make available certain medicines at all the venues.  Over 2,500 volunteers, most of whom are NSS candidates from different colleges, will be deputed. As many as 15 different Committees have been formed to conduct the Sammelana successfully.

MLA Vasu, MUDA Chairman D. Dhruvakumar,  Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer P. Shivashankar, ZP President Nayeema Sultana, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Dr. Y.D. Rajanna, MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha were among those who attended the meeting.