Mysuru: The Brahmashri Narayana Guru Jayanthotsava celebration, organised by the District Administration along with Kannada and Culture Department and District Brahmashri Narayana Guru Jayanthotsava Samithi at Kalamandira on Hunsur Road here this morning, turned into a damp squib as the elected representatives and the Government officials failed to show up at the venue.

There were only about 200 people seated in the auditorium, which has the capacity of about 1,600 seats.

Though the programme was scheduled to commence at 11 am, it finally began an hour late with MyLAC Chairman H.A. Venkatesh inaugurating the celebration and delivering the inaugural address.

Retired Dy.SP Krishnamurthy, who delivered the keynote address, spoke on the life and teachings of Brahmashri Narayana Guru. Earlier, the programme commenced with the singing of                 ‘Naada Geethe’ by the singers who were sitting.

Meanwhile, a member from the audience, who spoke to SOM, took objections to the singers sitting down while singing the ‘Naada Geethe’ and alleged that though there is a rule which makes it mandatory for the elected representatives and Government officials to attend Government organised programmes, their absence shows how much they are following the rules and also blamed lack of publicity for poor turnout.

President of Mysuru-Chamarajanagar District Arya Ediga Association M.K. Pothraj, Women’s Wing President Sarojamma Papegowda, Vice-President Rajashekar Kadamba, Kannada and Culture Department Assistant Director H. Channappa, nominated Corporator Ananthu and others were present.