Dharwad: Dharwad Sahitya Sambhrama, a literary festival at the Jaipur literary festival line, which is usually held in January every year it is not possible this time, thanks to the restrictions regarding Covid imposed by the government.
Literary events that saw seven editions cannot be held in 2020 and 2021.
Dharwad Sahita Sambhrama Trust has held a three-day event every year since 2013 and FEST has attracted a large number of literature and art lovers from not only carnataka but also from other states.
‘Sambhrama’ was inspired by the Jaipur literary festival but not a replica.
It has developed its own way to do events.
Events include sessions on various relevant topics followed by crowded debates and sometimes heated.
Fest has provided opportunities for literature and art lovers to see tender and their favorite and top artists and interact with them.
Sahita Sambhrama organizing committee found it difficult to raise funds for the event and the government’s uncertainty that released the promised funds had given a shadow at the festival.
The demand for funds in the annual budget of the state government remains unfulfilled.
Meanwhile, the world of literature has lost leading emping like Ur Ananthmurthy, KS Nissar Ahmed, Professor S Shettar, Siddalingaiiah, GS Amur, MM Kalurgi, Garaddi Govidraj and Chandrashekhar Patil, which is the center of attraction at the festival.
During the Congress government-JD when HD Kumarswamy was the main minister.
Then the Minister of Kannada and DK Shivakumar’s culture decided to stop grants to organizations that conduct literary and cultural events sponsored by the department.
The argument is that many immoral organizations suck up funds.
As a result, there is no budget allocation to the department to fund this event.
The budget estimate of the Dharwad Sahita Sambhrama is Rs 30 Lakh and from RS 15 Lakh from the Department.
Grants for the 2019 edition have not been released until December 2019.
The prominent supervisor and writer includes the poet Channaveera Kanavi has approached the Kannada and Culture Minister Ravi, the Jagadish Shettar District Minister, MLA Arvind Bellad and Secretary of the Ministry of Kannada and the culture of seeking their help in getting a grant for the festival .
“They convinced they would try to get funds, but no one was officially done in that direction,” said a trustee.
“Our efforts are active to convince the powerful people about the need to support the event.
If the government released a grant and restrictions on Covid-19 was released, we can hold a festival next year”, said other trusters.
Description: Professor MM Kalurgi, S Shettar and Hanumakshi Gogi in Dharwad Sahitya Sambhrama.
(PIC file)