Pics: Spoorthi Ullal / Abhijith Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Updated
Mangaluru, Dec 22: The 10-day annual Karavali Utsav began on a grand note here on Friday December 22 with a grand procession through the arterial roads of the city.
Noted actor Prakash Rai (Raj) inaugurated the Karavali Utsav exhibition.
Addressing the gathering during the formal stage programmed, Prakash Rai said, "I have been called for Karavali Utsav inauguration, but who am I? Some can understand me and some cannot. For some I am a good person, for some others I am bad. Recently I have been criticized and abused badly, but that is their language, let them talk, I will talk my language.
Showering praises on coastal Karnataka region, he said, "Why does the term 'Karavali Utsav' have two names in it while Karavali region itself is an utsav (festival). The coastal region is enveloped between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Sea is the symbol of coastal region and filled with joy and festive spirit. This is the beauty of this coastal region and I love to enjoy its natural environment."
Responding to people questioning him about his surname, he said, "Some people question whether I am Prakash Rai or Prakash Raj, and say I am living a confused life. This was all started by MP Pratap Simha. My name is Prakash Rai and my screen name is Prakash Raj. It takes just common sense to understand this fact. When you question me, do you ask the same to Rajinikanth too? Actors like Rajinikanth (Shivaji Rao Gaekwad), Rajkumar (Mutturaj) and Vishnuvardhan (Sampath Kumar) have different names in real life. So what is the problem with my name? I was born and I belong to this coastal region. Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam people call me in different names but in my motherland some question me over my name. I have been able to achieve growth because of the culture and language of this coastal land. But they talk vulgur and abusive things because it is their language."
Taking a jibe at BJP MP Pratap Simha, he said, "Your name is Pratap Simha. There is Simha (lion) in your name. Now tell me, are you human or animal, whether you talk or roar, whether you have food like humans or you hunt, and whether you don't have any language?"
"They cannot understand the language of Utsav, the language of farmers. Language of fear is created through communal violence. The time has come for us retaliate. When a crime occurs we have to discuss with the police department but its unfortunate that issues are politicised. As citizens we have some responsibility to eradicate the atmosphere of fear," Prakash Rai said, adding, "I thank everyone for inviting me and creating an atmosphere that enabled me to give answers."
District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, minister for food and civil supplies U T Khader, MLA J R Lobo, Mohiudeen Bava, deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil, ZP CEO Dr M R Ravi and others were present.
Earlier, a colourful procession was flagged off by minister for food and civil supplies U T Khader flagged at Nehru Maidan. The event is being organised by the district administration at the Stage of Exhibition ground and Kadri Park.
The procession moved from Nehru Maidan through AB Shetty circle - Hampankatta circle - KS Rao road - Navbharath circle - PVS circle - Ballalbagh - Lalbagh and culminated at Karavali Utsav ground.
The procession included 70 teams from different districts portraying their traditional dances such as Chende, Dollu from Chikkamagluru and Shivamogga, Veeragase, Kolata team from Sagar, Puravantike from Haveri, Kannada Bhuvaneshwari tableaux, folk dance,Veera Bhadra dance from Mysuru and local tiger dance. It was wonderful sight as the cultural teams dressed in their traditional costumes moved through the city streets.
MLA Mohiudeen Bava, deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil, zilla panchayat CEO Dr M R Ravi, MCC commissioner Mohammed Nazeer and others were present.