Kannadati Utsava – 2017

The theme of Kannadati Utsava 2017 was “Kannadatiya hejje”. More than 200 people, primarily women, joined the celebrations during 3 days – Dec 8-10, 2017 – held at “Vismaya” gallery of “Rangoli – Metro Art Centre”, M.G.Road, Bengaluru. More than 40 contributors – artists, writers and performers of all ages – school children to senior citizens – enthusiastically shared their exhibits, paintings, literature and performance depicting the stories centered around women.

Noted actor, Padmavathi Rao (also known as Akshatha Rao from her “Geeta” movie), inaugurated the festival. National Throwball Team Captain Krupa Prasad and Senior Journalist R.Poornima also graced the occasion as special guests.

To signify women’s steps, the inauguration ceremony was conducted in a unique way with Padmavathi Rao stepping onto a tray with clay and forming her footprints. The clay tray was the contribution by the Sculptor Sharada Bharadwaj.

Expressing dismay that there are hardly any lullabies addressing baby-girls, well-known Kannada writer, Smt. Vasumati Udupa, wrote a lullaby specifically to share at Kannadati Utsava. Other noted contributors included Wanita Ashok, Dr.Charita Mysuru, Saleem Hameed, D.Yashoda, Anjali Ramanna, Mamatha Deva from Kodagu, Mamatha Arasikere and Deepa Girish (Deepada Malli).

Vimochana, a women’s organisation, contributed a unique documentary, “Song of the Cike”. Another women’s organisation, AIMSS, set up a book-stall. “Funky Rainbow – travelling Children’s Book shop” brought their books of Indian Children stories and Vidya Mani anchored a discussion about Indian Children’s stories -“Girls to the Rescue”.

Konarak Reddy and Kirtana Kumar graciously let us borrow a rare copy of the Kannada translation of Snehalata Reddy’s Prison Diary, translated by TR Mohan. The Extracts from her diary were first published in English by U R Ananthamurthy for Human Rights committee, Karnataka State.

‘Prison Diary’ is a personal record of the time Snehalata Reddy was unlawfully incarcerated during the emergency. Snehalata Reddy was a vibrant presence in Bangalore ‘s artistic, activist and political communities. Her diary, through her very personal journey, throws light on the system and the conditions in which people are imprisoned.

Kuditini Akkanagamma came from her village Kuditini of Ballari district to participate in the Kannadati Utsava by singing Jaanapada songs starting with a lullaby for baby-girls and songs to celebrate various milestones of a woman’s life. Akkanagamma, a gifted poet and singer, often creates songs spontaneously based on the occasion. She created a few songs on the spot at Kannadati Utsava.

Other live-performances included Magic Show by Sharada G.S., enactment of a scene from Kuvempu’s “Raktakshi” By Deepada Malli, Yoga performance by Srilakshmi of Durga Vegetables and team, Stand Up Comedy by Ranga Lakshmi.

The festival also included two panel discussions – one on economic empowerment and another on political empowerment. Chinnmaye Praveen, Ranjani Raman, Seema Prabhu were the panelists of “Entrepreneurs’ World” discussion anchored by Shamantha DS of Sarathi Jhalak. Girija Vijayakumar, Kavitha Reddy and Dr.Sumitra Iyengar and Veda Athavale were the panelists in the discussion “Politics Beyond Parties” anchored by Shanthala Damle of Avala Hejje.

Kanndati Utsava celebrations were reported in Indian Express, a major English daily.