Farmer leaders will inaugurate Kittur Utsav today

A view of Kittur Fort in Belagavi district where the Utsav will begin on Friday. | Photo credit: PK BADIGER

Farmer leader Chukki Nanjundaswamy will inaugurate the Kittur Utsav at Kittur in Belagavi district on Friday. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will attend the valedictory ceremony on Sunday.

MLA Babasaheb Patil told reporters in Belagavi on Thursday that the three-day festival will feature discussion sessions on the history of the Battle of Kittur and Rani Channamma’s rule, cultural programmes, exhibitions and sports.

“For the first time, a mega livestock fair will be organized as part of the Utsav. It will showcase native and hybrid breeds of cattle, sheep, goats and poultry which will benefit farmers,” he said.

He spoke after reviewing the final stages of preparations. The state government has released ₹2 crore for the Utsav, he said, adding that the Chief Minister has promised to release more if needed.

“The state government is taking steps to protect the heritage of Kittur and preserve its monuments. We have constructed a retaining wall at the local fort and the theme park will be launched soon,” he said.

“The state government has released about ₹50 crore for the Kittur Development Authority in three years. These funds are being used exclusively for the development of the fort. Sports events like Kabaddi, volleyball, wrestling, water sports, flower and fruit show, seminars, poetry recital and cultural programs will be held,” he said.

Kittur Development Authority Commissioner Santosh Hangal said a discussion on Kittur would be organized which would include women’s resources and a recital by a poetess.

K. Sharif will start the recital. Gurudevi Hulleppanavarmath and others will attend. A total of 6,500 students and 700 teachers are expected to participate.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Veerayya Hiremath said that nearly 1,00,000 people are expected to attend the festival every day.

Adequate security measures were taken, 450 officers and personnel were deployed along with 200 home guards.

Deputy Director of Department of Kannada and Culture Vidyavati Bhajantri said film actor Sharan, music director Arjun Janya, rap artist Chandan Shetty, Shamitha Malnad, singer Rajesh Krishnan, North Karnataka folk singers Hanamanta Lamani and Balu Belagundi along with other artists will perform.

Published – 22 Oct 2026 21:06 IST