The three-day Haveri Zilla Utsav ended on Sunday night in Haveri after a colourful and enthralling evening of cultural programmes presented by various troupes from across the State.
Thousands of people had congregated at the Hosamani Siddappa District Stadium where the cultural programmes went on even after midnight. In the wake of drought, the district administration had refrained from making grand arrangements but there was no dearth of grandeur in the cultural performances.
On the concluding day, various troupes enthralled the audience.
Among the performances, the dance drama on Abhimanyu by danseuse Sahana Bhat and members of Natyanjali troupe from Hubballi won the hearts of the people with a lively performance.
The concluding event of the utsav was a rocking performance by playback singers Rajesh Krishnan and Shamita Malnad and troupe, which made the audience particularly, the youngsters dance to their hit Kannada numbers.
District in-charge Minister Rudrappa Lamani and MP Shivakumar Udasi watched the performances till the end. By the time the performance concluded, it was 1.30 a.m.
The three-day utsav had various sessions on literature and issues related to the district, exhibition and food stalls, a painting exhibition and fun games for the children.
Earlier, speaking at the valedictory ceremony, Mr. Rudrappa Lamani, who is also Minister for Textiles and Muzrai, announced that along with the utsav, an ambitious programme to remove silt from lakes in the district had been inaugurated.
He said that steps to convert Haveri city into a green city by planting six lakh saplings had been initiated and Heggeri Lake in Haveri would be developed into a tourist spot.
The former MLA and film actor B.C. Patil told the administration to hold the zilla utsav in the taluk centres. Achievers in various fields were honoured on the occasion.
Deputy Commissioner of Haveri M.V. Venkatesh and a host of elected representatives were present.