GULBARGA: As the administrative machinery is busy in preparations for the ‘Gulbarga Utsav’, concerns are being raised regarding the name of the historical city, which was known as Kalaburgi (now Gulbarga).
Efforts of the district administration, particularly by Hyderabad-Karnataka Development Board secretary Shalini Rajanish and Gulbarga Regional Commissioner Rajanish Goel, to mark the district’s presence on the national map by organising an investors’ meet to attract investors, who wish to set up industries in Hyderabad- Karnataka region have been commendable.
The Utsav would take the people of the district to another world of culture, entertainment and adventure for a whole fortnight from April 5 to 17. But the old and traditional residents are unhappy that the mega-event is being promoted as ‘Gulbarga Utsav’.
They argue that before the Nizam’s rule in Hyderabad- Karnataka region, Gulbarga was known as Kalaburgi.
Even documents such as survey numbers etc confirm that centuries ago this region was popular as Kalaburgi.
Former CM HD Kumaraswamy had sent a proposal to the Union government during his tenure, suggesting to change Gulbarga’s name to Kalaburgi, along with a few other cities of Karnataka.
The matter is still pending with the Union government.
Many literary figures of the district too, have opined that ‘Kalaburgi Utsava’ is a better title for the fest. The organisers in the promotional material for the Utsava, mentioned that the Utsava is ‘Bisilurina Vaibhava’. ‘Bisiluru’ means the hot city.
On one side the administration is inviting people to participate in the Utsava, while on the other, it is warning that the city would be hot during the festival.
Shalini Rajanish and Rajanish Goel defended the administration on both the issues, as they said that in the official records, the city is identified as Gulbarga and hence, the festival had to be called ‘Gulbarga Utsava.’ About ‘Bisilurina Vaibhava’, they say that the intention behind this was to show the nation that even during severe summer, Gulbarga can successfully organise such mega development and cultural events.
The Information Department too does not lag behind in suggesting another name for Gulbarga- ‘Suryanagari’. It is not that there is something specific about the sun in Gulbarga, neither does the city have any Sun temple, but the Information Department wishes that the city be named ‘Suryanagar