BENGALURU: Marking 50 years of the first Jnanapeeta award to rashtrakavi Kuvempu, this year’s annual flower show at Lalbagh has a major attraction-replica of Kavimane, poet’s house in Kuppalli. Jog falls and Kavishaila have also come alive at the garden located in the heart of the city.
On Friday, governor Vajubhai Vala inaugurated the show which will continue till August 15 at Lalbagh. The Kavimane housed at Glasshouse has been made out of 3.5 lakh Dutch roses, carnation flowers and orchids. The Horticulture department authorities will replace flowers once in three days to keep the fresh look intact. Total 10.5 lakh flowers are likely to be used on the structure, height of which is 21 feet. The width is 38 feet.
“It’s amazing to see Kavimane in Bengaluru. The flowers and the colours are so perfect that it looks like Kavimane has exactly been reconstructed in Lalbagh. Kannada got the first Jnanpith award because of him 50 years back and this is the best way to give tribute to the Rashtrakavi, whom we are proud of,’’ Chandrashekar Bhat, a native of Theerthahalli, one among the early visitors.
There is also replica of Kavishaila, a rock monument built over poet’s burial site at Kuppalli. Besides there is a 3D miniature Jog Falls where one can see all Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket in its splendour. As many as 30 artists toiled for 25 days to recreate mini-Malnad, including Kuppalli.
Kuvempu’s poetries, cut-outs and photographs from the plays written by him are spread across Lalbagh.A photo gallery with lyrics of Naada Geethe, Raitha Geethe and Vishwa Manava Sandesha is also there.
“We have also arranged talks on the major works of Kuvempu. His poems will be recited everyday between 4 pm and 7 pm. A huge stage has been erected where some of his plays will be enacted. Kuvempu’s fictional character Poovamma and scenes from Kanooru Heggadathi, Maleyalli Madhumagalu and Ramayana Darshanam are expected to attract many litterateurs,’’ said a senior official of horticulture department.
As many as 150 varieties of seasonal flowers and nearly 10,000 potted plants are on display. A total of Rs 1.7 crore has been spent on it and over four lakh people are expected to visit Lalbagh this fortnight. Lalbagh West Gate entrance will have additional counters to help Metro riders during the flower show. Several measures have been taken this year to tackle any emergency situation arising during the flower show.
Parking
Parking arrangements made near HOPCOMS, Shantinagar Bus Stand and Al Ameen College on Double Road along with multi-level car parking on J C Road
My father would have loved to be here...
During sixties, When M H Marigowda was director, my father was serving as vice-chancellor of Mysuru University. He used to visit Bengaluru to attend meetings and me and my siblings used to come to Lalbagh with him. My father loved nature and flowers. He would have loved to visit Lalbagh now. Once Marigowda got a plant for him from Ooty on special request. I still remember how my mother used to take care of that. Over the years, Lalbagh has not changed and is as beautiful as before
Tarini Chidananda (72), Kuvempu’s daughter