The 200th-anniversary celebrations of Rani Channamma’s historic victory over the British East India Company will take place as part of this year’s Kittur Utsav, with events planned across Kittur, Belagavi, and Kakati—Channamma’s birthplace. Among the highlights will be the Rasamanjari musical night and dance programs in Belagavi.
District Collector Mohammad Roshan announced that, for the first time, Rasamanjari and dance performances will be organized in Belagavi. Nationally renowned singer Kunal Ganjawala will perform at the Belagavi District Stadium on October 22 at 4 p.m. on the eve of Kittur Utsav. The event will also feature Kannada comedian and music director Sadhu Kokila along with the Zee Kannada Sarigamappa team.
Dance performances by the Oxygen Dance Group, choreographed by Rekha Hegde, and folk dances by Rupaka and Jogati troupes led by Prakash Chandannanavar will also be part of the evening’s program.
The four-day Kittur Utsav will run from October 22 to October 25, with key events planned across multiple venues. On October 23, dignitaries will garland the statue of Rani Channamma at Kakati village. Sri Someshwar Shivacharya of Muktimath, along with MPs, MLAs, MLCs, and other leaders, will participate in the tribute.
The inaugural ceremony will take place in Kittur at 7 p.m. on October 23, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, and other prominent leaders in attendance. Minister Satish Jarkiholi and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan will hoist flags in Kittur earlier that morning.
In addition to cultural events, Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar will open a folk art exhibition, while MP Priyanka Jarkiholi will inaugurate a fruit and flower show. BJP MP Visveshwar Hegde Kageri will launch an exhibition, and health camps, sports activities, and a boat ride will also be inaugurated by local MLAs.
A series of cultural programs will follow, including an Odissi performance by Remindar Khurana at 7:30 p.m. on October 23. The next day, former Hampi Kannada University Vice-Chancellor Mallika Ghanti will open a session on women’s issues.
On October 24, the evening will feature performances by singer Vijay Prakash, flutist Praveen Ghodkindi, and Kuchipudi dancer Uday Shreemati, along with a classical dance presentation by the Kalamayam team.
The final day, October 25, will include a performance by singer Arman Mullick and discussions on the history of the Kittur empire. The valedictory event will be addressed by Purushottam Bilimale, Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority, bringing the celebrations to a close.
