World Kannada Meet: Feasting the eyes on 23 different tableaux

One language, many worlds. That in essence summed up Friday’s inaugural march of the World Kannada Meet where 23 tableaux from various districts showcased the diversity that makes up the Kannada heritage.

The tableau of Bellary district was the showstopper. The tableaux from Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Tumkur districts too made the heads turn.

The Bellary tableau recreated the golden era of Vijayanagara Kingdom. Designed by Gubbi Bayalaiah, the tableau sought to capture the material and artistic wealth of the kingdom of Krishnadevaraya. “Fifteen artists have worked on this tableau for over a week,” Venugopal, in charge of the tableau, told DNA.

The Udupi tableau showcased the district’s Yakshagana heritage and a portrait of poet Muddanna. The Belgaum tableau focused on Kittur, Kodagu on Cauvery river, Chikkaballapur the towering Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya and Nandi hills, Kolar its Koti Linga pilgrim centre and Tumkur the Siddaganga Mutt.

Bidar, Ramanagara, Koppal and Chitraduraga had forts at the centre of their tableaux.

A 650-kg silver chariot carrying the idol of the Kannada goddess, Bhuvaneshwari, was one of the main attractions. The chariot belongs to a Jain basadi.

The team accompanying Mysore district’s tableau had to weather a tragedy on their way to Belgaum. Tableau designer D Ananda Murthy said that the lorry ferrying the tableau met with an accident near Kadur, Chikmagalur district.

The lorry driver died on the spot. But the team decided to carry on.