Kodiyeri to open Utsavam-2007

Minister for Tourism Kodiyeri Balakrishnan will inaugurate Utsavam-2007 project of the Department of Tourism at a function at Bekal Beach Park in the district at 6 pm. on November 19, Uduma MLA K.V. Kunhiraman and District Collector and chairman of District Tourism Promotion Council N.A. Krishnankutty have said.

The project aims to hold performances of folk, tribal and classical art forms of the State in all 14 districts from November 24, 2007 to March 29, 2008 at 36 permanent venues on every Saturday. The stages would be arranged mostly at the tourism spots in the State, Mr. Kunhiraman said. He said the project is aimed at providing opportunities to artistes and thereby provide them financial help. Around 2,000 artistes are expected to participate in the programme in the State.

The performances would provide an opportunity to foreigners and local people an opportunity to learn more about the rich art and cultural heritage of the State, the MLA added. The Department of Tourism had already e-mailed the programme schedule to all leading tour operators in the country, Mr. Kutty said.

The Department of Tourism would also launch a website, http://utsavam.keralatourism.org, that could be accessed from November 20, the District Collector said.