Heritage Festival 2024 - The past with new visions

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, November 30, 2024: A Heritage Festival is slated for November 30 & December 1 as a start for ongoing programmes, organised by the District Administration at the old DC building, a structure with a rich historical legacy in the city near State bank and Vivanta Hotel.  The DC office is being moved to a new location, the oldest  buildings are preserved in their original form and red colour. The artistic structures remain to this day  as testament to the district’s  hoary history.

Once known as the Collector’s Office during British rule, it housed the administrative hub for South Kanara (Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kasargod districts) in the British era Madras Presidency. It also functioned as the main office for British officers before India’s Independence. Even after Independence, the deputy commissioner’s (DC) office operated from this historic base.

To celebrate the long deserved history and raise awareness among the public and students about the rich heritage and history of the building, a week long celebration is being observed, from Saturday November 30.  The schedule for November 30 includes a painting competition for students of government schools at 10 am, where participants can depict any ancient memorial buildings of their choice. At 2 pm, an architecture competition for college students will focus on the interior and exterior views of the building, encouraging ideas to enhance its aesthetic appeal. Traditional walks are scheduled from 11 am to 12 noon and again from 3 pm to 4 pm. An open interaction session followed by a prize distribution ceremony will take place at 4:30 pm, while a musical programme will begin at 6 pm. An art exhibition will be held from 10 am to 6 pm on both November 30 and December 1.  The DC office plans to host various activities at the old DC building and its campus to attract more tourists, according to Karnataka Official sources.

                                                                                                                                                                                    -By I J Saldanha-Shet