South Kanara district history to be renewed by Musical fountain

South Kanara district history to be renewed by Musical fountain

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 23,2017: The hoary history of the ’South Kanara district’ of the past is sure to attract visitors to Deer Park  soon. The planned musical fountain at the spot opposite Kadri Park will have a new feature that includes a laser show dedicated to retell the history of the district that later was bifurcated as Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

A 10-minute proposed script in Kannada prepared by a committee headed by Prof B A Viveka Rai, former vice-chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi, has been finalised, with the search for a narrator with deep baritone, to record the voice-over.

MUDA, Mangaluru Urban Development Authority,  Commissioner Srikanth Rao told media that the history will be narrated starting with European influence. The pictures of St Aloysius Chapel, the oldest chapel in the city, followed by the Kadri temple and the oldest mosque in the district, among other landmark structures that form the past, will be screened on dancing water. It is modelled on the lines of the fountain at Swami Narayan Akshardham Temple in Gujarat.

The work on the fountain is designed by BNA Technology, Bengaluru, the brain behind the popular musical fountain at Brindavan Gardens at KRS in Mandya district. The work is almost complete, with plans to launch a test.

The fountain will be of 20 minutes’ duration, with 50,000 litres of water used for the purpose. Water will be recycled for the purpose, while round-the-clock power supply will be ensured for a hassle-free show after dusk. The maximum capacity of water jets is 20 metres vertically, with different types of jets used to maintain the levels, higher and lower. The control behind the fountain will be manned by dedicated technicians.

Stage for action :  To cater to the fun-loving youth who shake a leg  for songs, a separate stage has been built in the front (of the fountain), with interlock tiles covering the surface. Such youth can make use of the platform, while they get drenched in the dancing waters. The open air gallery with a seating capacity for 250 people has been built right opposite.

"The entry fee to the park is yet to be fixed, but it will be nominal, he assured. The fee will also be the ticket for musical fountain," Commissioner Srikanth Rao said.

Rao attributed the four-acre park getting a new look as per the vision of Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo and MUDA Chairman Suresh Ballal. "It includes a children’s play area, all encompassed by walking path with equal focus on enhancing the greenery making use of existing trees and soon to be developed lawns on the mounted space. The total project cost is Rs 4.97 crore with Rs 2.45 crore spent on fountain, followed by civil works," said Rao.

Ballal said, "The fountain will also feature the significance of Yakshagana, Bhootaradhane and other prominent cultural connections of the district. It is expected to be a summer offering, with the works underway in full swing, to open the park for visitors in April."

Walk ’n’ music : The park that was earlier known as Radio Park, is also set to recreate the magic of radio. The walking area will be fixed with speakers connected to the radio in the building in the centre. The building - standing testimony to bygone days, as it was once equipped with radio that attracting people in large numbers - will also be restored. As the people walk, they can hear to the songs and music transmitted on radio.