Kasaragod set to host first International Beach Festival
Kasaragod (PTI): The 'Spice Coast' in the far north of Kerala, better known as North Malabar, will bask in myriad colours and the pomp and splendour of the cultural extravaganza titled 'Bekal International Beach Festival' from December 24.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the 10-day first international beach festival, that captures the wholeness and the essence of the district's cultural and artistic uniqueness and displays the rich cultural diversity and grandeur of the country, at the majestic Bekal Beach Park.
Around five lakh people from across the globe are set to revel at the festival that will be staged at the three venues of Chandragiri, Thejaswini, and Payaswini, organisers said.
The festival which also aims at revitalising the district's development by showcasing its potential, will offer a feast of cultural and musical nights, along with food festivals that capture the cuisine of Kasargod, exhibitions, and tour programmes.
Beach sports, which is staged on foreign shores, is the prime attraction of the fest.
Tourists from different parts of the world, especially from the Arab world, are expected to swarm and enjoy the event.
C H Kunhambu, MLA, said the festival would reflect the historical face of Kasargod.
"By conducting the festival, the diverse identity and culture-rootedness and legacy of Kasargod, also called the Sapthabhasha Sangamabhoomi' (the land where seven languages meet) could be proudly conveyed in front of a global audience," he said.
He complimented the local people for their wholehearted support in cutting caste-religion-political barriers to organise the event in a grand manner.
Kunhambu said the festival would reflect a cross-section of the culture and the unique identity of the land.
National artistes will stage their events at Chandragiri while Thejaswini will witness the programmes of Kudumbasree workers and in Payaswini, the artists from the district will stage their select traditional art forms at the same time.
Prominent figures from the political, cultural, and literary spheres will deliver cultural talks before the staging of the events at the main venues.
A total of two and a half lakh tickets have already been sold, said the legislator.
The event is being held conforming to the green protocols.
Kunhambu said Kasargod will become a mini-India by embracing and parading its artistic, cultural, linguistic, and social diversities during the festival. The venue is spread over 50 acres.
A host of famed artists including the likes of Nooran Sisters, Sithara Krishnakumar, Vidhu Prathap, Shabnam Riyaz, Mohammed Aslam, Praseetha Chalakkudy, Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar, and Stephen Devassy among others will perform on the festival days.
The other events to be staged on various days include helicopter ride, robotic show, kite fest, flower show, sand art, water sports, bridal fashion contest, beauty cutie-kids fashion show, national business trade expo, B2C FLEA Market, education expo, automobile expo, and an aqua show.
Over 1,000 international, national and local artists will perform at the beach festival, while eminent personalities like the Cuban Ambassador Alejandro Simancas Marin are expected to grace the event, an official statement said.
A special tour package named Yathrashree' is made available for tourists through Kudumbasree to explore exotic tourist destinations in the Kasargod district.
The tourists can also experience the traditional foods of Kasargod as well as the arts of Theyyam, Alaamikkali, and Yakshagana. The festival tickets are in digital form with QR code and are sold through Kudumbashree and Cooperative banks.
The Bekal International Beach festival is organised by Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC) in association with the District Tourism Promotion Council, Kudumbashree, Asmi Holidays, and the local self-government bodies in the district, the statement added.
The event would conclude on January 2.
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Cummins doubtful for T20 World Cup? It's quite grey right now, says Aus head coach
Melbourne (PTI): Australia skipper Pat Cummins' chances of playing at next year's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka are "quite grey at the moment" as he battles a back stress issue that has affected his participation in the ongoing Ashes series against England.
Cummins returned to play the third Ashes Test in Adelaide after missing the opening two matches, picking up six wickets to help Australia clinch the series 3-0.
However, the Australian Test and ODI skipper will take no further part in the series and even his participation at the T20 World Cup is also uncertain. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh is Australia's T20I captain.
"Looking forward to the World Cup, whether he will be there or not, I can't really say. It's quite grey at the moment. We're hopeful," head coach Andrew McDonald was quoted as saying by 'ESPNCricinfo'.
The fast bowler was diagnosed with a lumbar stress reaction during Australia's tour of the West Indies in July. He underwent rehabilitation before being cleared for a carefully managed return in Adelaide.
"He's pulled up fine. He won't play any part in the rest of the series and that was a discussion that we had a long time out around his return," McDonald said.
"We were taking on some risk and people that reported on that would understand the risk associated with that rebuild. We've now won the series and that was the goal.
"So, to position him for further risk and jeopardise him long-term is not something that we want to do and Pat's really comfortable with that," he added.
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7 across India and Sri Lanka with the summit clash set for March 8.
Australia's first match is on February 11 against Ireland at Colombo. Although Cummins captains the Test and ODI teams, all-rounder Mitch Marsh leads Australia in the shortest format.
