Floral replica of Constitution steals the show at exhibition in Kalaburagi

A two-day fruit and flower exhibition-cum-sale was inaugurated on the Sri Sharanabasaveshwara Lake Garden premises in the city on Sunday, with a striking floral replica of the Constitution emerging as the main attraction.

Organised jointly by the Kalaburagi district administration, Zilla Panchayat, Sri Sharanabasaveshwara Lake Development Authority and the Department of Horticulture, the exhibition attracted large crowds with its creative displays and farmer participation.

The replica of the Constitution, designed by floral artist K. Jagadeesh of Jai Srikrishna Events, was decorated using nearly 1.5 lakh flowers, including marigold, chrysanthemum, asparagus and other ornamental varieties. The elaborate installation was a major crowd-puller.

To enhance the display, a variety of vegetables such as watermelon, brinjal, bottle gourd, carrot, cucumber and capsicum were artistically arranged around the floral Constitution. Intricate vegetable carvings depicting prominent landmarks of Kalaburagi, including the Sri Sharanabasaveshwara temple, Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah, Kalaburagi Fort and Buddha Vihar, added a distinctive local touch to the exhibition.

A vegetable rangoli and specially designed selfie point prepared by women staff of the Horticulture Department also were popular attractions.

Regional Commissioner Zahira Naseem and Deputy Commissioner B. Fouzia Taranum appreciated the efforts of the women employees.

“The Constitution-themed exhibition was organised after three years. It was a remarkable showcase of creativity combining agriculture, art and heritage,” Ms. Taranum said.

More than 500 exhibits featuring fruits, vegetables and flowers cultivated by farmers from all taluks of the district under various horticulture schemes were put on display.

Among the notable exhibits were California Queen Berry from Afzalpur taluk, mint and pineapple from Chincholi, mushrooms and palm crops from Kalaburagi taluk and banana and papaya from Aland.

Watermelon carvings portraying national leaders and freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi, D.R. Bendre, Bhagat Singh, Rani Lakshmibai, Chandrashekhar Azad, Sangolli Rayanna, Subhas Chandra Bose, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Kittur Rani Chennamma captivated the visitors.

Paintings of the Buddha, Basava and B.R. Ambedkar by artist Ismail from Hubballi were also on display.

The exhibition also facilitated direct sale of fruits, vegetables and value-added products from farmers to consumers. Grape growers from Afzalpur, organic produce sellers and farmers offering banana chips and turmeric products were among those who participated.

The Raddewadi Krishi Vigyan Kendra sold terrace and kitchen garden seed kits at subsidised rates.

Inaugurating the exhibition, MLC Jagadeva Guttedar said that the Horticulture Department made commendable efforts to organise the event which benefited farmers by creating awareness about new varieties and innovative cultivation practices.