Chinnara Mela to showcase children's skills

mysore: the 25-day ``chinnara mela,'''' a special summer camp organised by nataka karnataka rangayana for children was inaugurated by actor-turned-politician mukhyamantri chandru here on monday. the annual camp aims to train over 300 children in the field of drama, music, dance, painting and other artistic skills, according to organisers. professional artists from karnataka will conduct the camp. noted kannada cine artistes ramesh bhat, ramakrishna, karibasavaiah, umesh, bank janardhan, chitra shenoy and chaya singh will also participate in the camp. lauding the event and its organisers, mukhyamantri chandru said, such `mela'' should not be restricted to mysore alone. chandru said he would hold talks with the cm and pursue him to sanction more funds, so that they can conduct such events across the state during summer. during the camp ``okuli utsava'''' will be the main attraction, besides, puppet show, kole basava, dollu kunitha and kogga kamak, according to the organisers. the other regular activities include music, dance, drama, model making, arts and face-to-face interactions with eminent personalities including poornachandra tejaswi.