Other Topics : Art Culture - Fashion - Tourism

Latest & Hot News about our Art and Culture

Return to current news about Art and Culture

With relaxed deadline, Navratris could get more sponsors
Indo-Asian News Service

Ahmedabad, Oct 4 (IANS) Organisers of the nine-night Navratri festival in Gujarat are now working overtime to bag more sponsors, with the Supreme Court relaxing the 10 p.m. deadline for use of loudspeakers by two hours.

Even as the festival began Tuesday, the court's verdict Monday enthused organisers who hope the sponsors who had been evading them so far would now give a good response. 

Advertisers and sponsors had refrained from investing big amounts following the earlier deadline for use of loudspeakers up to 10 p.m. thinking it would keep the crowds out.

"Sponsors didn't take to the early Garba deadline very kindly. They were demanding a 30 to 40 percent discount, reasoning that only half the crowd would turn up," said Paresh Patel of the Karnavati club.

The organisers had even come up with other ways to attract crowds.

"To ensure early crowds, we decided to give away gift hampers to those walking into the venue between 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.," said Vimal Upadhyay of Indian Idol Dandiya Masti - 2005.

The new deadline has sent the musical bands to into merry making. 

"We are now getting proposals from organisers who called off the show earlier," said Sargam Orchestra director Anupam Vyas.

The Supreme Court Monday fixed the new deadline for use of loudspeakers at 12 a.m.