Udupi, Feb 4: An international art and music festival ‘Spring Zouk 2012’ Island Fest organized jointly by the Tourism Department, the district administration, and some private organizations, commenced on St. Mary’s Islands on the night of Feb 3 Friday.

Artists and DJs of national and international fame are participating in this festival and dance forms such as Yakshagana, Dollu Kunita, hill tribal dance, Kudubi dance, Veeragase, Gorava dance, Halakki dance, and others will be presented.

Internationally renowned musicians such as Juno Reactor, Madhi Thobezaan, Prem Joshua, Steve Stevens, Yasmin Levy, and others are participating in this event.

However, the event is steeped in controversy. Although St. Mary’s Isles cannot be accessed after 6:00 p.m., the organizers have left it open for 3 days and 3 nights. Most of the participants are little-known foreigners, the presence of whom weakens the security of the place. Moreover, media persons who visited the place noticed that most of the participants are under the influence of drugs and alcohol, which makes one suspect that this is actually a rave party under the guise of an international music and art festival.

DC M. T. Reju, however, stated that the objectives of the festival are to make the outside world aware of local art and to provide a platform for international talent, to introduce local heritage spots to outsiders, and to promote tourism. He stated that it is not a rave party.

MLA Raghupathi Bhat said that he does not know anything about the show and that it is organized by the district administration.