This will be the first large-scale and third cultural event to be held in the historical and protected monument Bangalore Fort. At a time when there is a fervent call from Bengalureans to protect heritage structures, this initiative, launched by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) will give the issue a push.On World Heritage Day (April 18), INTACH’s Bengaluru chapter is hosting a musical extravaganza featuring renowned artistes T M Krishna, Carnatic music vocalist and N Rajam, a Hindustani classical violinist who will be performing on the lawns of the 478-year-old Fort next to Victoria Hospital.This will be the first big cultural event held at the Fort – earlier a light music concert was held in 2009 and a play in 2012. These events were entry restricted and relatively low-profile events.INTACH got the nod from the Archeological Survey of India’s head office – even as Old Dungeon Fort and Gates is one among the two monuments listed by ASI (the other one being Tipu’s Palace), Fort did not figure in the list of monuments where cultural activities are permitted.“INTACH approached us for approval but our local office was unclear. I wrote to our head office from where the permission came through. It is heartening to see that organizations like INTACH have come forward to organize such events,’’ Arun Raj T, superintending archaeologist, ASI, who is in charge of Bengaluru circle told Bangalore Mirror.Earlier, in 2009 and 2012, a light music programme and a play with limited entry were held here. Bangalore Fort or ‘Old Dungeon Fort and Gates’, as listed by the ASI, was built as a mud fort by the city’s founder Kempe Gowda I.In 1761, Haider Ali replaced the mud fort with a stone one. The old fort area also includes Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, and his armoury.The April 18 event will begin at 5 pm: first there will be announcement of INTACH’s heritage building awards, after which the concert will begin.“This will be a prestigious event with Bangalore Fort being the venue and the illustrious profile of the musicians. The lawns can accommodate about 250 to 300 people. In the surrounding enclosures, INTACH and ASI will have a photo exhibition on heritage buildings,’’ says Meera Iyer, INTACH’s co-convenor.The legislation to introduce heritage precincts in the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act has been gathering dust with the urban development department, while there have been attempts made by the state government to carry out constructions on heritage building premises.