Moodbidri: Jan 13: The three day cultural festival, the 23rd edition of Alva's Virasat 2017 started off on a grand note at the Smt. Vanajakshi K Shripathi Bhat Vedike, Vivekanada Nagara, Moodbidri.
The procession witnessed varied art forms like Chende, Shankha, Srilankan traditional artists, Honnavara Band, Dollu and thousand artistes took in centre stage in the three-day Alva's Virasat — the literary and cultural extravaganza.
The formal inauguration ceremony began by a floral welcome to all the dignitaries by the chairman. Inaugurating the program Dhramasthala Dhramadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggde said, the'Vishwamanava'' global mindset should be enshrined in the minds of the people for peaceful society. Students shouldn't consider education as a punishment; rather it is transformation of human being towards the knowledgeable individual. He called upon students, not to stop being disciplined even if it gets unbearable as hard work and a burning desire are ingredients to be successful in the test of life. He told, one should lead dignified life through hard work and discipline.
The prestigious Alva's Virasat Award was conferred to Padmabhooshan V. P Dhananjayan, a renowned Bharathnatyam and Kathakali dancer by Dharmsthala Drmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggde followed by a unique dance felicitation that showcased a variety of eight diverse dance forms ranging from the Manipuri traditional dance, Kathak, Odhisi dance to Bharathnatyam, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam and the local attraction Yakshagana.
Speaking after felicitation, V. P Dhananjayan expressed his gratitude and said, “Virasat Puruskar is unique and will be cherished”. Students must understand the responsibility to carry on this legacy of this great lineage established by Dr. M Mohan Alva. He stated, “Art brings hearts together; art brings character; art refines our mind”.
He commended the efforts of Alva's Education Foundation to carry this beacon of inspiration forward. Elucidating from the words of Rabindranath Tagore, he said, “Education without character is to a body without head” and Natya is an educational system reinforced by AEF, gives a student that character. The greatest wealth is education, and imbibing great qualities is the duty of a student. Bharatha is a land that eradicates the ignorance of the world, and this great heritage will earn respect all over the world.
Thousands of college students and people from surrounding areas and different parts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts and a few connoisseurs of art and culture from other parts of the State filled the vast expanse of the open gallery in front of huge stage. A U.S. citizen and a German, who had attended the previous 22 Virasats too, had made it to the inaugural session this year.
Alva's Education Foundation chairman Dr. M. Mohan Alva, MP Nalini Kumar Kateel, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, SCDCC Bank Chairman Dr M N Rajendra Kumar. Former Minister K Amaranth Shetty, First India Group- CEO Roam Somers among others present in the program.
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