Moodbidri: Breathtaking Start to 'Alva's Virasat' Cultural Extravaganza
Prakash Samaga
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri
Moodbidri, Jan 5: The 20th edition of 'Alva’s Virasat' national cultural fest unfolded before an august audience at Shobhavana, Mijar, here on Wednesday January 5.
The four-day festival kick-started with a grand procession to the venue with Padmashree Pandith Ajoy Chakrabarthy, renowned Hindustani music genius being brought in a decorated palanquin. The procession included a team of artistes blowing 'kahale', beatings of 'chande' followed by women carrying ‘kalashas’ as a mark of respect.
The prestigious cultural extravaganza created a sense of exhilaration among connoisseurs of art, with the sun setting in the west and artificial brightness enveloping the venue. An added charm to the evening was the prayer song rendered by the College choir team.
In his welcome address, Alva’s Foundation Education chairman Dr M Mohan Alva said that this cultural festival, 'Virasat', aims at igniting cultural awareness among the people and that the College is awaiting grant from the government.
Accepting the prestigious 'Alva’s Virasat Award 2012', Padmashree Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarthy said that he was overwhelmed with joy at the response of the audience. "I have been a servant of music for 55 years and for the past 15 years I have been spreading the value of humanity through music by teaching it to school children," he added. He also recited three shlokas from the Veda, much to the satisfaction of the audience.
Dr N Vinay Hegde, who was one of the chief guests, said that Dr Mohan Alva lives among the youth and watches over not only their educational progress, but also the development of their artistic sensibilities.
Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade in his presidential address said that the aim of Virasat is to enable the formation of good, value-based human beings, which is the exact object of any religion too.
"Positive feelings flow in this kind of pious environment. Adoring music and art is a pivotal part of life," he said.
Stating that today's world has become materialistic, Dr Heggade asserted that religion is best understood when all emotions are overcome and kept at bay. One should be neutral and harbour no expectations, and music, art and cultural events like 'Virasat' help in nurturing such an attitude. "People of western countries opting for meditation and Indian traditional therapies is a testimony to the richness of our art and culture. The variety of ways of revering god through music also denotes the respect of the land towards art, culture and music," he noted.
He lauded Dr Alva for creating a wonderful audience who are sensitive to art, and shaping students who have given their utmost in organing and participating in art and cultural events.
Cultural programme followed 7.15 pm onwards. A unique violin concert by renowned violinist duo Ganesh and Kumaresh of Chennai spellbound the audience. Vidwan Patri Sathish Kumar accompanied with Mrudangam and Tanjavoor Govindarajan with 'tavil'.
Punjabi Bhangra and folk dances were splendidly performed by Nishan E Khalsa, Punjab from 8.45 pm to 10 pm
Educationist A J Shetty, MLA Abhayachandra Jain, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, deputy MD of Canara Bank Dasaiah, Jayaram Bhat of Karnataka Bank, N Balakrishna of Prakruti Developers, Bangalore and others were present.