Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Oct 8: Alva’s Virasat and Nudisiri will be organised jointly as a five-day cultural and literary extravaganza at Moodubidire from January 6 to 10, Alva’s Education Foundation chairman Dr Mohan Alva announced at a press conference on Thursday.
The combined event, titled ‘Alva’s Nudisiri-Virasat’, will mark the 31st edition of Virasat and the 17th edition of Nudisiri. The central theme of this year’s programme is ‘Kannada Manassu: Bhavishyada Kanasu’, focusing on youth empowerment and a progressive vision for Karnataka by integrating science and technology with the Kannada language and cultural identity.
Literary critic Narahalli Balasubrahmanya will preside over Nudisiri, while senior journalist Vishweshwar Bhat will inaugurate the convention.
Virasat will commence on the evening of January 6 with a grand cultural chariot procession, followed by a traditional Ganga Aarti performed by a troupe from Haridwar. Two eminent personalities representing classical and folk traditions will be honoured with the Virasat Awards.
Dr Mohan Alva said the festival would continue to provide a major platform for talented young artists from across the country. He emphasised that the event would focus on identifying, encouraging and providing opportunities to promising artists rather than giving in to excessive commercial demands.
The five-day programme will also feature Alva’s Vidyarthisiri on January 8 and Alva’s Yuvasiri on January 9. A special initiative, ‘Hasiru Samvada’, will focus on the conservation of coastal rivers across 50 villages.
A state-level Scouts and Guides Jamboree, expected to attract more than 5,000 participants, will also be held as part of the festival. In addition, free fine arts training will be provided to around 800 artists.
Five major exhibitions focusing on agriculture, science, food, literature and art will be another major attraction of the festival. The event is expected to bring together artists, writers, students and cultural enthusiasts from across Karnataka and other parts of the country.