Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)
Pics: Shravan Kumar Nala

Mangalore, Sep 4: At least 1,800 students from 77 affiliated colleges of Mangalore University participated in the ‘Inter-collegiate Cultural Festival–2013’ organized by the varsity at Mangalagangothri campus on Monday September 2. It is for the second time that the festival is being conducted on the campus.

Padmashree Dr B Jayashree, eminent theatre actor and Rajya Sabha member, was the chief guest at the programme. In her inaugural address, she said that only such a platform can take the cultural tradition forward. “This is one such occasion. We will be able to understand the actual world only when we come outside the four walls. Therefore, competitions are necessary to know about other students and different talents. Give equal importance to education and talent.”

Advising the students, Dr Jayashree said, “Only focused and dedicated people become great achievers. As students, you should cultivate these qualities before it is too late,” she added.

In his presidential address, Vice-Chancellor T Shivashankara Murthy said, “Along with the curriculum, as a student, it is also important to take part in co-curricular activities. Although everybody cannot win, participation gives us experience. Experience forms a memory. The memory should motivate us to achieve our dream,” he said.

Prof Murthy also expressed his desire to see bigger numbers of student participants next year. Vice-chancellor said that although there are more than 180 colleges affiliated to the university, the number of participating colleges was few. “Next year we will try to attract at least 3,000 students from 150 colleges,” he said.

There are as many as 25 different events taking place in six different venues on the campus. On Tuesday September 3, competitions such as light vocal solo, folk orchestra, classical instrumental, group song, mimicry, ‘rangoli’, cartooning, and collage took place.

Folk dance, classical dance, quiz, skit, debate (Kannada and English), western vocal, group song (Western), clay modeling, poster making, on-the-spot painting, and spot photography competitions will be held on Thursday September 5 and classical vocal (solo) and mime competitions will be held on Friday September 6.

There are five major categories of events such as music, dance, theatre, literary events, and fine arts. There will be a best group prize in each event in addition to overall championship for the highest scoring college.

The selected 40 members including accompanist will get an opportunity to represent Mangalore University in the inter-university cultural festival to be held in Kottayam, Kerala, from September 18 – 22.

During the stage programme, registrar Prof Yadapadithaya welcomed and student welfare officer Prof P L Dharma proposed the vote of thanks.