Pics & news: Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Feb 20: Gokula Kalavrinda, BSKB Association, Sion women artistes and Nasik Kannada Sangha jointly held several cultural programmes including 'Dakshadwara' a Yakshagana play on the eve of Shivarathri celebrations on February 17.

The programmes held on the stage of Swamy Samartha Mangala office in Nasik was sponsored by Nasik Kannada Sangha secretary P Satish Kumar couple. Different Bhajana troupes held Shiva Nama Keerthana. Gokula Bhajana Mandali also participated in Bhajan programmes.

The Yakshagana programme lasted for three hours. Shailini Rao, Tanvi Rao, Navya Rao, Krishna Geetha L Bhat, Vani Bhat, Shantilaxmi Udupa, Sahana Bharadhwaj, Anuradha Rao, Anjana Rao, Shantala Udupa, Jahnavi and Bhargavi Pothi, Sahana Pothi, Prema S Rao and Meghana Acharya participated in it. The women's Yakshagana was well appreciated by the audience by clapping of hands.

Sponsors Sathish Kumar couple and Sangha president P B Guraddi presented mementos to BSKB association secretary P C N Rao and all artistes and congratulated them. Gokula member, now a resident of Nasik, Mudra science expert Suman Chiplunkar expressing her appreciation presented prizes to all the participants.

Sumedha Rao compered the programme. Convener Prema S Rao on behalf of Kalavrinda, thanked sponsors, office bearers of Kannada Sangha and those who extended their cooperation. The priests of Pejavar mutt in Nasik distributed prasada after Mangalarathi.

Vasudeva Bhat Ermalu, Madhusudhan Palan and Chandrashekar Bhat cooperated with their background music. Geethambika Yakshagana Mandali Asalfa Ghatkopar helped in costumes.