Moodbidri: ‘Varna Virasat’ Title Conferred on Vasudeva Kamath, Mumbai

Pics: Harish K Adhur
Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri (SP)

Moodbidri, Jan 17: The title, ‘Alva’s Varna Virasat - 2011’, was conferred on veteran painter from Mumbai, Vasudeva Kamath, at a programme organized at Shobhavana, Mijar near here, on Sunday January 16. Chairman of Alva’s Foundation, Dr M Mohan Alva, presented the title to the distinguished artist.

Karnataka Bank non-executive chairman, Anantakrishna, who participated as chief guest, spoke in appreciation of the achievements of the accomplished painter. “Talents and skills are hidden in every person in equal measure. Latent talents come to the fore and blossom when the persons concerned get conducive environment and encouragement, and also when the people concerned work hard to hone their talent,” he noted. He hailed Mohan Alva for founding Alva’s group of institutions, and for providing impetus to art in such a way that Moodbidri has now got firmly embedded in the cultural map of the world. He wished that Alva too will get the coveted Magsaysay Award like Subbanna, who set up drama repertoire at Heggodu.

Sri Bhattaraka Charukeerti Pandicharyavarya Swamiji of Jain Mutt, in his benedictory address, said that the art hidden in an artist succeeds in creating strong imprint when the artists concerned have knowledge about all the traits and personalities. He congratulated Vasudeva Kamath, originally from Karkala, for making giant strides in art and earning fame for his native place.

Speaking after accepting the title, Vasudeva Kamath felt that the success of an art form lies in making the artist and those who look at the art created by them, to introspect.

Dr Mohan Alva, who presided over the ceremony, said that he wants to create a world record on the lines of bringing together 1,280 painters at Vidyagiri here last year to create paintings, a feat that has entered Limca Book of Records, by pooling together 10,000 artists in a future day here, and make them to register multi-dimensional creations.

On this occasion, certificates were issued to persons who participated in the national level terracotta camp of Alva’s Shilpa Virasat, and 15 artists who took part in the national level painters camp at ‘Alva’s Varna Virasat’.

Venkatakrishna Rao presented the programme. Ganesh Somayaji welcomed on behalf of organizers. Bhaskar Nelyady proposed vote of thanks.