Report and pics from Raymond D'Cunha Taccode
for Daijiworld News Network - Moodbidri

Moodbidri, Apr 6: 'For any community, the format of celebration may change from time to time, but the values and content should not be changed since they are the foundation of the society,' opined Mangalore University College professor Ammalukutty at a colourful programme here on Wednesday.

She was speaking as chief guest at the 'Vasantam' (Bishu or Kani, a spring festival, for Keralites) held in the open-air auditorium in the Vidyagiri complex of the Alva's educational institutions.

Explaining the basics of the celebration, she said, this was the first day of the year for Keralites, marking the arrival of spring. So the elder of the family, on the Kani day, arrange the field and garden produce like jack, mango and rice, and get other members of the family also to have a glimpse of the bounty and prosperity so that it would continue the whole year. A flower called 'kanikodamand' is part of the arrangement and the elders give gift to the younger ones and it is called 'vishukainutum'.

Alvas Education Foundation chairman Dr M Mohan Alva, chairing the function, said that the Alva's institutions had about 2,500 students from Kerala and they enjoyed all respect in the campus.

Institutions trustee Jayashree A Shetty, Ravindra Shetty and Lalita Shetty.

Administrator Ballal welcomed the gathering. Binu Pillai proposed the vote of thanks. Sheetal compered the programme.

Variety entertainments followed, the highlights of which were three types of Theyyam - Kuttichatan, Vishnu Murty and Pottam.

The gathering was served with the sweet Kerala dish - 'payasam'.