Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Jan 14: The three-day 'Alva's Virasat' which is being held at Vanajakshi K Sripati Bhat dais at Vivekanandanagar, Puthige near here under the aegis of Alva's Education Foundation, got to a rollicking start on Friday January 13.
Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Padma Vibhushan Dr D Veerendra Heggade, inaugurated the cultural extravaganza on Friday. In his inaugural address, Heggade called upon the people to respond to the universal demand for equality through large-heartedness. He said that art helps the youth to discipline, refine,and enrich themselves and their minds culturally.
Virasat Award: On this occasion, 'Alva's Virasat Award - 2017' was conferred on enormously talented Padma Bhushan V P Dhananjayan, an excellent Bharatanatyam artiste. The award carries cash component of one lac rupees, shawl, garland, fruits and flowers, citation, and memento.
MLA, K Abhay Chandra Jain, MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLC,Capt Ganesh Karnik, Canara Bank general manager, Virupaksha, Karnataka Bank chief executive officer, Jayaram Bhat, SCDCC Bank president, Dr M N Rajendra Kumar, former minister, Murugesh Nirani, K Amaranath Shetty, Jayashree Amaranath Shetty, Adani UPCL executive director, Kishore Alva, Tejaswi Anant Kumar, Shanta Dhananjayan, entrepreneurs, K Sripati Bhat, Deviprasad Shetty, Mustafa S M, Prakash Shetty, NRI entrepreneur, Ron Somers, Varun Jain and others were present.
Chairman of Alva's Education Foundation, Dr M Mohan Alva, delivered welcome address. Public relations officer, Dr Padmanabha Shenoy, introduced the dignitary chosen for the award. Prof Deepa Ratnakar Kottary presented the programme.
Before the beginning of the programme, dignitaries were led to the venue of the programme in a grand procession. Playing of different indigenous instruments with special drums from Mangaluru were the special attractions. Koraga Dollu dance and Honnavar bands reminded the uniqueness of coastal region.
Dancers from Sri Lanka, musical instruments throughout the country including Karnataka, during the procession mesmerised people. Nine art forms were performed during the procession.
The procession of 15 minutes duration from the vibrant welcome gate to the special serene Vanajakshi K Sripathi Bhat open stage created magic of its own. The programme began with the theme song and 'Vande Mataram' rendered by students of Alva's educational institutions.