Alva’s Virasat from Jan 4

The 25th edition of Alva’s Virasat will be organised at Shreemathi Vanajakshi K Sripathi Bhat Vedike, Puthige Vivekananda Nagara in Moodbidri from January 4 to 6.

The annual cultural extravaganza is being organised by Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri.

Alva’s Foundation Chairman Dr M Mohan Alva told media persons at Patrika Bhavan here on Tuesday that Virasat will have music programmes in the first half and dance programmes in the second half. There will not be any stage programme except the one on the inaugural day between 5.30 pm and
6.45 pm.

Nitte Deemed to be University Chancellor N Vinay Hegde will inaugurate the Virasat. To commemorate the 25th year of the Virasat, India Post has brought to a special postal cover. It will be released on the occasion.

Veteran playback singer Hariharan will be felicitated with Alva’s Virasat Award. The award carries a purse of Rs 1 lakh and a
citation.

Explaining the growth of Virasat, Alva said the Virasat was started with hosting programmes at Samaja Mandira in Moodbidri with 500 audience. Later, it was shifted to Mahaveera College venue, Dhavala College, Thousand Pillar Basadi, Shobhavana, Vidyagiri Palace ground and to the present venue.

Cultural programmes

As a part of the cultural extravaganza on January 4, Colonial Cousins fame Hariharan and Lesle Lewis will perform ‘Rasa Samyoga’ programme from 7 pm to 9 pm. Alva’s students will present a variety of cultural programmes comprising Mohiniyattam, Badaguthittu Yakshagana, Mallakamba and Dandiya dance of
Gujarat.

On January 5, singer Sukhwinder Singh and team will perform ‘Gaanataranga’ from 6 pm to 8 pm. Nrityantar Academy of Performing Arts, Bengaluru, will present Odissi dance from 8.10 pm to 8.40 pm. Shailasudha Academy, Chennai, will present Kuchipudi (8.45 pm to 9.30 pm) and Alva’s students will present Banjara dance, Manipura stick dance, Kandyan dance of Sri Lanka and Kathak
dance.

On January 6, singer Shankar Mahadevan and his sons Siddarth and Shivam will present ‘Chitra Rasasanje’ (6 pm to 8 pm), Parampara, Kolkatta, will present ‘Rangabharathi — Colours of Bharatanatyam’ (8.10 pm to 9 pm) and Alva’s students will present Bharatanatyam, Dhol Chalam of Manipura, Bhangra of Punjab and Tenkuthittu Yakshagana Agrapooje (9.05 pm onwards).

Alva’s Varna Virasat

Alva said Varna Virasat, a contemporary artists’ camp will be held till January 6. Over 60 artists are engaged in various forms of artworks at the
venue.

Artist Sooryaprakash will be felicitated with Alva’s Varna Virasat Award on January 6. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000.

Seating arrangements have been made for 50,000 persons and free bus transport has been arranged from Puthige Pete to the venue for three days.

The venue will be decked with lights. Food counters will be opened at the venue. Parking arrangements have also be made for the parking of the vehicles.