Dubai, Feb 1: Over 80 student artistes from the Alva's Education Foundation from Moodbidri, Karnataka, India presented a spectacular heritage cultural festival here on Thursday January 31 evening.

The magnificent show organized by the nationally acclaimed Alva's Virasat & Nudisiri at the Al Nasr Leisure land Ice Rink was truly amazing. The show, the first of its kind in the UAE, had the audience spellbound.

The event was inaugurated by Padmashree Dr B R Shetty (MD, NMC Group) along with Mohan Alva, founder of Alva's Education Foundation Moodbidri with lighting of traditional lamp.

Dr B R Shetty spoke on the occasion and praised Dr Mohan Alva for his dedication to education and various community services including enrichment of Kannada heritage, culture, traditions and wished him all the best in his ventures such as Nudisiri and Virasat and many others under his leadership.

In response, Dr Mohan Alva thanked Dr B R. Shetty for his unconditional support and gave a brief intro on Alva's Education Foundation and Alva's Nudisiri which began in 2004. "It is a national conference on Kannada land and language and cultural heritage, while Alva's Virasat is a national cultural meet which was founded in the year 1994," he said.
He further said that Alva's Education Foundation successfully completed the 9th Nudisiri conference in November 2012. This unique, innovative Nudisiri conference at Moodbidri has attracted Kannada people from all over India and even from outside. It has created a new culture of unification of Kannada people from all sections and walks of life. He announced that the decennial Vishwa Nudisiri a 'World Kannada Conference' and 'Vishwa Virasat' cultural meet is scheduled from December 19 to 22, 2013 at Moodbidri. As part of Vishwa Nudisiri, units will be set up in Gulf countries like Dubai, Muscat, Bahrain and others to spread Kannada language and its cultural heritage. He also thanked all Kannadigas for their unconditional support to complete these projects and especially to organize cultural programs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (on February 1).

On the occasion all the sponsors, well-wishers and supporters were felicitated with mementos (Yakshyagana Kirita). The entire stage program was conducted by a well-known Kannadiga and community leader in UAE Sarvotham Shetty, president, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha.

All the student artistes were flown from Indian specially for the grand event. These extraordinary students captivated the audience with loads of variety entertainment, such as an array of classical and folk dances namely Navadhurge Bharatnatyam, Mohiniyattam, Rajastani Folk dance and Manipuri stick dance.

The highlights of the events were a short drama titled 'Dev Vaidyaru' directed by Jeevan Ram Sulya and a memorable Yakshagana show titled "Sriranga Viabhava" which was beautifully presented and applauded by the audience. The well-known Vilas Nayak, a genius speed painter who was the finalist in India's Got Talent 2011 painted amazing portraits of Ravana from Ramayana, Padmashree Dr B R Shetty and legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, all of which received a huge round of applause from the audiance. These painting were then auctioned. The Yakshagana art of Ravana was sold for Dhs 7000 and painting on Kargil war memorial was auctioned for Dhs 10,000, while the paintings of cricketer Sachin and NMC group chairman Dr B R Shetty fetched for Dhs 5000.

Prior to the closing ceremony a few colourful dances such as Purulia Lion dance, Lion dance from West Bengal, Kathak, a classical dance and Hoye Hoye, a Karnataka Janapada Nritya were performed.

It was indeed a most memorable and entertaining programme ever to be witnessed by UAE Kannadigas over the years. The same performances will also be staged in Abu Dhabi on Friday February 1 and a large number of Kannadigas are expected to attend this unique cultural show.

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