Mangalore : Kalkura Prathishtana will organize a national childrens festival ‘Shri Krishna Vesha Competition’ at Kadri Shri Manjunatha Temple on September 8 Saturday.

Speaking at a press meet held at Hotel Janatha Delux on Sep 3, Monday, Kalkura Prathishtana President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said that the purpose of this event is to enhance religious and cultural awareness and to encourage hidden talents in small children.

Revealing about the details of the competition, Mr. Kalkura said that the competition will be held in 16 varieties at 8 different venues such as Shri Krishna Janmamahotsava Samithi Main Stage, Abhikshek Hall First and Second Floor, Shri Ganapathi Temple, Manjushree, Near Kadri Kere Ashwatha Katte, and Kalyana Mantapa from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Apart from it, various cultural programmes will be held from 12 noon to 12 midnight.

Kalkura said that the 16 categories include Kanda Krishna for children below the age of 1 year, Muddu Krishna for children below the age of two allowing mothers to accompany their children, Thunta Krishna for children between the ages of 2 and 3, Bala Krishna for Nursery and LKG kids, Kishora Krishna for UKG and I Std kids, Shri Krishna for II, III, and IV Std kids, Geetha Krishna for kids up to VII Std encouraging them to recite parts of the Gita, Yaksha Krishna for students up to VIII Std where they have to wear Yakshagana costumes, Radha Krishna and Yashoda Krishna for women and kids up to 12 years of age, Shankanada with traditional costumes in two sections for children up to VII Std and another for children above VII Std, Devaki Krishna for mothers and their children, and a special category called Vasudeva Krishna encouraging men or women to dress as Vasudeva and participate with their kids. The organisation has also included a special category ‘Nanda Gokula’ for the competition, in which a group comprising of 5 members without any age limit will present an episode of Lord Krishna’s Life.

A Shri Krishna quiz will also be held for kids up to VII Std. The questions will be asked on the spot, and kids who are participating in the Shri Krishna Vesha competition are also permitted to participate in this quiz.

Speaking on the occasion, Kadri Navneeth Shetty said that every participating child will receive a panchaloha idol of Udupi Kadagolu Krishna, books on Shri Krishna, a certificate, a picture of Lord Manjunatha, a cloth bag, and prizes.

Besides, hot milk, peda, and ice cream will be distributed among all the participating children.

He also urged mentally challenged and differently abled kids to participate in this contest, which is absolutely free to enter.

Those interested can contact Kadri Navneeth Shetty (2213061, 94481-23061), Sudhakar Rao Pejawar (2214093), Gokul K (2214176), and Dayanand Kateel (2493089) for more information.

Dayanand Kateel of Sharada Vidyalaya, M Prabhakar Joshi, Nagraj, Vijayalakshmi Shetty, Sukanya Bhat and others were also present at the press meet.

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