Mangaluru : More than 72 cultural teams from different parts of the State take part in colourful procession to the beginning of Dakshina Kannada district Karavali Utsava 2014-15.

Around 6,000 people including professional artistes, around 2,000 ‘Sthree Shakthi’ members and students participated in two and half hour journey from Nehru Maidan to Karavali Utsav Maidan in Lalbagh, here on Tuesday.

Senior drama and movie director Sadananda Suvarna inaugurated the procession in a traditional way by unfurling ‘pingara’ (arecanut flower) and cracking the coconut. He opined that the event is symbol of communal harmony. As the programmes will be organised in different places, it is a great opportunity for people to showcase their talent in cultural event or sports competitions, he said.

Crackers were burst marking the beginning of cultural procession and the grand journey started by a team of Kadri Shri Manjunatheshwara Temple. ‘Pilivesha’ (tiger dance), Yakshagana, ‘Duff’ by Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy and stunt show by few coastal teams were attractive. Chende team grabbed attention not only because of their performance, but also by their colourful attire and ‘chamaras’ (colourful umbrellas).

Various cultural troupes from North Karnataka performed Gumte Kunita, Veerabhadra Kunita, Somana Kunita, Veeragaase, Suggi Kunita, Halakki Kunita, Kamsale, Dollu Kunita and many other art forms. Women also showcased their skill in Dollu Kunita. Karanataka Janapada Parishat, Kasaragod unit stood out by performing Karadi Kunita without using a piece of plastic.

Students made the procession rich by their active participation. From small kids of Bharath Seva Dal to Mangalore University students contributed to the event in their own way. NSS students of Mangalore University held flexes to create awareness against AIDS.

Few students wanted participation of people in Swachh Bharath Andolan. Students from Alva’s Education Institution wore tricolour tea-shirts as a symbol of unity. NCC cadets also participated in their uniform.Christmas carol was also a part of the procession. Students from Gokarnatheshwara College Bharath College, Government First Grade College Kavoor, Mangalore Marine College of Technology also participated.

There were tableaux on boating race, the greatness of queen of Ullal Abbakka,Tippu Sulthan by Beary Academy, a vehicle by Health department was present to create awareness about Malaria. The procession passed through A B Shetty circle, Hampankatta circle, K S Rao road, Navabharath circle, PVS circle and Lalbagh before culminating at Karavali Maidan.