Moodbidri : A musical evening marked the conclusion of Alva’s Virasat at the Smt Vanajakshi K Shripathi Bhat Stage in Vivekananda Nagar in Puttige on Sunday.

The crowd rejoiced at the magic spell of playback singers Karthik, Vijayaprakash and Mahalakshmi Iyer, who had a lot to offer to the audience, including famous film numbers, devotional songs and jugalbandi.

The artistes chose varied genres such as folk, semi-classic and light – which the audience batted for – and drove the crowd crazy with their performance. They also had various teases for people. The audience applauded and sang in sync with the main artistes. The trio explored the colours of Raag ‘Yaman’ by presenting various devotional, light and film songs based on the Raag.

Karthik and Mahalakshmi also paid tribute to Hindi film actress Sadhana, who passed away recently, by singing the song ‘Abhi Na Jao Chodkar’ from the film ‘Hum Dono’.

‘Open Hairu Bitkondu’ and ‘Ghattada Anchidaye’, presented by Vijayprakash, ‘Eko Eno Nannalli’ and ‘Aaj Ki Raat’ by Mahalakshmi Iyer, ‘Mahaganapathim’ and ‘Oru Naal’, a Tamil number by Karthik, ‘Dama Dam Mast Kalandar’ and ‘Suno Gaur Se Duniyawalo’ by the trio were among the highlights of the show.

The artistes of the evening also sang other evergreen melodies from Kannada and Hindi films.

Giridhar Udupa (ghatam), Keith Peter (base guitar), Vijay Joseph (electric guitar), Harish (keyboard), Arun Kumar (drums), Navneet Sundar (eye pad), Harsha, Pradyumna others comprised of instrumental ensemble.

Award conferred
Dr Manu Parekh, New Delhi was conferred Alva’s Varna Virasat Award-2015 on the occasion. The award consisted of a memento, citation and Rs 25,000.

Stating that the religious and cultural fields are contaminated in recent times, Dr M Mohan Alva called upon the students to be cautious about the religious leaders who try to spoil the good standards of youth, in the name of spiritual Satsanga. Real spirituality is not the one which makes people, scream, hop and jump, he advised.

Dr Manu Parekh’s spouse Madhavi Parekh, Alva’s Education Foundation Chairman Dr M Mohan Alva, SDM Educational Society Secretary Prof B Yashoverma, Muniyal Institute of Ayurveda Managing Director Dr Vijayabhanu Shetty, RGUHS Former Vice Chancellor and Nitte University Vice Chancellor Dr S Ramanand Shetty, Former Minister Amarnath Shetty, Suraj Educational and Charitable Trust Chairman Manjunath Revankar, Bunts Association, Mumbai, President Vishawanath Shetty Karnire were present on the occasion.
Chikkamagaluru MLA C T Ravi was present among the audience.