Moodubidire: The annual national cultural festival “Alva’s Virasat-2018” opened here on Friday on a colorful note, showcasing the rich cultural traditions of India.

Clad in Poothaniya gear, Ranjith of Karkala led the procession by spitting fire from his mouth. He was followed by Kadane, Garnal,Poothani, Kombu, Kahale, Kingkong, Kerala Chande, Kundapura Dolu, Nagaswara, Saksophone, Chande, Shankha.

After inaugurating 24th edition of Alva’s Virasat, Nagaland Governor P.B Acharya opined ‘Virasat is the cultural legacy of India, a country rich in art, dance and literature and the role of educational institutions is crucial in propagating it further. Educational institutions aren’t just centres of knowledge, but a powerhouse of development and the students are the nodal agents to carry forward these ideals. Alva’s is one such institution that merges education and culture, therefore preserving it’.

“In ‘NAMASTE’, we find all the eight North Eastern states- Nagaland,Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura”, said governor therby giving a musical and a pleasant way to rememeber the North Eastern frontier of our country. A feeling of pride is created by Alva’s due to its proactive initiatives to inculcate the rich culture of the eight pillars.

“Strengthening the mainland and empowering the empowered must not be the agenda; wake up and change your mind set for India has the capacity to provide manpower to the whole world”, said Mr Acharya. He lauded the efforts undertaken by Alva’s Education Foundation nurturing and preserving unique cultural diversity of North East by adopting students from that region. The students must be an asset who will strengthen the North East through education and treating them as their own fellows. “There is a lack of emotional integration in India.” South Canara and Udupi regions, being the forefront, are striving to achieve national integration.

The most coveted Virasat Award 2018 was conferred to the distingished classical vocalist musical duo, Padmabhushan Pandit Rajan & Sajan Mishra. A classic tribute of Devaranama by the child prodigy, Sooryagayathri was presented in their honor. “Love is spread to all through music”, said Pandit Rajan Mishra in reply to their felicitation.

Presiding over the Alva’s Virasat – 2018, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade said, “Dr. M. Mohan Alva has successfully created Moodubidire as cultural capital of our country. Alva’s Education Foundation is a representative of India in every sense where all the students are the citizens of one nation sans any barriers of caste, religion, language, culture. To build a nation we must forgo hate and achieve unity and equality with respect to opportunity. Educational institutions are needed to create such opportunities for the youth so they bloom to become ambassadors of our heritage. Love, respect and affection for all is the need of the hour.” He hailed the esteemed chairman Dr. M. Mohan Alva as an inspiration in this aspect.

Thus, this marks the beginning of yet another event filled with fun, fervour and the stage shared by maestros is all set to be unfurled for the enlightenment of the audience’s senses.

Alva’s Education Foundation Chairman Dr M Mohan Alva, Moodbidri MLA K Abhayachanda Jain and entrepreneur K Sripati Bhat, MP Nalini Kumar Kateel, MLC Ganesh Karnik, District Commissioner S Sasikanth Senthil were present on the occasion.