Moodabidiri: “festivals work as a linkage bond between humans and they increase love and harmony among each other. So, our ancestors have given us festivals according to our religion and cultural differences, but such festivals have been commercialised in present era,” said Alva’s educational foundation President Dr Mohan Alva.

He was speaking after offering special prayers on the occasion of Deepavali celebrations organised at Puttigepadavu Vivekananda Nagar on Thursday evening.

After the stage programme more than 600 students displayed 18 cultural varieties of India and foreign countries. Singari Mela, Mohiniyattam of Kerala, Madhumasa Roopaka Yakshagana, Orissa’s Gotipuva, Banjara dance of Andhra, Candian dance of Sri Lanka were displayed by the students.

Before the programme a cultural procession was organised in which more than 100 students of Alva’s College had taken participation.

Nearly 35,000 people were gathered to view the various cultural events held on 150 feet long stage. More than 20,000 students and their parents along with local people had gathered for the programme.