Mangalore : Kalkura Prathishtana will organize a national-level Children festival ‘Shri Krishna Vesha Competition’, at Kadri Shri Manjunatha Temple on Sunday, August 21, said Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, president of Kalkura Prathistana.

Speaking at the press meet held at Hotel Janatha Delux on Aug 17, Wednesday, he said that the purpose of the competition is to enhance religious and cultural awareness and to encourage hidden talents in small children.

Disclosing further details regarding the event, Mr. Kalkura said that the various competitions will be held at eight different venues in the temple like ‘Shri Krishna Janmastami Samithi Main Stage, Abhishek Hall first and second floor, Shri  Ganapathi Temple, Kalyana Mantapa, Manjushri, Near Kadri Kere Ashwatha Katte’.

1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and various cultural programmes will be organized from 12 noon to 12 midnight.

Mr. Kalkura said that this time Shri Krishna Vesha competition will be held in 15 categories simultaneously. These categories are “Kanda Krishna” for kids below the age of one year and “Muddu Krishna” for children below the age of two, which allow the mothers to accompany the kids on stage. The other categories are “Thunta Krishna” for children aged 2 – 3, “Bala Krishan” for KG and LKG kids, “Kishora Krishna” for kids of UKG and I Std, “Shri Krishna” for children of II, III, and IV Stds, “Geetha Krishna,” which includes scenes of the Geethopadesha for students up to VII Std, and “Yaksha Krishna” for students up to VIII Std requiring them to wear Yakshagana costumes such as “kedage,” “pagadi,” and “mandale,” “Radhakrishna,” “Yashoda Krishna” for women as well as children up to 12 years, “Shankanada, ”  with traditional costumes in two section like for children upto 7th standard  and another for above 7th standard, “Devaki Krishna.” In which Mothers who have participated in Kadri temple fest wearing Krishna Vesha during their childhood can now participate in Devaki Krishna contest along with their children and a special competition called “Vasudeva Krishna” this is a open to all category in which any men with traditional  costumes as Vasudeva and Kid as Krishna can act (No age limit and plastic baskets not allowed) women can act as Vasudev with men costume.

In addition to the Shree Krishna Vesha competition, a special Shri Krishna Quiz will be held for children up to VII Std. The question will be released on the stop and students participating in the Shri Krishna Vesha competition can also participate in this quiz.
 

Prof M B Puranik of VHP said that every child who participates will receive a panchaloha idol of Kadagolu Krishna, books on the stories of Shri Krishna, a certificate, a picture of Lord Manjunatha, an attractive cloth bag, as well as prizes donated by various sponsors. Hot milk, ice cream, and peda will be distributed to all the participating children, he said. Mr. Kalkura has also specially encouraged mentally challenged and disabled children to participate in the contests. The event is absolutely free, he added.
Group photos will be taken of all the children participating in the Shri Krishna Vesha; costumes in front of the light houe of the temple at 3.30 pm.
Those interested can contact Kadri Navneeth Shetty (2213061, 94481-23061), Sudhakar Rao Pejawar (2214093), Gokul K (2214176), and Dayanand Kateel (2493089).
Dayanand Kateel from Sharada Vidyalaya, Janardhan Hande, GK Bhat Seraje, Prabhakar Joshi, Nagraj, were present at the press meet.