Moodbidri: The 22nd Alva’s Virasat Award-2015 was conferred on renowned veteran singer S P Balasubrahmanyam on Thursday.

Addressing a huge gathering after receiving the award during Alva’s Virasat – 2015 at Smt Vanajakshi K Sripathi Bhat Vedike in Puthige, Balasubrahmanyam said that the award is held in a great awe and respect by him.

He dedicated the award to his mother and all the elders who have nurtured him. He added that if he has a next birth, he would like to be born in Karnataka.The award carries a citation, a memento and Rs 1 lakh.

Inaugurating Alva’s Virasat – 2015, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade called upon youth to cultivate the habit of enjoying art and cultural events, along with their studies. The holidays can be utilised for cultural activities instead of merry making, he said.

Alva’s Education Foundation Chairman Dr M Mohan Alva delivered the keynote address. Minister for Youth Affairs, Sports and Fisheries K Abhayachandra Jain presided over the programme.

Hemavathi V Heggade, former Minister K Amarnath Shetty, SCDCC Bank Chairman Dr M N Rajendra Kumar, Kannada and Culture Department Director K A Dayananda and others were present.

Cultural extravaganza
R K Padmanabha presented a Carnatic classical recital on the occasion. Yaksha Sangeetha was performed by Sathyanarayana Puninchittaya and party, while Yaksha Namana by Alva’s College students, dance and music by Manipuri and Sri Lankan artistes.

A fusion of four violins ‘Nada Surabhi’by Mysuru Nagara, Mysuru Manjunath, Ganesh and Kumaresh, was the highlight of the evening. Balasubrahmanyam and his troupe mesmerised the audience with their performance.

Spectators
As many as 30,000 audience witnessed the formal function and the cultural extravaganza. The entire venue was lit up with a special decoration of lights. Prior to the stage function, the guests and dignitaries were welcomed with a cultural procession.