Abu Dhabi, 02 Feb 2013: After a spectacular show in Dubai on Thursday, Alva’s Nudisiri-Virasat Kannada Cultural show, Student Artist put up an amazing show once again at the Abu Dhabi Indian School Auditorium on Friday evening. Over 80 student artistes from the Alva’s Education Foundation from Moodbidri, Karnataka, India presented a spectacular heritage cultural festival and mesmerized the house-full audience. Ms. Smitha Chauta gave a brief intro Nudisiri-Virasat and the foundation of Nudisiri under the able leadership of Dr. Mohan Alva. Mr. Sarvotham Shetty, President Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha welcomed the guests, HE Mr. M.K Lokesh, Ambassador of India, Dr. B.R. Shetty, Dr. Mohan Alva and embassy dignitaries from various embassies attended the grand show. He also highlighted the achievements of Alva’s Educational Foundation and Nudisiri-Virasat in particular. He called up the audience to support Dr. Mohan Alva in his cultural endeavour to continue his mission.
The magnificent show under the banner “ Alva’s Vishwa Nudisir-Virasat – 2013” – Abu Dhabi Ghataka, a truly global cultural event was inaugurated by HE Mr. M.K. Lokesh, Ambassador of India to U.A.E. along with Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty (MD NMC Group) and Dr. Mohan Alva, founder of Alva’s Education Foundation Moodbidri with lighting of traditional lamp. HE M.K, Lokesh addressed the audience and appreciated the efforts put up by Mohan Alva and its foundation which began in a small village called Moodbidri in Mangalore has now become a global name. He also highlighted the various achievements by the people of Mangalore and said that in the whole of Karnataka Mangalore is the only city has development in all fields be it in banking, tourism, hotel industry and especially banking as it is the birth place of all Banks existing in the state. The Mangaloreans not only beautiful but very intelligent and he has been to Mangalore only once in his life time but learned a lot of the place and people and appreciated them. The Mangaloreans have kept the Indian Flag flying high due to their dedication to Culture, tradition, education and industry and he called upon keep this flag of Proud Mangalorean to fly high all the time and he wished Dr. Mohan Alva all success and requested the audience to enjoy a wonderful show put up by Alva’s Nudisiri-Virasat.
Dr. B.R. Shetty spoke highly of Dr. Mohan Alva and his sheer dedication to education and various community service including enrichment of Kannada Heritage, culture, traditions and wished him all the best in his ventures such as creation of Nudisiri, Virasat - a conference on Kannada Language, Literature and Heritage and his many other achievements under his leadership. He said Mohan Alva has represented India at various International events from his college days and never looked back. Today Alva’s Educational Foundation has 150 institutions and estimated 16,000 students are studying in these institutions. In response, Mohan Alva thanked Dr. B.R. Shetty for his unconditional support and gave a brief intro on Alva’s Education Foundation he has initiated i.e. Alvas Nudisir which began in 2004. He was also grateful for all Mangaloreans including Konkani community for their support in his ventures and thanked them all. He stressed that giving only education to students is not his motive but making them good persons, live a honorable and dignified life is more important and hence he has supported them in whatever field they want to develop and become good citizens of India. He said out of 16,000 students 2000 students have enrolled for various cultural activities despite their dedication to the education. The Alva’s Nudisir-Virasat is now a global event and requested all to become members as they have organized Ghatakas (chapters) in each country and U.A.E in particular where there is more support base and under the leadership of Dr. B.R. Shetty nothing is impossible to achieve. He called upon all Kannadigas to pay a visit to Moodubidri and see how the students are performing and practicing various cultural items after their regular classes. He also requested to attend the ’Vishwa Nudisiri’ a ’World Kannada Conference’ and ‘Vishwa Virasath’ Cultural meet is scheduled this year from 19th to 22nd December 2013 at Moodbidri.
On the occasion all the sponsors, well wishers, supporters were felicitated with mementos (Yakshyagan Kirita). The entire stage program was conducted by a well known kannadiga and community leader in U.A.E. Mr. Sarvotham Shetty, President, Abu Dhabi Karnatak a Sangha).
All the 80 student artists were flown from Indian especially for the grand event. These amazing students mesmerized the audience with loads of variety entertainment, such as variety of classical and folk dances namely; starting with Mohiniyattam, Navadhurge Bharatnatyam, Banjara Folk dance (Andra-Prasesh) and Manipuri stick dance. The highlight of the events were a short drama titled: “Deva Vradhuru directed by Jeevan Ram Sulya which highlighted the plight of old people left alone at home after the education of their children and gone abroad to settle down. The presentation by young students was wonderful and the drama showed the real life of current generation and difficulties faced by old people in the name of education, progress and development. The stage setting, creativity and clinical finish for which Alva’s Ranga Mandhir has bagged national award was imminent in this drama. This drama brought tears from all those who watched and amazed at the talents of the students. Two wonderful Yakshaganas titled Dashavatara (Badagutittu North Canara and “Sriranga Viabhava” was beautifully presented and applauded by the audience.
The well known Vilas Nayak, a genius painter/artist who was finalist at “India got talent “ tv show drew pictures of Yakshagana figure “Dashavathara “ and also of Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty, Mother Thereza and Kargil war memorial, which were wonderfully painted and he received a huge round of applause from the audience. These painting were then auctioned. The “”Dashavathara was brought by Mr. Shekar Shetty-MD Arab Udupi Restaurants for Dhs. 4000/-. The remaining paintings were donated to Dr. B.R. Shetty by Mohan Alva for his great support and organizing shows in U.A.E.
Prior to closing a few wonderful dances such as, Katak a classical dance, Lavani dance, Dhol Chalam and Kamsale, a Karnataka male folk dance but was performed by female students today. However, the amazing Purulia Lion dance, Lion dance from West Bengal captivated the audience wherein six Lions hunt the boars. The liones and boars were played by students in a stunning show and received a huge round of applause.
It was indeed a most memorable and entertained program ever to be witnessed by U.A.E. Kannadigas over the years. The same performance will also be performed in Bahrain and Muscat in the coming months.
The entire narration was done by Uday Manjunath in his wonderful Kannada language and wonderfully presented. One must appreciate the dedication and efforts put up by these studying students and that too to the perfection and they proved that if given a chance can put up amazing talents.
The sound-system and Videography for the both Dubai and Abu Dhabi shows was provided by Broadway Sound System - Abu Dhabi.