Mangaluru: Alva’s Virasat and Nudisiri will be held together as a five-day cultural and literary extravaganza in Moodubidire from Jan 6 to 10, Alva’s Education Foundation chairperson Mohan Alva announced at a news conference on Thursday.The combined event, titled Alva’s Nudisiri-Virasat, will mark the 31st edition of Virasat and the 17th edition of Nudisiri. This year’s central theme is ‘Kannada Manassu: Bhavishyada Kanasu’, focusing on youth empowerment and a forward-looking vision for Karnataka by integrating science and technology with Kannada language and cultural identity.Literary critic Narahalli Balasubrahmanya will preside over Nudisiri, while senior journalist Vishweshwar Bhat will inaugurate the convention.Virasat will commence on the evening of Jan 6 with a grand cultural chariot procession, followed by a traditional Ganga Aarti performed by a troupe from Haridwar. Two eminent achievers representing classical and folk traditions will be conferred with the Virasat awards.Alva said the festival will continue to provide a major platform for talented young artists from across the country. “We have immense love for art. Rather than yielding to excessive commercial demands, our focus is to introduce and encourage extraordinary budding young artists from across the country on this massive platform,” he said.The five-day programme will also feature Alva’s Vidyarthisiri on Jan 8 and Alva’s Yuvasiri on Jan 9. A key initiative, ‘Hasiru Samvada’, will focus on coastal river conservation across 50 villages. A state-level Scouts and Guides Jamboree, expected to draw more than 5,000 participants, will also be organised as part of the event. In addition, free fine arts training will be offered to 800 artists.Five major exhibitions focusing on agriculture, science, food, literature and art will form another highlight of the festival, which is expected to bring together artists, writers, students and cultural enthusiasts from across the state and country.
