Alva’s Nudisiri, a three-day Kannada literary and cultural meet, got off to a colourful start at Vidyagiri in Mangalore on Friday with some life-size models of Yakshagana characters attracting visitors at its venue.
This was the ninth edition of Nudisiri. A colourful procession marked the inauguration with 18 troupes showcasing art and music. The troupes showcased Dollu kunita, Navilu nritya, Gajamela of Koragas, Pooja kunita, Hulivesha, Nandidhwaja kunita, life-size puppets of Kalladkka and Pookavadi of Kerala. Showcasing the music, there were two troupes of chende, a kombu troupe, a shankha and jagate troupe, and a saxophone troupe. In addition, two groups walked with colourful huge umbrellas and women carrying kalasahas.
A book exhibition is another attraction at the venue. Kannada University, Hampi, is offering a 50-per cent discount on its publications and Prasaranga of the University of Mysore 33.33 per cent on its books. Centre for Research on Kanakadasa, Mangalore University, has displayed its publications. Books by various Kannada writers and on different walks of life are on display and sale at many stalls. Some old books are available at two stalls.
Dheemkita Yakshagana Adhyayana Kendra of the host institution has some life-size models of Yakshagana characters in a room along with photographs of different veshas. The photographs showed veshas of both tenku thittu and badadu thittu schools opening a world of fantasy for visitors.
President of the Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy M.L. Samaga saw a rehearsal of a Yakshagana ballet by students of the kendra at the venue on Friday. The students are being trained by senior artiste Mantapa Prabhakara Upadhya.
In addition, the Ranga Adhyayana Kendra of the college has displayed masks and instruments used in theatre performances along with some photographs of performances of students of the kendra.
