Five thousand artistes and 120 teams from all over Karnataka participated in a grand procession to mark the beginning of the four-day Alva’s Nudisiri-Virasat — the literary and cultural extravaganza — here on Thursday.
Colourful procession
The procession was flagged by folk artist Sukri Bommagowda from Chowta’s Palace around 3 p.m.
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It reached Vidyagiri, the campus of Alva’s College and the venue of the event, after covering a distance of 4 km. The procession was led by a big number of students from Alva Education institutions waving Karnataka flags.
Graceful performances
The 34-member team from Sri Lanka stood apart with the presentation of its traditional art forms Kandyan and Ruban dance. “This is the first time we are participating here,” said a Sri Lankan team member. Dancers from Manipur — who were graceful and acrobatic — were also cheered by the crowd.
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The troupe members were playing the pung (a percussion instrument) and dancing at the same time.
A group of students from Mijar, a village near Moodbidri, presented a dragon dance.
Traditional folk art
Among the traditional folk art forms seen in procession were Moodalapalya Yakshagana by Kalleshwari Yakshagana Mandali from Tumkur.
There were as many as 100 Dollu kunita artists and 70 Koragas beating drums among others. Nandi Kunita, Huli Kunita, Aatikalinja troupe, the colourful Hoo Kavadi troupe members from Brahmavar, Halakki Suggi Kunita troupe from Karwar.