The music and mimicry programme lasted for just two hours on Sunday. But it was much appreciated and enjoyed not only by the prison inmates but also by the staff at the Mangaluru District Prison.
As many as 30 performers from Karavali Sangeeta Kalavidara Okkoota sang patriotic songs, popular old Hindi songs and did mimicry. The prison staff also joined singing, while a prison inmate presented the song ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’.
The Okkoota members have been giving around four free programmes every year to entertain those residing in orphanages and old age homes. “This year too we did a programme in an orphanage. Then we thought of giving a programme at the prison and it materalised,” said Damodar Bhagwat, president of the Okkota.
The prison staff also wanted programmes that give relief for inmates from the tension they face and also in bonding with fellow inmates. The staff too wanted a change from the pressure of handling inmates.
The programme was held in the wide space available in the old block of the Mangaluru Prison. It started with the popular Kannada song ‘Apara Keerti Merisi Beleva Bhavya Naadidu…’ This was followed by old Hindi classics of Kishore Kumar and Mukesh. They also sung the popular Tulu song ‘Bhaagiratamma Peeru…’ from the film Oriyardori Asal. The two-hour long programme ended with the State song ‘Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate’.
The artistes who sang were Ravindra Prabhu and Mallika Shetty, while mimicry was done by Naveenchandra Koppa. Another artiste Tonse Pushkal Kumar was the narrator of the show. Superintendent of the Prison Obaleshappa was present throughout the show.
The Mangaluru District Prison was treated
with a performance by Karavali Sangeeta Kalavidara Okkoota for two hours on Sunday