Youth needs to engage in traditional arts, says Karnataka official

New Delhi. Nov 22 (ANI): Youth who are away from their hometowns need to engage in the traditional arts and cultural activities, said Dhananjaya Kumar, Special Representative of the Government of Karnataka in New Delhi.

Inaugurating a two-day Rajyotsava Festival at Delhi's Karnataka Sangha, Kumar appreciated the efforts of Srinivasa G.Kappanna, former president of Karnataka Nataka Akademi, under whose guidance more than 140 Kannadigas in Delhi were trained in various performing arts by experts from the state.

Theatre songs, Kamsale, Lambani, Kolata and other folk dances performed by these artists were acclaimed by the audience.

Dr.Purushothama Bilimale, former president of the Delhi Karnataka Sangha was felicitated for being awarded this year Rajyotsava Award by the Government of Karnataka.

The contribution of Dr. Bilimale to Kannada and his services to the community of Kannadigas in Delhi is remembered.

Veteran Advocate M. Veerappa and Sumitra Rao were awarded the 'Vishista Kannadiga -2011'by Sangha. Merit based and need based scholarships to students were also distributed .

The drama competition was held in the name of the late U.Prabhakara Rao, a famous theatre personality and founder member of 'Kannada Bharathi'. Balakrishna Naik.D who wrote and directed the drama 'Messege Bantu' got the best director award. M.V.Venkatesh got the second best director award.

Prakash Shetty Ulepady and Avanindranath Rao received the best actor and second best actor awards respectively. N.R.Srinath and Anita Naik got the jury's special awards.

The highlight of the programme was the show by Guinness world record holder ventriloquist Miss Indu Shree from Bangalore, the humor times by Prof.Krishne Gowda and Kogali Kotreshi. Singing by Premalatha, Seema Raiker, famous musician and also officers in the state government Y.K.Muddu Krishna and Muddu Mohan made for a beautiful evening.

C.S.Kedar, IAS, Resident Commissioner Vandana Gurunani,Muddu Mohan, Director, Department of Information, Government of Karnataka were the chief guests of the function.

Dr.Venkatachala Hegde, President of the Delhi Karnataka Sangha, also spoke on the occasion. Dy.Director, Information Department, S.V. Laxminarayana welcomed. Vice President of Sangha Usha Bharatadri compered the programme. General Secretary C.M.Nagaraj gave the vote of thanks. (ANI)