Alva’s Virasat 2011 begins by conferring Alva’s Virasat Award on Yesudas

Alva’s Virasat 2011 begins by conferring Alva’s Virasat Award on Yesudas

Mangalore Today News Network

Moodbidri, January 11: The prestigious Alva’s Virasat Award was conferred on Padmabhushan K. J. Yesudas at Shobavana Mijar on Tuesday night. Around 15,000 fans applauded the legendary singer. 

 

The Alvas Visarat Award comprises Rs. 1 lakh, a garland, a shawl, a citation, and fruits. The students of Alva’s College sang aarathi songs, followed by a dance performance by Bhairavi Nrithya Thanda, Udupi.  A grand procession escorted Yesudas to the dais along a path adorned with illuminated goodudeepas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After receiving the award, Yesudas said that he got a magnificent voice and became popular because of the Almighty God, adding that human beings are nothing and that everything happens as per God’s will. He urged people to work for God and not for themselves, adding that he is successful because of the blessings of his mother Goddess Mookambika and Lord Ayyappan.

Lamenting the fact that Indian culture is slowly being replaced by Western culture, he urged people not to forget their culture, tradition, and national identity, adding that Indians are forgetting their rich traditions and values while foreigners are coming to India just to study Indian culture and lifestyle. Recalling the way his father shaped his musical career, Yesudas said that his father did not permit him to participate in concerts and competitions in a bid to preserve his talent from his ego. He also said that his father always encouraged him to pursue his dreams and never bothered about his studies. He was not a child prodigy, but had a father who motivated him to become what he is, he added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stating that he has two wives, he said that he loves them both deeply and that even they love each other deeply. Naming his wives as “music” and “Prabha,” he said that since Prabha loves and respects “music,” he has no problems with his marital life at all.

Lauding Carnatic music, he said that Karnatic music has 72 scales while Western music has only two scales. Referring to Carnatic music as an ocean, he said that he is trying to swallow only a few drops of it. He also advised people to love and respect their tradition.

He enthralled his listeners by singing the highly popular devotional song, “Swami Ayyappa … Sharanam Ayyappa.”

Nagathihalli Chandrashekar, the renowned film director, inaugurated Alvas Virasat 2011, the 6-day musical extravaganza, and said that there is a need to introduce great legends such as Yesudas to young people. He also spoke in appreciation of the efforts of Dr. Mohan Alva to preserve culture. 

Dr. Vinay Hegde, the president of NITTE Education Trust, presided over the function. Prof. T. C. Shivashankar Murthy, the vice chancellor of Mangalore University; Dr. P. Dayananda Pai of Century Builders; K. S. Balachandar, the general manager of Canara Bank; Basavaraj Swami of Dharwad; Abhayachandra Jain; Amarnath Shetty; and Anand Alva were present.