Alva’s Virasat from December 10-15 in Moodbidri

Alva’s Virasat from December 10-15 in Moodbidri

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 4: The Alva’s Virasat, a national cultural festival organized by Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri, will be held from December 10 to 15 at the Vanajakshi K. Sripathi Bhat Open-Air Theatre in Vivekananda Nagar, Puttige. The 30th edition of Alva’s Virasat will feature a special attraction-a Handloom Saree Festival showcasing handwoven sarees from 30 regions across India, including those with GI tags, said Dr. M. Mohan Alva, President of Alva’s Education Foundation.

Addressing a press conference at the Press Club in Mangaluru on Wednesday, Dr. Alva announced that the prestigious Alva’s Virasat Award 2024 will be presented to renowned Hindustani classical vocalist and Padma Shri awardee Pandit Venkatesh Kumar.

The festival will also feature a direct sales exhibition of handloom sarees and fabrics from across India, including Udupi, Ilkal, Kolkata, Tumminakatte, Venkatagiri, Kashmir, Kanchipuram, Mysuru, Kollegala, Davangere, Chettinad, Kerala, Hyderabad, and Madras. The event is being organized in collaboration with the Udupi Padmashali Weavers Association.

Inauguration Ceremony
The festival will commence on December 10, with an inauguration ceremony from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, officiated by Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala. G. Shankar, President of the Udupi G. Shankar Family Trust, will preside over the event. Following the inauguration, a grand cultural procession featuring over 3,000 artists from more than 100 folk art troupes will take place from 6:35 PM to 8:30 PM. The day will conclude with a Cultural Chariot Procession and Ratharati from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

Schedule Highlights:
December 11:
    5:45 PM – 6:30 PM: Alva’s Virasat 2024 Award Presentation Ceremony
    6:35 PM – 7:30 PM: Hindustani vocal performance
    7:45 PM – 9:00 PM: Gujarati folk dance by Rang Malhar – The Folk Arts team from Gujarat
    9:00 PM onwards: Alva’s Cultural Extravaganza

December 12:
    6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Musical performance by Osman Mir and his team from Gujarat
    8:15 PM onwards: A variety of dance performances
    9:15 PM: Alva’s Cultural Extravaganza

December 13:
    6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Sound of India by Neeladri Kumar and team
    8:15 PM – 9:00 PM: Triparna – A blend of Bharatanatyam, Odissi, and Kathak, choreographed by Ashim Bandhu Bhattacharjee from Kolkata
    9:00 PM onwards: Dance performances by Bengaluru-based Karthik’s Performing Arts and Rajarajeshwari Kala Niketan, featuring Kuchipudi and other classical forms

December 14:
    6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Musical performance by a 25-member team from Stecato, Chennai
    9:00 PM: The cultural programs will conclude with the Cultural Chariot Procession.

December 15:
The final day will feature exhibitions and sales of agricultural products, food items, flowers, handicrafts, antique collections, paintings, and photographs. These stalls will remain open throughout the day. Dr. Alva mentioned that approximately one lakh visitors are expected daily, and all necessary arrangements have been made.

Indian Artisan Bazaar
As in previous years, this edition of Alva’s Virasat will also host the Indian Artisan Bazaar, featuring exhibitions and sales of diverse handicrafts, garments, jewelry, and home décor items. Rare and contemporary artifacts from artisans across India will be on display. The bazaar will be similar to Bengaluru’s Arts and Crafts Fair and Delhi’s Meena Bazaar.

Prasad Shetty, Head of the Journalism Department at Alva’s College, was also present at the press conference.