Nitte Creativity Festival showcases vibrant fusion of culture, creativity and insightful discussions

Nitte Creativity Festival showcases vibrant fusion of culture, creativity and insightful discussions

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 01, 2024: The Nitte Creativity Festival, a one-day event of interactive sessions, performances, and an exhibition, was conducted on Friday, May 31, 2024, at the Nitte Institute of Communication (NICO). The event featured four speakers, two performances, an exhibition and the sale of handloom sarees and readymade garments. This is the second edition of the fest organized by the MA (II Year) students as part of their studies in Event Management.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The event opened with a chende performance that set an enthusiastic tone for the event. Prof. Raviraj, Head of the Institution, NICO, welcomed the esteemed guests and highlighted the extensive efforts behind organizing this remarkable event. The inaugural ceremony featured a traditional block printing ceremony, emphasizing a fusion of creativity and culture. The guests, along with Prof. Raviraj and event coordinators Ms. Anupama Ratheesh, Ms. Asmita V. and Ms. Judy Sherine Faber, printed two distinct patterns on a white canvas to symbolize the official inauguration of the event.

The interactive sessions began with a talk by Ms. Mamatha Rai, Founder & President of Kadike Trust, who spoke on the history and evolution of the Udupi saree, the weavers, and training new weavers to build a larger weaving community. The pioneer behind the Udupi saree revival project, she emphasized the cultural and sustainable importance of the saree industry, its role in strengthening communities, and the growing appreciation for Udupi sarees in India and across the globe.

The second talk was by Mr. Karthik Venkatesh, Executive Editor at Penguin Random House, India, who shared his expertise on the lesser-known aspects of the editor’s role in the book industry. He elaborated on the detailed process of transforming an idea into a marketable product, providing valuable insights into the publishing world.

The third speaker was Mr. Ritwik Kaikini, an Immersive Experience Designer, Writer and Music Composer, who shared his firsthand experiences in learning and creating music. He presented clips illustrating the creative process behind producing his renowned compositions in films such as ‘Kenda’ and ‘Popcorn Monkey Tiger’. His session offered a deep dive into the art and challenges of music composition.

The last speaker of the day was Mr. N.A. Mahamed Ismail, Associate Vice President at Jio Cinema Kannada, who discussed the pressing issues surrounding the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the media industry. He illustrated how the advertising sector extensively utilizes AI and explored the potential for AI to coexist with current technologies, emphasizing its inevitability and the need for adaptation.

The event saw performances by Sri Guru Chende, Mangaluru, in collaboration with Adhya Vijayan, a violinist and student at MIT, Manipal. The dynamic fusion performance with the powerful beats of the chende paired with the melodious tune of the violin left the audience excited and energized.

The event concluded with the mesmerizing Yakshagana puppetry show by puppeteer Mr. Bhaskar Kogga Kamath with his team Sri Ganesh Yakshagana Gombeyata Mandali, Uppinakudru. The puppet show showcased the story of Choodamani and Lankadahana, with various characters from the Ramayana. The puppet show, which featured puppets standing 18 inches tall, portrayed the traditional art of Yakshagana puppetry and the exceptional skills of the group.

Post the puppet show, Mr. Kamath explained all the intricate processes behind the art of puppetry. He showed a few innovative ideas he developed for designing these puppets and how the art form is used today to create awareness of contemporary issues like environmental pollution and global warming.

The fest also featured an exhibition and sale of handloom sarees and readymade garments, set up in collaboration with Vastra Vinyasa, Shimoga. Defined as a revolution in sewing, Vastra Vinayasa sources fabric from traditional weavers in North Karnataka to produce readymade garments and works with weavers in West Bengal to source Jamdani sarees. Since 2020, the company has also started its own block printing unit.

The Nitte Creativity Festival showcased a rich blend of creativity, art, culture, insightful discussions, and exciting performances, leaving the attendees inspired and engaged.