Mysuru: One of the prominent initiatives of Kannada and Culture Department, of the state government, the ‘Mysuru Division College Natakotsava’, a folklore and theatre arts competition for college students, kick started here on Monday.
Hundreds of college students from Mysuru, Ramanagara, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Mandya, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru will exhibit their folk lore and theatre skills at a five-day natakotsava. In the first of several events, students of Mysuru district performed variety of programmes.
After inaugurating the event, senior theatre artiste Rameshwari Verma lauding the Kannada and Culture Department said the utsava is an excellent opportunity for present youths to share and know the many cultures existing in our society. Though social networks, TV provides utmost information on society, however sharing them personally, is very much different.
“Person having habits of reading books, practicing drama and listening to music will never feel bored throughout life. These are the good friends of a human being and moreover they don’t allow anyone to waste time”, she added urging students to cultivate these habits.
The Vice Chancellor of the Music University, Sarvamangala Shankar in her presidential address, said social networks play a good role in technical parts but have less contribution towards development of tradition compared to folk lore and theatre arts. “Art is like yoga, it helps a lot to keep one stable and healthy,” said the Vice Chancellor.
During the previous month, a natakotsava was organized at every district in the state. Two of the best teams from every distric have been selected for the divisional-level competition and winning troop at the divisional level will compete in state level-natakotsava organized in Bengaluru during March third week, said Kannada and Culture Department Joint Director V
N Mallikarjuna Swami, adding, the aim of the utsava is to attract college students and young minds towards folk lore and theatre arts.
This is a prominent initiative of the government to bring out the hidden talent and to provide an opportunity for college students, felt B M Ramachandra, member of Karnataka Nataka Academy. Young minds must utilize the platform to develop their bright future, he added.
