Mysuru: University of Mysore’s inter-collegiate Literary and Cultural competitions 2022-23 opened to a colourful start with an inauguration by popular playback singer-actress Dr Priyadarshini. Smt. V.R Shailaja, Registrar University of Mysore, Chief Guest Actor Dharma Keerthiraj, Guests of Honour Music Composer-Director Mahesh Mahadev, Actor Manju Milan, Director of Student Welfare Prof. B. S Chandrashekar were present.
From the Kuvempu Statue, the entrance of the University of Mysore to the stage where the ceremony was held, the procession was accompanied by puja dance and dollu kunita troupes. It was special that along with the students, the staff also stepped to the sound of beats and drums.
Prof. B. S Chandrashekar welcomed the dignitaries, participants and the audience of the day and shared the calendar for literary and cultural events.
Dr Priyadarshini inaugurated and said, ‘Competitions are part of the learning process. It is not about winning and losing, but they help in gaining experience. Knowledge is the ultimate wealth and she said that extra-curricular activities are important to explore one’s talent beyond academics. She recollected receiving her PhD doctorate in film music from the same University last year and was happy to inaugurate the function as a Guest this year.’
Registrar, V.R Shailaja said, ‘The richness of the culture of our country can be seen in recent movies. Literary interest among students is low. Students who are studying in the land of great national poet Kuvempu, should read books and increase knowledge, she said. Director S.N Sushma, Prof C Ramaswamy, students and staff were also present at the venue.
Actor Dharma Keerthiraj recollected memories of his first film shooting in Mysore and motivated the students to focus on their goals. Dr Priyadarshini sang a popular film song ‘Kanakanade Sharade’ which depicts Goddess Saraswathi, Goddess of all arts. Mahesh Mahadev presented a duet ‘Neene Nannalu’ with Priyadarshini from Manju Milan’s upcoming movie Rhythm while Dharma and Priyadarshini presented ‘ Kan Kanna’ making the event colorful.
There was a special tribute to the late actor Puneeth Rajkumar, who received an Honorary Doctorate recently from the same university. As the song ‘Bombe Helutaite’ was presented by Priyadarshini, Mahesh Mahadev and Dharma Keerthiraj, the audience lit up the auditorium with their mobile torchlight “The light shall never fade”.
Students from various colleges will be participating in the competitions organized by the Directorate of Student Welfare of the University at the Humanities Hall of Manasagangotri. The competitions for classical music, filmmaking, folk dance, quiz, western music, group singing, folk song, and light music categories will be held for three days.
