Mangaluru: A four-day day literary and cultural meet, Alva’s Nudisiri 2015, got off to a colorful start on Thursday at Moodbidri. A number of cultural troupes showcased the rich cultural heritage of coastal Karnataka and the rest of the State. Nudisiri Sarvadhyaksha and the inaugurator along with other dignitarties, participated in the attractive procession.
The formal inauguration with lighting of the traditional lamp was followed by pouring milk on paddy seedlings, a custom practised in coastal Karnataka. After the inaugural and presidential addresses, a host of cultural programmes were performed.
Veena Shantheshwara, writer and retired professor after inaugurating the 12th edition of the mega event, said that individual freedom appears to have taken over equality, as feared by B.R. Ambedkar. Individual freedom is being threatened by traditionalism, she said.
“I have always been optimistic and hope that programmes like Nudisiri would infuse harmony among the masses,” she said.
She stressed the need for a new national education policy featuring contemporary democratic values and a national agriculture policy to offer scientific prices for agriculture produces.
Sarvadhyaksha of Nudisiri 2015, T.V. Venkatachala Shastri, presided over the programme and said over the years the cordial ties between social life and literary activities are getting loosened while strife is on the rise.
Shastri regretted the recent attacks on intellectuals and writers in the recent days, and said the country has lost a great intellectual like M.M. Kalburgi. Wile society has to protect the interest of writers, writers have to uphold society’s interest: both should exercise absolute patience, he said.
Alva’s Foundation Chairman M. Mohan Alva, past presidents of Nudisiri Ham. Pa. Nagarajaiah, B.A. Vivek Rai, Kamala Ham. Pa. Na., and others were present.
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