She was speaking after inaugurating Nrithya Pratibha Utsav, a four-day dance festival of young talents being held under the aegis of Kendra Sangeet Natak Academy and Shree Devi Nrithya Kendra at Town Hall here on Monday.

“I am proud that I am a Mangalorean. The Kendra Sangeet Natak Academy has organised the festival for the first time here. Young talents will be encouraged by such opportunities. Those who have not watched dance genres like Chavo, Kathak, Odissi may have a rare opportunity to see them. With this, it is possible that the art forms will reach the safe hands, by creating awareness about art and culture among the younger generation,” Ms Rao observed.

The children of nowadays are going for engineering and medical courses. They should understand that they would be more happy if they learn music or dance, she advised.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat former president Harikrishna Punaroor, Parishat district chief S Pradeep Kumar Kalkur, danseuse Jayalakshmi Alva, Kendra Sangeet Natak Academy Deputy Secretary Jayaprakash Bengeri and Shree Devi Nrithya Kendra Director Dr Arathi Shetty were present.

Manipur Educational Cultural Harmony Organisation artistes performed Pung Cholam dance, while Chenna Kalakshetra’s Meera and Rajyamallya performed Bharatanatyam, Ritushri Chowdhari from Kolkata staged Kathak, Bhuvaneshwara’s Arupa Gayathri Panda and Pravat Kumar Sen performed Odissi and Mery Bini from Mangalore performed Bharatanatyam, after the inaugural function.