South India comes alive in Shravanabelagola

Thousands of devotees witnessed a variety of cultural programmes held as part of Mahamastakabhisheka at Chavundaraya Mantap in the town on Sunday.

Artistes from Karnataka and other states showcased their talent at the illuminated stage. Songs from Kannada films, folk dance, sugama sangeetha, laser show, music and dance dramas enthralled the audience.

Singers Hemanth, Purushottam, Supritha Lokesh and Jyothi sang popular Kannada numbers, "Navaaduva nudiye Kannada nudi...", "Kelisade Kallu Kallinalli Kannada nudi..." "Preethse Preethse...", "Bul Bul mathadakilva" and others, providing wholesome entertainment to the audience.

While artistes from Telangana performed Lambani dance, Pondicherry artistes presented Thappattam, Tamil Nadu's Mayilattam, Karagattam, Kerala's Kathakali and other dance forms showcased South Indian culture.

Guinness record holder artiste Koke Vijayalakshmi and troupe danced to the Gommateshwara stuti 'Om namo arihantham... Om namo siddanam'. The laser show highlighted the culture and tradition of the erstwhile kings of Karnataka and the state.

Tyagaraja and troupe of Ramanathapura presented a saxophone recital. Artistes from Sudha Natraj Music School, Hassan, presented Hindustani vocal, Veena Upadhya troupe presented Nritya Sangama, Banushri, N R Prasad, Banuma Gurudatt, and Hema Ganesh presented sugama sangeetha programme.