May it be the dais or the background of the stage, ambience or the attire worn by the guests, tradition and culture was something common everywhere and in everything. A yakshagana performance by two different styles - tenku as well as badagu - and bhootharadane staged prior to the inaugural programme set the tone for the cultural extravaganza. Different types of statues of Lord Ganesh adorned the stage along with traditional, coloured umbrellas and oil lamps, thereby serving a feast for eyes for a lifetime.
Prior to the inauguration of Alva’s Nudisiri, the president of the Sammelan, Kendra Sahithya Akademy award winner Vaidehi was brought to the venue in a palanquin.
There was procession from the main gate to the stage accompanied by traditional percussion like ‘Kombu,’ ‘Chende’, ‘Kummate kunitha from Puthige, colourful umbrellas, ‘Kerala chende’ (male and female troupes), ‘Gombe balaga’ of Ramesh Kalladka, ‘Dollu kunitha’ (male), ‘Koragara dolu’ from Mangalore, ‘Honnavara band set,’ ‘Koragara dolu’ from Kundapura, ‘Pooja kunitha’ from Mandya, ‘Dollu Kunitha by Rathna Sridhar and team, and saxophone.
Students of Alva’s College, clad in sarees stood on either side of the procession path holding ‘Kalashas’ in their hands adding traditional fervour to the inaugural procession.
The audience were treated with a demonstration on agriculture activities like culling of paddy by hitting sheaves of hay against a wooden bench by farmers, getting rice by pounding paddy, and then separating husk from the rice.
A poem written by Dr H S Venkateshmurthy ‘Ishtu kaala ottigiddu eshtu bereraru,’ convention President Vaidehi’s poem ‘Bayalu degula bayalu..’ were sung during the inaugural session. Ayana V Raman, a nursery kid, recited the names of over 100 well known writers in Kannada. A souvenir ‘Kannada manasu samanvayadedege’ on Alva’s Nudisiri 2009 was released on the occasion.
