The competitions were held in 16 different categories like ‘Kanda Krishna’, ‘Muddukrishna’; ‘Thuntakrishna’, ‘Balakrishna’, ‘Kishora Krishna’, ‘Sri Krishna’, Geetha Krishna, ‘Yashodha Krishna’ and ‘Devaki Krishna’. A new category ‘Vasudeva Krishna’ too was included this year where the child clad in Krishna costume had to perform along with a man or a woman in Vasudeva costume.
From five month old tiny tots to the students studying in X Std, from housewives to professionals all performed on the stage and entertained the audience at their best. In fact, it was difficult for one to decide which child portrayed Krishna better, for all the Krishnas looked adorable in the colourful costume accompanied by their naughty actions.
If a few kids dressed like Krishna wept on the stage fearing the crowd, few kids showed no inhibition and rather they danced, hogged and captivated the audience with their spellbound act.
Participants speak
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Nalini who had come all the way from Ujire to take part in Yashoda Krishna contest along with her 3-year-old daughter Chaya said that she was extremely happy to perform in front of the huge crowd. “It is not all about competition, but it is about participation. It does not matter if we would win or not, but I am glad that my daughter enjoyed dancing on the stage,” she said. Their dance received appreciation as the daughter tried to overtake her mother in the performance.
For Kunal R Banjan, a III standard student from Surathkal who participated in Sri Krishna competition, to hold miniature ‘Govardhan’ hill was not a herculean task at all. Beaming with confidence, she said she has won several prizes in Krishna Vesha competitions earlier and she is used to it now.
Kalkura Foundation President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said that they have received an overwhelming response this year.
“We were contemplating to cancel an additional category ‘Vasaduva Krishna’ as we were uncertain about the response. But then, we decided to maintain the contest as we received good number of participants for ‘Vasudeva Krishna’ category too,” he said.
Lord at ground
Tiny tot Advith who was playing on the temple square all alone drew the cameramen’s attention all of a sudden. The child’s innocent actions perhaps made the people to think if real Krishna has come down to Kadri.
Srithi Rao Pejavar and Soujanya Hegde who had participated in the first Krishna Vesha competition organised by Kalkura Foundation 24 years back, had come along with their children this time.
Each Krishna was better than the rest in its own way. If some of the kids dressed like Krishna were in a hurry to leave the stage, a few Krishnas fell so much in love performing on the stage that they disagreed to move out of the stage.
