Inter-collegiate literary and cultural contest inaugurated

The youth in the country are being misled due to the influence of various forms of neo-media, and it was important to attract them towards folk art forms, by reviving them, said folk expert P K Rajashekar, here on Monday.

He was speaking at the inaugural of inter-collegiate literary and cultural competitions of University of Mysore.

He said that the lure of the modern world, had made the youth forget their roots. “That is why, the country is witnessing brain drain and the disappearance of family ideals, that had held our society together,” he said.

Art increases the knowledge and understanding of a person. Youth should pursue some kind of art form, while educational institutions should provide forums for them to exhibit their talents, he said. He added that encouraging folk art forms was equally important as encouraging science.

Actor Sowmyalatha, said that there had been a change in the mindset of parents, when it came to art forms. In the past, parents used to vehemently oppose their children from pursuing a career in theatre or drama or any other form of performing arts. “However, the trend is changing,” she said.

Ahead of the inaugural, a rally was taken out from Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies to Humanities Auditorium at the varsity premises.