Alva's Virasat begins on a colourful note in Moodbidri

Bharatanatyam exponent V P Dhananjayan on Friday said art bring all hearts together.

He was speaking after receiving Alva’s Virasat Award 2017, instituted by Alva’s Education Foundation, in Moodbidri on Friday. “Dance is just physical. Indian dance is not just a dance, but ‘Natya’. It is physical, mental as well as spiritual. This is the speciality of our tradition. Natya is also a system of education. Character is imbibed through art integrated education. Art refines one’s mind. Bharatana-tyam shows a great lineage. Our country is ‘Bharatha’. Bharatha is the land which eradicates the ignorance of the whole world.”

The Virasat honour is very unique and will be cherished by him, he added.

Felicitation

A felicitation was offered to Dhananjayan with a performance of Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Sattriya, Kathak, Odissi, Kathakkali and Yakshagana.

Earlier speaking inaugurating Alva’s Virasat, Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade said greatness of the heart is what makes a human being a great one. “There is a great responsibility on all of us to give a good future to the next generation. Good education is the one which gives good character,” he added.

Prior to the inauguration, a colourful procession was taken out. Shankhanada, Chende, Dollu, Honnavara band, artistes from Sri Lanka and others took part in the procession.

Dhananjayan’s spouse Shantha, Alva’s Education Foundation Chairman Dr M Mohan Alva, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, SCDCC Bank President M N Rajendra Kumar, Karnataka Bank MD and CEO P Jayaram Bhat and others were present.