'Artists should reform society through works'

An artist through his work should try to highlight the negativity in the society. Be it a cartoon, photography or drawings, an artist should try to reform the society through his work and thus work towards the development of the country, said Moodbidri Jain Mutt seer Swasthisri Charukeerthi Panditacharyavarya Swami.

He was speaking after conferring Alva's Chitrasiri, Chayachitrasiri and Vyangyachitrasiri awards at Vidyagiri in Moodbidri.

In his presidential address, Alva's Education Foundation Chairman Dr M Mohan Alva said that the Foundation will give a new look for "Chitrasiri" during the next Alva's Nudisiri. For the first time, the Foundation organised state-level Vyangyachitrasiri. He added that from next year, they are planning to organise national-level programme.

Well-known photography artist Dr O P Sharma was conferred "Chayachitrasiri 2017." Ramesh Rao of Udupi was conferred on Alva's Chitrasiri award while senior cartoonist Prakash Shetty M was given "Alva's Vyangyachitrasiri" award on the occasion. The award carries a cash of Rs 25,000 each and citation.

Linguist K P Rao, Karnataka Cartoonists' Association President V R Chandrashekar, senior artist Ganesh Somayaji, Koti Prasad Alva, Purushotham Adve, senior photographer Yajna were present.