A colourful start to Alva's Nudisiri

The 14th edition of Alva's Nudusiri, the three-day literary-cultural extravaganza at Moodbidri had a colourful start on Friday with an attractive procession of cultural troupes along with Nudisiri President and the inaugurator.

Clad in Poothaniya gear, Ranjith of Karkala led the procession by spitting fire from his mouth. He was followed by Shankhanada musical instruments, Dolu, Chende, Chilipli dolls of Bantwal, Goravara Kunitha of Chamarajanagara and dolls of Kalladka.

Troupes representing the rich cultural heritage of coastal Karnataka and the rest of the state took the centre stage during the procession. There were Yakshagana, Dollukunitha, Pooja Kunitha, Veerabhadrana Kunitha, Aatikalanja, Mangaluru Dolu, women carrying vegetables to highlight the farming community, Hulivesha, Punjabi band team, NCC teams and much more in the procession. More than 80 art troupes had taken part in the procession. The Dolu Kunitha and Kerala Chende by Alva's students were centre attractions.

The formal inauguration with the lighting of the lamp was followed by pouring milk on paddy seedlings, a custom practised in coastal Karnataka.