Mysore/Mysuru: Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, a renowned Indian director, actor, screenwriter and lyricist predominantly working in Kannada Cinema, inaugurated the 15th edition of the Inter-Collegiate Literary and Art Competition, Shabd 2021, organised by JSS Science and Technology University (JSS S&TU – SJCE) recently. This was the first online edition of the Fest and had to be held online due to the State-wide lockdown. 

In his inaugural speech, Nagathihalli spoke about his appreciation of the annual college magazine (Jayzine) and of the variety of articles, the humorous footers, the beautiful photos, artwork and also included a notable mention to the Kannada special section. 

He brought up a whole new perspective to the word ‘Shabd’. He also stressed how important art is in our lives and how we cannot carry on without it, and how necessary a balance of the right and left side of the brain is. Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar also gave the crowd insight into the cinema industry and how his love for writing is the reason he could become such a renowned director through a Question-and-Answer session held at the end of the inauguration.

A large number of people gathered to watch the live stream of the online inauguration, held safely from the comfort of everyone’s homes. Faculty members and students alike were intrigued to hear and ask questions to the award-winning director. The other dignitaries present were Registrar of JSS S&TU Dr. S.A. Danaraj, Principal of SJCE Dr. S.B. Kivade, Staff coordinator of SJCE Editorial Board Prof. Vanishri Arun and the three student Editors-in-Chief of JSS S&TU Editorial Board — Bhavana Tiyauura, Santosh Satish and Sharvari S. Sosale.

Vinay compered. Vadiraj rendered invocation. Sanchitha welcomed. Bhavana, Santosh and Sharvari presented the annual report of the Editorial Board. Prof. Vanishri introduced the chief guest which was followed by the release of the annual magazine cover, Jayzine. 

Dr. S.A. Danaraj spoke about the creativity of the Board and reiterated the importance of art and literature. Dr. S.B. Kivade urged everyone to stay safe during these difficult times. This was followed by a Q&A session with the chief guest. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Vadiraj.

Shabd was started in 2006 by the members of the Editorial Board of JSS S&TU with an intention to encourage the literary and art skills of students. JSS S&TU was the first institution to start a literary and art fest in Karnataka among Engineering Colleges and it continues to be the only engineering college doing so till date.

Creative Writing, Debate, Love Letter Writing, Quiz, Poetry, Pick and Speak, Build Your Character, Bamboozled, and Picture Connect in Kannada and English, and Photobashing, Photography, Pencil Sketching, Painting and Spot Painting in Art were the events spread over the two days of the Fest — June 5 and 6. 

Around 2,500 participants had registered for the Fest.