Mysuru: With the University of Mysore (UoM) naming its Open-Air Theatre at the Manasagangothri campus ‘Kuvempu Bayalu Rangamandira’ (Kuvempu Open-Air Theatre) after Poet Laureate Kuvempu, the Mysuru-Chamarajanagar District Vokkaligara Sangha felicitated University Vice-Chancellor Prof. N.K. Lokanath at his office in Crawford Hall yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Lokanath said, Kuvempu had a close association with the concept of Manasagangothri.

“Keeping in mind that Kuvempu should always remain at the heart of the Manasagangothri campus, the University decided to name the Open-Air Theatre after him, with the approval of the Syndicate Members,” he said.

Noting that the University had installed portraits of Kuvempu and the erstwhile rulers of Mysore at various departments and sections, Prof. Lokanath said, the auditorium at the University’s Fine Arts College on Bogadi Road had also been named after renowned multilingual singer S. Janaki, who passed away recently in Mysuru.

Mysuru-Chamarajanagar District Vokkaligara Sangha members felicitating Mysore University VC Prof. N.K. Lokanath at his office in Crawford Hall yesterday on naming the Open-Air Theatre after Kuvempu.

“It is a matter of happiness that the Open-Air Theatre has been named ‘Kuvempu Open-Air Theatre’ at a time when the city is gearing up to host the popular ‘Yuva Sambhrama’ at the venue and ‘Yuva Dasara’ on the city outskirts,” he added.

Vokkaligara Sangha President C. Mariswamy and General Secretary M. Chetan said, it was laudable that the University had named the Open-Air Theatre after Kuvempu, as it had remained unnamed.

The Sangha thanked Prof. N.K. Lokanath and the Syndicate Members for the decision and said, it would continue to extend its support to the University’s developmental initiatives and activities.

Sangha office-bearers Alathur Jayaram and Chetan Gowda, Directors G. Kumar Gowda, B.P. Boregowda, A. Ravi, Vontikoppal Gururaj and Girish Gowda, Journalist S.T. Ravikumar; Syndicate Members Mahadesh, Gokul Govardhan and H.S. Nataraj, community leaders Beedanahalli Satish Gowda, Dr. Lokesh, Sa.Ra. Arun, Paduvarahalli Kumar, Mayanna, J. Swamygowda and KSRTC Vishwanath, businessman Chetan Gowda, Yeraganahalli Siddu and others were present.