Mysuru: It was time to enter the ethereal world after the mind was exercised sufficiently with the Akshara Jatre (festival of letters) on the first day of the 83rd Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana. As the Sun set (and one can watch the most beautiful sun sets in the cultural capital), there was cultural treat awaiting the literature lovers in the various venues spread across the city.

At the Maharaja’s College Centenary Hall, Kuchipudi dance, which has a pride of place among the many dance forms in the country, by Prasanna Lakshmikaladhara Nrityanikethana, Mysuru. The neat performance by the children won the hearts of the Kannada lovers.

This was followed by the theme ‘Malagiruveya Ranganatha,’ describing Vishnu and Krishna and they danced in tune to the song and the beat. The popular Kannada State song ‘Hachevu Kannadada Deepa’ was another number to which the children danced winning the hearts of the audience.

This was followed by Togalugombeyata performance by  Bheemavva Madara and Group from Koppala, ventriloquism (Maatanaduva Gombe) by Suma Rajkumar, Buddha’s dance feature by Shrusti Abhinaya Kala Kendra, Bengaluru and mythological play by Nagarajuna and Group from Tumakaru. Earlier in the day, Jnanasindhu Visually-impaired Children’s Group from Gadag presented cultural programmes and in the evening, Sugama Sangeetha was presented by Vijayalakshmi Pujera and Group from Hampi.

Kalamandira: The lilting tunes of Sugama Sangeetha filled the Kalamandira auditorium last evening as three groups from Chikmagalaru (Ramappa Chalavadi and Group), Bhadravati (S.B. Shivalingappa and Group) and Yadgir (Ammayya L. Mutt and Group) sang songs that reverberated in everyone’s hearts. Even as the light music melody ended, the catchy folk songs by Jenugudu Janapada Gayana from Channapatna had the audience tapping their feet. This was followed by the mesmerising dance ballet by Siri Dance, Kalaniketana, Bengaluru. The evening ended with a soothing Harikatha discourse by Dr. Lakshman Das.

Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple: Even as the Mysore Palace was illuminated to the awe of the literature lovers from different parts of the State and country, the North Gate entrance where the Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple is located came alive in the evening with performances by various artistes. Classical Music by B.R. Banasode and Troupe, Vijayapura, Harikathe by Kubendra Shastri S. Hakkandi and Group from Gadag, musical feature by Apeksha Dance Troupe, Bhadravathi, Kannada songs by Siddaraju and Troupe, Mysuru, dance by Shailusham Arts, Bengaluru and Sugama Sangeetha by Raghavendra Kegga and Group from Sringeri.