Mysore/Mysuru: Jagannatha Centre for Art and Culture (JCAC) will be conducting its first edition of ‘Uttarayana’ Art and Culture Festival at its premises in Vijayanagar 1st Stage here from Jan. 23 to 27.

Addressing the media persons at JCAC premises here yesterday, Festival Curator and former Rangayana Senior Artiste S. Ramnath said that the Festival would be inaugurated by renowned Theatre Director and Indian Institute of Educational Theatre Founder Prasanna on Jan. 23 at 4 pm with a representative from Mysore Royal Family present as the honorary guest.

Kannada Development Authority Chairman Dr. Purushotham Bilimale will deliver a keynote address on ‘Namma Nudi, Namma Samskruti (Our Language, Our Culture)’ on the occasion. Former Joint Secretary of Cabinet Secretariat Ravi Joshi and Eminent percussionist Vid. Anoor R. Ananthakrishna Sharma will be the chief guests, he added.

The Festival includes Karnatak and Hindustani musical concerts by renowned musicians, film festival, theatre show, dance, quizzes, short film festival, panel discussions related to literature, arts and music and workshops titled ‘Little Leaders’, ‘Her Voice Her Stage’, ‘Film Making’, ‘The Red Carpet Vibe’ and ‘Nruthya Rasagrahana.’

Also, Visual Art Exhibition titled ‘Paytay Beedhi’ and Architecture Exhibition of Girish Doshi’s works titled ‘A life in architecture’ have been organised. Both the exhibitions will be open from 10 am to 7 pm on all five days.

Renowned artistes and eminent personalities like Mysore M. Manjunath, Vyjayanthi Kashi, B. Suresh, Ravi Joshi, Lakshmisha Tholpady, Nirupama Rajendra, Dundiraj, B.R. Lakshman Rao and many others will participate in various programmes.

As part of the lecture series, Film Critic N. Manu Chakravarthy will deliver a talk on ‘Changing perspective on Indian cinema’ on Jan. 24. Former Joint Secretary of Cabinet Secretariat Ravi Joshi will deliver a lecture on ‘The making of the Preamble’ and School of Liberal Arts, Vidayshilp University, Bengaluru, Professor and Dean Chandan Gowda will speak on ‘Humanisms outside the Constitution’ on Jan. 26.

The sole objective of Uttarayana is to enhance the art and culture in Mysuru, to provide a good platform for artists, to create an opportunity for people with similar interests to meet each other and to make Mysuru, which has made a special name in the field of art, culture, literature and cinema, a household name and a city that nurtures art.

Senior Theatre Director T.S. Nagabharana and noted Humourist Prof. M. Krishnegowda will take part in the valedictory on Jan. 27, he added. For details interested may contact Mob: 78990-33303 or visit www.jcacmysuru.com/uttarayana-2026

JCAC Manager Ravikumar, Vid. Manasa Nayana, Vid. Sai Shiv, Dr. Rama V. Bennur and Vidu. Dr. Kripa Phadke were present.