Kalabhivardhana, a National-level Art Festival, is being organised by Kala Sandesha Prathishtana along with its seven sister organisations since 2014.

In this art festival, the Prathishtana recognises the notable achievements of the artistes in the field of Classical Dance and music, Shastra, Indian Philosophy and Art at National-level, confer award to them and provide stage for various art forms of India.

The 7th season of Kalabhivardhana was held at Sri Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha in city from Jan.25 to Feb.3.

Day-1: The epitome of Indian Philosophy, Padma Shri Dr. Bannanje Govindacharya was conferred with the title ‘Tatva Vidhyanidhi.’

Day-2: The day featured a discussion the Indian Culture and Art by Dr. Jyothi Shankar and Adarsha Gokhale.

Day-3: Rangayana artistes staged the play ‘Papu Gandhi Bapu Gandhi,’ a story of amazing evolution of great visionary and freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi. The play was directed by Shripadh Bhat and included artistes Anurag, Nithin, Nishanth, Subhash, Gulshan, Manjunath, Prasanna, Kavitha, Shivamma, Archana, Pawan, Bhaskar, Kumar and music by Manju which was operated by Swaroop Devru.

It was a novel-based drama which was written by Boluvaru Mohammad Kuyyi.

Day-4: The day saw three Indian Classical Dances — Bharatanatyam by Vidu. Shubhamani from Mangaluru, Kathakali by Vid. Kalamandalam Vaisak from Thrissur and Kuchipudi by Vid. Surya N. Rao from Bengaluru.

Day-5: Two folk groups performed in the evening — Folk Song by Siddhu Jangama and team and Puppet Show on ‘Sri Krishna Tulabhara’ by M.R. Ranganath and team.

Day-6: Vinutana Gamaka on ‘Mankuthimmana Gundappa’ Vachana by Vid. Nithin Rajaram Shastri from Mysuru and Vyakhyana by Dr. Rama V. Bennur from Mysuru.

Day-7: The day featured a Karnataka Sangeetha Concert by Vidu. M.K. Thejaswini from Bengaluru. She was accompanied by Vid. Sri Keshav on violin, Vid. Pavan Madhav on mridanga, Vid. Srinidhi R. Koundinya on ghata.

Day-8: Karavali Yakshagana Kendra, Mysuru, presented ‘Vali Vadhe.’ The artists who portrayed the characters were Sujendra Handhe (Vali), Manoj Bhat (Tare), Shashank Kashi (Sugriva), Ravi Marodi (Rama) and Akshay Hegade (Lakshmana). Accompanying artistes — Lambodara Hegade (Bagavatike), Ananta Padmanabha Patak (Maddale) and Karthik Dhareshwara (Chende).

Day-9: K. Sandesh Bhargav presented a Solo Thematic Dance feature on ‘Thyagamayi Bharatha.’ The principled and exemplary life of Bharatha was brought into the mold of a ballet Script by Dr. Jyothi Shankar. The artistes who accompanied Sandesh Bhargav on the solo dance were: Choreography and Nattuvanga – Vidu. Dr. Vasundara Doraswamy; Music Composition and Vocal – Vid. Balasubramanya Sharma; Mridanga – Vid. H.L Shivashankar Swamy; Violin – Vid. D. Narayan; Flute – Vid. Nithish Ammannaya; Rhythm Pad – Vid. H.L. Ananthakrishna Swamy.

Day-10: On the concluding day of Kalabhivardhana, ‘Anarghya Kala Poshaka’ title was conferred on Industrialist K.V. Murthy and Chartered Accountant T.R. Harish.

The award function was followed by violin concert by three generations of artists — Vid. H.K. Narasimhamurthy, his son Vid. H.N. Bhaskar and granddaughter Prithvi Bhaskar. They were accompanied by Vid. G.S. Ramanujam on mridanga and Vid. V.S. Ramesh on ghata.