Mysore/Mysuru: Maintaining that India is home for martial arts, Senior Journalist C. Maheshwaran, who is also a martial arts expert, stressed on the need for promoting the art.

He was speaking at ‘Kalaripayat’ demonstration programme organised at Bhoomigeetha in Rangayana premises as part of Rangayana Foundation Day here on Friday.

Pointing out that martial arts does not mean any physical bout or fight between individuals or groups, Maheshwaran said it is an art that is aimed at personality development. He said that martial arts in the Indian context also involves moral training and added that Balaram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna, was the first martial artist.

Rangayana Director Addanda C. Cariappa, in his address, urged the Government to earmark separate funds for promotion of Indian theatre education. Recalling that actress B. Jayashree, who served as Rangayana Director earlier, had dreamt of providing theatre education, Cariappa said that Lingadevaru Halemane had realised that dreams and now he was taking that much forward. Pointing out that he has appealed Kannada and Culture Minister to earmark separate funds for promotion of Indian theatre education, he said that it was difficult to provide Ranga Shikshana out of Rangayana grants. Cariappa further said that he has sought Rs.50 lakh for Indian theatre education.

Martial Arts trainer Anju Singh from Manipur, who has been serving in Rangayana for the past 22 years, was felicitated on the occasion.

Bharatiya Ranga Shikshana students presented a Kalaripayat demonstration.      

Martial Arts trainer Vinod Kadangal, Rangayana Admi-nistrative Officer Nirmala Matapathi, Bharatiya Ranga Kendra Head S. Ramanath and others were present.