‘Kannada not just a language but a feeling and a way of life’

Mysore/Mysuru: The usually busy Manasagangothri Road in the University of Mysore campus gets busier after 4 pm these days as hundreds of youths pour into the Open Air Theatre where Yuva Sambhrama is being held as a prelude for Yuva Dasara.

While youths on stage forget themselves while performing foot-tapping music, the crowd in front of the stage too are mesmerised by the performances. Over the last couple of days, the place is becoming a popular joint for youngsters to hang around after a gap of two years and they are leaving no opportunity in making its maximum use.

Last evening, there were many stellar performances from various educational institutions where the message of Kannada being a feeling or a way of life and not just a language was spread by the performers, holding the Kannada flag. The performance by the students of DPBS Government PU College, Periyapatna, extolling the Kannada language, attracted many and even the audience sang and danced.

Likewise, students of the JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, dressed as peacocks, performed to Kannada tunes while the students of Maharaja’s PU College highlighted the contribution of Vijayanagar rulers, Madakari Nayaka and Onake Obavva who sacrificed so that the Kannada language and culture can thrive.

Students of Bettadapura Government Junior College, Maddur Government Women’s College also performed on Kannada themes and also highlighted how the farmers of Karnataka form a backbone of the State and country. Through their impressive performances, they conveyed the message of urgently saving the lives of farmers who are being driven to commit suicide by banks and money lenders.

Performers from JSS College Ooty Road and Hardwicke Independent PU College commemorated the sacrifices made by the country’s soldiers. While students of CFTRI School performed an adventurous song, students of Mathrumandali College and Cauvery Institute of Health Sciences brought the memories of Kittur Rani Chennamma, Dr. Vishnuvardhan and Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar.

Students from Badariprasadji PU College, Siddarthanagar, performed clips from Ramayana while students of Gundlupet Government First Grade College threw light on the practices followed in border areas. Performers from Holenarasipur Paduvalahippe Sri H.D. Deve Gowda First Grade College enacted Krishna Leela on stage.

The main attraction of the evening was actress Harshika Poonacha who danced to Kodava Vaalaga. Actor-Director Nagendra Prasad accompanied her on stage. Another dancer was Dance Director Kulbhushan who performed for a Puneeth Rajkumar movie song.