Mysore/Mysuru: Kumar Performing Arts Centre (KPAC), Mysuru, had organised the 58th International Nirantara Kalemane Festival at its Kalemane Sabhaangana in Hebbal recently.

As part of this celebration, the ‘5th International Nirantara Kalemane Bharatanatyam Dance Competition’ was also conducted.

The competition commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by distinguished dance gurus —  Divya Prashanth, Mysuru;  Bhagya Jyothi, Shivamogga;  Angel Rashmi D’Souza, Kushalnagar; Vidwan B. Girish Kumar, Puttur;  Vidwan P. Uday Kumar, Bengaluru and Vidwan N. Manjunath, Mangaluru.

A total of 64 participants from across the country took part in both Junior and Senior categories of the dance competition.

At the valedictory ceremony in the evening, prizes were distributed to the winners of the dance competition and the following distinguished individuals from various fields were honoured with ‘Kalemane Kalashree’ award:

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal (Literature and Social Service); B. Balakrishnayya (Education); Kannada Sahitya Kalakoota President M. Chandrashekar (Literature and Social Service); M.S. Basavanna (Photo-Journalism) and Nani Hebbalu (Photo-Journalism).