Mysore/Mysuru: The second day of the Yuva Sambhrama at the Open Air Theatre in Manasagangothri on Saturday, was a huge crowd-puller, with many sterling and spectacular performances by College students and youths.

Gonikoppa Cauvery College students gave an exciting Kodava dance performance portraying the rich Kodava   culture, practices and traditions, which enthralled the huge audience.

Likewise, students of JSS ITI College at Mariyala in Chamarajanagar district gave a performance that portrayed the courage, sacrifices of our brave soldiers and the richness of Kannada land, culture and language.

Chamarajanagar Government Boys PU College students gave an excellent dance performance on the life of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who fought for equality. ‘Jai Bhim’ slogans rented the air during the course of the performance.

Students of Ponnampet’s Forestry College, in association with students of Vidyavaridhi Composite PU College, Bilikere, gave a magnificent dance performance focusing on nature conservation. The dance presentation was based on the theme ‘Nature is our Future’.

Students of Government Girls PU College, Arkeshwaranagar in Mandya, presented a performance that laid threadbare the plight of transgenders as a gender minority community.

Chamarajangar’s Bright PU College students gave a performance on safety and security of girl children and women. H.D. Kote’s Sri Vishwabharathi First Grade College students gave a dance performance that sought shelter and rehabilitation for poor women and girl children living on streets and who are found selling pens to motorists at traffic signals.

Students from Mysuru’s Marimallappa’s, Taralabalu, St. Joseph’s, Seshadripuram, Sri Chayadevi and Government Ayurveda College, K.R. Nagar’s T. Mariyappa Memorial Composite PU College, H.D. Kote’s St. Mary’s composite PU College, Yelwal’s Kalabharathi Composite PU College, Virajpet’s Cauvery PU College, Pandavapura Government PU College, Nanjangud Taluk’s Doddakavalande Government PU College etc., too gave a variety of dance and drama performances.

Similarly, a variety of performances with focus on freedom fighters, Maharajas, warriors and like and societal issues, were presented by students from other colleges spread across Mysuru and surrounding districts.

Actor Ramesh Aravind, the star attraction

Senior Actor Ramesh Aravind, who is known for his stellar performances in several films of different languages, was the star attraction of the show yesterday. Addressing the audience, Ramesh explained his journey in the world of Cinema, which started over three-decades ago and his life and times.

The senior actor began his talk by narrating the experiences he shared with his two ‘Girl friends’ when he was a youngster. Announcing that the name of his girl friends were ‘Priya’ and ‘Shreya’, which he quoted from the Upanishad, the versatile actor explained a story involving the two girls, which delighted the crowd. Pointing out that it took 30 years for him to achieve big in film industry, Ramesh recalled the days when he participated in the cultural programmes that took place during his college days.  He noted that those who saw his talent in these programmes took him to a Radio show, from where his cinema journey began. He also gave some tips to the youths on choosing their career and the efforts to be made to excel in their chosen fields.

The teaser of Ramesh Aravind’s latest Cinema ‘Shivaji Suratkal-2’ was released on the occasion. Ramesh Aravind, who was recently conferred Honorary Doctorate by Belagavi’s Rani Chennamma University, was felicitated  in the presence of District Minister S.T. Somashekar, Mayor Shivakumar and others.