Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (MS)

Mumbai, Nov 29: The prestigious and senior art institute of the city, Arunodaya Kala Niketan has completed 60 fruitful years. A grand celebration of the Diamond jubilee was held at the Shivaswami auditorium of the Fine Arts Cultural Center of Chembur on Sunday, November 25. The event included various programmes.

Vidwan Pernankila Haridas Bhat Vidyavihar lighted the lamp and inaugurated the programme and extended his good wishes. During the inauguration, eminent guests of honour like Chandrashekar Palettadi, editor of Karnataka Malla newspaper, Dr Surendra Kumar Hegde, president of Kannadiga Kalavidara Parishad, Maharashtra, Srinivas Safalya, president of Safalya Seva Sangha, Mumbai, Chithra R Shetty, social worker and president of Omshakti Womens' association, Kalyan, Geetha A Shetty, Ashok Shetty, Ramesh M Bangera, president of Mogaveera Mahajana Seva Sangha Bagwadi Hobali, Pradip M Chandan, Rajiv M Chandan and Raju Sriyan Navunda were present on the dais.

Achievers who have served various art fields like K K Shetty, Balachandra Rao, V K Suvarna, Anil Kumar Hegde, Narayan Shetty Nandalike, Kamalaksha Saraf, Dr Surendra Kumar Hegde, Geetha Bhat, Shailaja Madhusudhan, Raghavendra Baliga, Sripati Hegde, Praveen Shetty Ekkaru, G T Acharya, Padmanabha Sasihitlu, Harish Poojary, Kaviraj Suvarna and Kutpady Ramachandra Ganiga were felicitated with shawl, flowers and memento.

As a part of the Diamond jubilee celebration, in one stage, at a time, dance musicals, various fusions of dance and music and dance accompanied by music were presented under the direction of art guru and director of the institute, Dr Guru Meenakshi Raju Sriyan by nearly 60 artists depicting the various Indian classical dances, Jugal Bandi dance. In addition, renowned dance forms of India like Bharatnatyam, Mohiniattam, Katak, Odissi, Koochupudi, Manipuri and Kathakkali jugalbandi was also performed.

The stage programme was presided by Grace Pinto, managing director of Rayan International educational group. Suresh Shetty Gurme, social worker and president of Bunts Association Ballary, Sundar Bhandary of Bhandary & Bhandary Associates, Pallavi Mani of Pallavi Foundation, Bangarpet, and Sanjeev K Salian, Gopal Putran, Suresh Kanchan, Susheela M Suvarna, trustees of Arunodaya Kala Niketan were present on the dais as the guests of honour.

During the occasion, 'Suvarna Bharat Ratna' award in memory of Vidwan late guru M N Suvarna was presented to Vaijayanti Kashi, famous Koochupudi guru for 'Bava', Suresh Wadkar, renowned singer of Bollywood for 'Raga' and Anandan Shivamani, very popular drum master for 'Tala'. Guru Vandana programme was held in respect of Sushila M Suvarna, wife of Vidwan late guru M N Suvarna and mother of Dr guru Meenakshi Raju Sriyan.

Social workers, who have served in various fields like Ramachandra Baikampady, Devaraya Manjunatha Sherigar couple, social worker from Bengaluru, Shashikala V Kavli and trustees of the association were felicitated. Anisha Nayak was conferred on with the award of 'Best Student of the Year'.

Dayasagar Chowta compered the programme. Director of the institute, Dr Guru Meenakshi Raju Sriyan rendered the vote of thanks.