News: Faizan Patel and Errol Gonsalves
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (RX/VA)\
Udupi, Feb 20: Article-19, the annual core communication festival of Manipal Institute of Communication started at its premises, on Thursday, February 17 and concluded on Saturday, February 19.
The three day festival, in its eleventh year since inception, was inaugurated by Dr K Ramnarayan, vice-chancellor of Manipal University on February 17. The inaugural function was also presided over by Dr M V Kamath, director, MIC, Varadesh Hiregange, director, MIC and Raviraj, faculty coordinator.
‘Article-19 is the most awaited event for MIC every year as it is based on the concept of freedom and expression, which is the bedrock of our profession’, said the director, Varadesh Hiregange.
Dr Ramnarayan in his inaugural speech said that freedom comes with responsibility and the ability to express as well as listen is both equally important in communication.
Talks have been arranged by eminent media professionals including renowned rural reporter P Sainath, founding member of CNN IBN and arts journalist Sahar Zaman, human rights activist and documentary filmmaker Stalin K and independent filmmaker and theatre professional, Dhanendra Kawade.
Screening of student films and documentaries from well-known colleges across India, such as Film and Television Institute of India, LV Prasad Film and TV Academy, will be held in the course of the event.
A special event called ‘Alt-Enter’ held on the evening of the second day provided a platform for students to showcase ‘Alternative Entertainment’ forms. Platypus Ferry, Death and the Strawberry and Nystagmus, popular bands of Manipal will entertain the crowd with their fusion of different genres of electrifying music.
Express awards, the flagship event of the fest will be held in the evening on the last day of Article-19, where media students across the country will be rewarded for the best entries in ten different categories. H S Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of Manipal University will be the chief guest for the function.
Promotional Act:
As a promotional act, freedom march was held on February 11, to unveil the banner of Article-19, creating awareness among the students. The Article-19 members, volunteers and MICians flagged off the march from MIC while they cheered and chanted the slogans till Kamath Circle (KC).
The event kicked off with the team members performing their all new theme song followed by a dance performance that immediately caught the crowd’s attention.