‘There are no Judgements to Make where Pluralism is Omnipresent’ – Dr Nagatihalli Chandrashekar
‘There are no Judgements to Make where Pluralism is Omnipresent’ – Dr Nagatihalli Chandrashekar Speaks as Alva’s Nudisiri 2017 Comes to a Grand Closure
Moodbidri: Alva’s Nudisiri 2017, the national festival of Kannada state, culture and literature themed ‘Foundations of Pluralism’ commenced with a grand valedictory session at the Rathnakara Varni Vedike on 3rd of December. A grand procession consisting of cultural elements of India led the guests of the occasion on to the dais.
No one has made efforts to accurately comprehend and adhere to the principles of pluralism so far. Alva’s Nudisiri made an attempt in the direction and has considerably succeeded in contributing and exploring the dimensions of pluralism. Nudisiri has also been an amalgamation of agriculture, culture, photography, performing arts, drawing, and folklore. The literary discourses have been the best so far, and the agriculture fair has been the largest, he added.
Felicitation to Nudisiri Award receivers was carried out at the valedictory, where 13 recipients of the award were felicitated by Dr Mohan Alva. The recipients of the award for the year 2017 are – Bishop Henry D’Souza for his contribution to art in general, Nadoja Dr N Santosh Hegde for his contribution to the judicial system of Karnataka, Dr Tejaswi Kattimani for his contribution to Kannada linguistic literature, Dr Siddhalinga Pattana Shetty for his contribution to Kannada theatre, Prof. K B Siddhayya for contribution to poetic literature and activism, Prof. G S Hanneradumatha for contribution to poetic literature, Dr B Surendra Rao for contribution to historic research, Dr M Prabhakara Joshi for contribution to Yakshagana, Gireesh Bharadhwaj for contribution to social service through infrastructure, Padmaraja Dandavati for contribution to journalism, Rathnamala Prakash for her contribution to classical music, Dr Tonse Vijay Kumar Shetty for his contribution to theatre and vernacular film, Laksminarayana Acharya for his contribution to fine arts.
Replying to the felicitation, Dr Tejaswi Kattimani said “This is a lifetime felicitation. Dr Mohan Alva’s creativity awes me. He has built an institution that shall generate resourceful citizens for the country. The importance of co-curriculum is emphasised at Alva’s like nowhere else. Dr Alva is an asset to the country.”
Padmaraja Dandavathi said “Relentless work that contributes to the society always yields appreciation, as long as the work is honest and aims public welfare. Karnataka has ample names that deserve such credit.”
Dr M Prabhakara Joshi said “Dr Mohan Alva is parallel to the greatest laureates he has respected all his life. He accepts continuous challenges and elevates the standards of his execution every year. It is high time we openly disregard the entities that try to oppose events like Nudisiri.”
Delivering the presidential address, the President of Alva’s Nudisiri 2017 Dr Nagatihalli Chandrashekar said “The connection that we have with the world is through our work. If one doesn’t work, he does not deserve to live. However, the choice of work is highly important as well.”
Speaking about the theme of Alva’s Nudisiri and its execution, he said “Pluralism is omnipresent. It is a necessity of India to recognise the essence of it and turn it into an asset of the country – and not let it be misconceived.
Here’s a decision to be proposed – to not make decisions and judgements regarding the literary and cultural conference. It is always best to act and experience what we aspire than just speak of it. There are ample ‘decisions’ pending to be proposed and taken regarding Kannada. A few regarding supply of water along the state, a few education system in Karnataka, a few regarding the linguistic aspects of teaching in the state, a few regarding implementation of technology for propagation of information to grass root levels – with enough decisions pending, we need to make neither decisions, nor judgements about Alva’s Nudisiri.
Without worrying about the judgements to be made regarding the employment sector of the state, Nudisiri initiated its own unique type of Udyoga Siri. This place is enriched with ideas, efforts and excellence; and hence deserves to be flaunted enough. For when people do not flaunt the goods enough, people with destructive mentalities shall flaunt the wrongs. Hence it is always right to propagate the rights. Students must be strongly encouraged to pursue experiences like that of Nudisiri. Though the impacts of such experiences might be subjective, they must be lived frequently.”
“It is best we transcend the boundaries that separate us and travel back to the times where people lived in harmony even without technology. No other country has sustained its cultures and rural traditions like India. They have developed technologically, but the loss of pluralistic orientation has caused a cultural void in most countries.
Pluralism in India has sustained itself, but we also need to remember that democracy is our only identity once we step into the national sphere. Each of us has been embarked with a set of duties, and we must perform them with the expected sense of responsibility. There are always forces that shall obstacle goodwill, but good shall eventually transcend them,” Dr Nagatihalli Chandrashekar added.
Dr Nagatihalli Chandrashekar was felicitated with grandeur by all the Nudisiri awardees and dignitaries post his presidential address.
The valedictory ceremony of Alva’s Nudisiri 2017 commenced with a song sung by the music team of Alva’s that sang ‘All thou gathered here to serve the mother of Kannada, may the force be with you.” Ex-Minister Abhaychandra Jain, MP Captain Ganesh Karnik, Ex-Minister Amarnath Shetty were present at the occasion. Nearly 10,000 people witnessed the valedictory. Venugopal Shetty mastered the ceremony, while Vice President of Nudisiri Welcome Committee Andaru Gunapal Hegde rendered the vote of thanks.