Mangaluru: Alva’s Samskritika Vaibhava, a cultural extravaganza featuring students of Alva’s Education Foundation, will be held at the Karavali Utsav Maidan at 6.15 pm on Saturday under the aegis of the Alva’s Nudisiri–Virasat Mangaluru unit.Foundation chairman M Mohan Alva told reporters on Wednesday, that more than 500 student artistes will present a vibrant array of cultural programmes. Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta will inaugurate the event, while Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath will preside. The programme is dedicated to N Vinay Hegde in recognition of his continued support to the foundation’s initiatives.The performances will include a diverse line-up such as Yoga Deepika, a cultural interpretation of yoga; classical dance ‘Ashtalakshmi’; Badaguthittu Yakshagana ‘Shankarardha Shareerini’; Gujarat’s Dandiya dance; Manipuri stick dance; Mallakhamba and adventure acts; creative dance; Dollu Kunitha; Kathak ‘Varshadhare’; Purulia Simha (lion) dance; Thenkuthittu Yakshagana ‘Hiranyaksha Vadhe’; and Bombe Vinodavali.Alva noted that seating arrangements have been made for over 8,000 spectators. He described the event as a celebration of India’s cultural richness, offering a unique platform that brings together tradition, diversity, and meaningful social messages aimed at building a progressive society.The performers are students supported under various schemes of the foundation, who rehearse daily after class. Since 2012, they have staged over 500 performances across different regions as part of the foundation’s outreach initiatives.Following the Vishwa Nudisiri-Virasat (2012-13), Alva’s Nudisiri–Virasat units have been established across India and abroad, with 78 active units currently. The programme will run for approximately two hours and 45 minutes, and has in several locations, drawn audiences ranging from 15,000 to 20,000.Alva emphasised that the initiative aims to nurture culturally strong students while contributing to the creation of a culturally enriched society.
