VIKASAM Diamond Jubilee Celebrations inaugurated

General manager of MPM BN Srinivas addressing the inaugural function of the diamond jubilee celebrations of VIKASAM at Bhadravati on Friday. DY Venkatesh, seer Panditharadhya Shivacharya Swami, Ramalinga Setty, KP Jagannath, C Lakshminarayanappa and K Shamamurthy look on

An actor appears in his true dimension whereas he appears bigger on the silver screen and very smaller on television screen, said seer of Sanehalli mutt Pandithacharya Shivacharya Swami. Activities on the stage are the true pictures unlike the ones portrayed in cinemas and televisions. Addressing the inaugural function of diamond jubilee celebrations of VIKASAM (erstwhile Vidyarthi Kala Sangha) at MPM Kalyana Mantapa on Friday, he said one who is curious about arts and literature will grow as a cultured citizen. The stage art also enhances the self confidence. In this perspective only the ‘Shiva Sanchara’ drama troupe is setup and nurtured by the mutt, that has so far given 2000 shows of 42 plays in a span of fourteen years, the seer added. He also lauded the personality of the founder of VIKASAM K Shamamurthy who had been trying hard to unearth the young talents and nurture them on the stage. Shamamurthy is a person who always aspires to walk tall, he concluded.

General manager (HRD) of MPM BN Srinivas, who inaugurated the diamond jubilee celebrations and the exhibition prizes and certificates arranged in this connection, said that ignoring the magnetism of cinema and television Shamamurthy chose to remain in stage art because of his passion for the great art. He was committed to foster the stage art by introducing many innovative ideas to impress the spectators, Srinivas added.

Exective director of Hatti Gold Mines, who was earlier general manager (HRD) of MPM, DY Venkatesh said that Vidyarthi Kala Vedike formed to accommodate amateur artists has grown in size to become a ‘talk of the town’. Remembering the days of enjoying the month-long drama competition that were being held under the auspices of Mitra Kala Mandali in the premises of Sharada Mandir in VISL township way back in 1969, he proclaimed that Bhadravati was not only an industrial city but also a paradise for many budding as well as professional artistes.

Cine artiste Bhagyashree, former vice presidents of VIKASAM Ramalinga Setty, K Jagannath and CK Gopal were felicitated on this occasion. Founder member HB Gopal was also honoured.

KP Jagannath and CK Gopal spoke on behalf of the felicitated dignitaries. President of VIKASAM C Lakshminarayanappa presided and also announced that a website of VIKASAM – vikasam.com – would be shortly launched for the benefit of those interested in the stage art. Invoking the quote of Barnard Shaw “the culture will be very rich where the stage art is alive” Lakshminarayanappa said that there was a direct relationship between the drama and real life.

Founder of VIKASAM Kalashree K Shamamurthy gave a prefatory talk highlighting the way Vidyarthi Kala Sangha performed and grown in to VIKASAM to see the diamond jubilee celebrations. He also placed on records the encouragement and support lent by MPM and VISL management as well as the people of Bhadravati who always patted on the back of artistes.

Shankaramurthy welcomed. Barandur Prakash anchored. Kapanigowda proposed a vote of thanks.