The University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, Sri Lanka, staged a spectacular cultural performance featuring exquisitely talented singers and dancers from Karnataka, South India, on August 25th 2023, in the first ever Karnataka cultural extravaganza. The “40th International Cultural Festival” was organised by the International Cultural Council of India, and the M. E. Global Peace Foundation in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Indian Cultural Centre based in Colombo, State Ministry of Higher Education and the University of Performing and Visual Arts along with the Asian Media & Cultural Association (AMCA) and PEN Sri Lanka.
The 40th edition of the cultural festival was graced by the presence of Minister of Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka, State Minister of Higher Education Dr. Suren Raghavan, Dean of the University of Performing and Visual Arts Prof. Rohana P. Mahaliyanarachchi and Prof. Amila Kankanamge. During the 3 hour long festivalthe audience were treated to exceptional performances which included traditional South Indian and folk dances, Tollywood film songs, multi lingual poems, and an intriguing puppet show based on the Ramayana by Yashoda Ranga Puthali.
Prominent Karnataka dancer Madhuri Bondre and her amazing troupe performed to the delight of the audience, along with a dance form of the Yaksha tribe performed by Shreyas Ravi Hegde. An energetic performance showcasing upcountry Kandyan dance by the students of the host University thrilled the crowd, while melodious Karnataka singer Pushpa Aradhya excited the audience with her rendition of the popular hit song from the movie “Pushpa”: “O Antava Mawa”. Charismatic singers Manthesh Mamadapura,Venkatesh Moorthi Shiroor,Gona Swami, also entertained the crowd with their repertoire of South Indian songs. The 40th International Cultural Festival was greatly appreciated by the audience who had come to witness an evening filled with breathtaking performances by dedicated and inspiring artists from the Karnataka region of South India.
Article by Nelum Buddhadasa