Moodubidire: A vibrant confluence of India’s diverse cultural traditions marked the ‘Alva’s Traditional Day – 2026’ celebrations held at Vidyagiri campus of Alva’s Education Foundation on Saturday.
The event witnessed the presence of Kannada actor Dr Shivarajkumar and his wife Geetha Shivarajkumar, who lauded the institution for showcasing a miniature version of India’s cultural richness.
Inaugurating the program by lighting the ceremonial lamp and playing traditional chende & drums, Mr. Shivarajkumar appreciated the spirit of inclusiveness displayed by the students. “To achieve anything in life, one must have a generous heart. I see that quality here. Karnataka’s culture lies in embracing everyone,” he said, urging students to remain united and grow together.
Recalling his earlier visit to Moodubidire during the shooting of the film Smile, he expressed gratitude for the continued affection he has received over four decades. “I feel blessed to receive the same love even today,” he said.
The actor added a lively touch to the celebrations by singing and dancing to popular Kannada songs, including numbers from his debut film Anand and songs associated with his late brother Puneeth Rajkumar, drawing enthusiastic response from the students.
Earlier, he was escorted to the venue through a colorful cultural procession representing various regions of India. Addressing the gathering, Geetha Shivarajkumar described the experience as “a blessing to witness multiple cultures on a single platform” and praised the students for their enthusiasm.
Alva’s Education Foundation Chairman, Dr. M. Mohan Alva presided over the program.
The program also featured the presentation of a portrait created by specially abled student Kaushik to the chief guests. Film personalities including Rahul Amin, Shailashree Mulki, Disha Shetty, and Sahil Rai were present, along with former Minister Abhayachandra Jain and Management Trustee Vivek Alva.
Cultural showcase
Students representing Maharashtra, Gujarat, Northeastern India, Kerala, Karnataka, coastal Karnataka and other parts of India presented traditional art forms, offering a glimpse into India’s pluralistic heritage. The campus was adorned with cultural exhibits, while students dressed in traditional attire added to the visual appeal.
Regional cuisines
The event also featured a food festival offering regional delicacies from across India. Dishes such as Kerala-style kappa and fish curry, Malabar biryani, idiyappam, coastal Karnataka’s kori rotti and fish preparations, Manipur’s singju, momos, and popular items like chole bhature, pani puri, and Hyderabadi biryani were served, attracting large crowds.
The day-long event stood out as a celebration of unity in diversity, reflecting the spirit of India’s rich cultural mosaic.