Mangaluru: The 31st Alvas Virasat and the 17th Alvas Nudisiri are all set to be held together at Moodbidri from January 6 to 10. The five-day event will showcase Karnataka’s art, culture, literature and traditional heritage.

Speaking to reporters, Alvas Education Foundation President Dr. M. Mohan Alva said the events have been planned with several special programmes and new attractions this year.

The main theme of Alvas Nudisiri will be “Kannada Mind: Dreams of the Future”, with a special focus on the younger generation. Dr. Narahalli Balasubrahmanya will preside over the Nudisiri conference, while senior journalist Vishweshwar Bhat will inaugurate the event.

The five major programmes will be inaugurated on the morning of January 6. Following the inauguration, the Alvas Virasat Awards will be presented to two achievers who have made significant contributions to the classical and folk arts.

Cultural programmes will be held every evening from 6 pm to 10 pm, offering performances from various artistic traditions.

A Green Dialogue will also be held on January 6 and 7. Other activities include a clean village competition, an environmental awareness reels competition, student programmes and various public awareness initiatives.

READ MORE:Namma Kudla Director Leelaksha Karkera Honoured with Kambala Academy Award

The organisers said agriculture, science, food, book and art fairs will be among the major attractions of the Alvas Nudisiri and Virasat celebrations.

Virasat Secretary Venugopal Shetty and Executive Committee Member Prasad Shetty were present at the press conference.

Mangaluru: The Kambala Academy Awards-2026 ceremony was held in Moodbidri on Thursday to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to Kambala.

The awards were presented by the Kambala Conservation, Management and Training Academy, which covers Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasaragod districts. The ceremony was held at the Koti Chennaya Jodukare Kambala Stadium in Ontikatte during the Sub-Junior category practical Kambala organised for the academy’s seventh-year trainees.

Namma Kudla channel Director Leelaksha B. Karkera, senior Kambala runner Ashok Kumar Jain of Hosmaru Eedu Padyaramane, and buffalo owner Bommarabettu Yuva Bandhaver received the Kambala Academy Awards-2026.

The awardees were honoured by placing traditional headgear on them and presenting them with shawls, garlands, bouquets and mementoes.

Kambala Academy Coordinator Gunapala Kadamba introduced the award winners and spoke about their contributions to the sport.

Expressing his gratitude, Leelaksha Karkera appreciated Gunapala Kadamba for his continued support in strengthening the association between Namma Kudla and Kambala. He said Kadamba had always guided the channel during the coverage of Kambala events and had been a mentor in promoting the sport.

Ashok Kumar Jain also thanked the academy for the honour. He said he had initially wanted to become a teacher but turned to Kambala after he could not find a job. Coming from an agricultural family, he developed a strong interest in the traditional sport.

READ MORE:Permude St John the Baptist Church Celebrates 60 Years

He recalled that Kambala training facilities were not available in the past. Today, the academy is providing systematic training to young people, which he described as a positive development. He said such training could help promote fitness and contribute to building a healthy society.

Bhaskar S. Kotyan, Chandrahas, members of the Kambala Academy and Kambala enthusiasts were present at the event.

Mangaluru: St John the Baptist Church at Permude, near Bajpe, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with the renovation of the church building and the construction of a new residence for the parish priest.

The renovated church building and the new priests’ residence will be blessed and inaugurated on October 15 at 3 pm.

Speaking at a press conference, parish priest Rev. Fr. Ronald Pinto said the Permude church was established on October 15, 1965. As the church completes 60 years, the building has been renovated based on the wishes of the parishioners.

He said the renovation work and construction of the priests’ residence were completed within just 10 months with the prayers and generous contributions of the parishioners, along with God’s blessings and the grace of the patron saint.

Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha of the Diocese of Mangaluru, retired Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza and Bishop Francis Serrao of Mysuru will be the chief guests at the inauguration ceremony.

As part of the celebrations, a Harivani procession will be held from Permude town to the church on October 11 at 4 pm, said Parish Pastoral Council Vice-President Roshan Rodrigues.

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Following the inauguration of the renovated church on October 15, a public programme will be held, followed by a community lunch for all.

Parish Pastoral Council Secretary Anita D’Souza, entrepreneur Ronald Fernandes and media coordinator Roshan Tavro were also present at the press conference.