As campuses across Karnataka opened their gates and classrooms to students, Amrita School of Arts and Sciences at Mysuru decided to bring back the colour and flavour of campus life by celebrating Kannada Rajyotsava on November 19, 2021.

Decked in the traditional colours of red and yellow, and with the students dressed in their ethnic costumes, the campus looked vibrant and happy from the morning itself. Book stall with the best publications from Nava Karnataka Publications, a snack stall by students of Visual Communication caught the attention of staff and students since morning while the second half of the day was more vibrant with speeches by special guests, cultural programmes by students, and more stalls for snacks and fun activities.

The formal programme began post lunch with the prayer and lighting of the inaugural lamp amidst the rendering of traditional prayers and Karnataka State Anthem. The special guests of honour were Shri N G Ramesh, Asst. Professor, poet and critic from Government P U College, Haranahalli, Mysore and Smt Sunita Lokesh, Teacher at Government Higher Primary School, Kodagu and an established writer, who were visibly delighted with the arrangements and the enthusiastic turn out of students for the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Ramesh spoke at length about how one should have knowledge of the rich culture and natural resources of Karnataka and reminded everyone how the state was formed as a result of a long struggle by many personalities, many years after India attained independence. By appealing to the students to use Kannada in their daily communication in order to save and preserve the language, he ended his talk on a high note.

On the other hand, Smt Sunita Lokesh emphasized on the power of language confessing that it was her close relationship with Kannada that had brought her from Kodagu to Mysuru. A teacher who knows how to address the students well, she also appealed to the gathering that each one of them should have a dream since it would give them an aim to work for.

The formal ceremony was followed by cultural programmes filled with music, dance, skit and other fun activities added colour, laughter, cheers, and joy to the entire celebration.

The day’s celebrations were ably supported and attended by Br. Anantaananda Chaitanya, Director, Amrita Mysuru, Br. Muktidamrta Chaitanya, Correspondent, Amrita Mysuru, Dr. G Ravindranath, Principal, Dr.Rekha Bhat, Academic Co-ordinator, and students and staff of Amrita Mysuru.