Rishab celebrates roots and yakshagana at 5th Kundapura Kannada festival

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Actor and director Rishab Shetty shared that his hometown and Yakshagana are the sources of inspiration for his movie stories. Speaking at the 5th Kundapura Kannada Festival, held at Bangalore Palace Grounds on August 17 and 18, which was a vibrant celebration of Dakshina Kannada culture.

Rishab was honoured with the ‘Ura Gaurava’ award, Rishab Shetty expressed his pride in his roots. He said, “No matter where we go or what we do, it’s important to remember where we come from. I’m very proud of my hometown Kundapura and the environment that shaped me. My films are inspired by this place, and Yakshagana played a crucial role in understanding the essence of epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Even the filming of ‘Kantara’ which was done in Kundapura’s environment.”

Rishab further emphasised the importance of preserving the language and culture for future generations. He even noted, “Festivals like this are essential for making our children aware of our language and culture. It’s wonderful to see the traditional Tulasi katta used for the inauguration in these times. I also make sure to showcase local traditions like Akkimudi and Netti in my films.”

Kundapura MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi highlighted the festival’s significance for language preservation and growth. He stated, “The Kundapura Kannada Festival is an excellent initiative for the survival and development of our language. We hope that it will be used more in daily life. The festival marks the beginning of a new era for the Kundapura Kannada Study Centre, which is going to start its work in the coming festival.”

On Sunday, the Kundapura Kannada Festival featured guests such as actress Priyanka Upendra, actor-director Raj B. Shetty, Golden Star Ganesh, and producer Pramod Shetty. Notably, music director Ravi Basrur presented a musical evening, which is anticipated to be a major attraction.

Former minister K. Jayaprakash Hegde spoke at the closing ceremony of the Kundapura Kannada Festival-2024. He emphasized the need to nurture a love for our mother tongue while also respecting other languages.

He said, “The Kundapura Kannada Study Center has received funding, and a committee will soon be formed at Mangalore University. The next Kundapura Kannada Festival will see the center commence its work.”