Kannada Rajyotsava Celebrations at Alliance University – 2025

Alliance University observed the 70th Kannada Rajyotsava with a series of cultural and literary activities organised jointly by the Kannada Language Centre, Kannada Sangha, the Department of Language and Literature, and the Department of Student Support Services. The celebrations aimed to recognise the richness of Karnataka’s cultural heritage and encourage participation from students and staff across the University.

Week-long Cultural Activities

In the week leading up to the main celebration, from 27 October to 1 November 2025, numerous competitions were organised for students and staff. These events included extempore speaking, elocution, essay writing, poetry writing, dance, singing, rangoli, traditional attire, dialogue delivery for non-Kannada speakers, and other cultural activities. The competitions were designed to highlight hidden talent within the University community and promote a deeper appreciation of the Kannada language and its literary traditions.

Flag Hoisting Ceremony

The Kannada Rajyotsava Day celebration commenced on 3 November 2025 with a flag hoisting ceremony held at the Alfresco area. The University’s founding member, Mrs Shaila G. Chebbi, hoisted the flag after offering floral tribute to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. The Kannada Naadageethe was presented on this occasion, marking a respectful beginning to the day. As part of the National Awareness Week guidelines, staff members also took an oath to reaffirm their commitment to civic responsibility.

Main Celebration and Guest Addresses

The formal celebration was held later in the afternoon. Dr L. Hanumanthaiah, noted Kannada writer and former Member of Parliament, attended as the Chief Guest. In his address, he spoke about the significance of expressing emotions in one’s mother tongue and emphasised the importance of preserving Kannada by encouraging its wider use. He also highlighted the value of teaching Kannada to non-Kannada speakers and reflected on Karnataka’s long-standing artistic traditions.

Senior Professor of Law, Dr B. S. Reddy, also addressed the gathering. He noted the need for developing suitable Kannada legal dictionaries to support the use of the language in legal settings. The University Librarian, Dr Prakash I. N., was present for the event.

Cultural Performances

The celebration featured traditional performances that showcased Karnataka’s rich artistic heritage. The Yakshasambhrama troupe, led by Shankar Balkudru, presented a Yakshagana performance, while Dollu Chandru and his team performed Dollu Kunitha and Hulivesha. These performances brought together both classical and folk art forms, creating an engaging experience for the audience. Students also presented cultural programmes as part of the event.

Acknowledgements and Awards

Assistant Professor of Kannada, Dr Vivekananda Sajjan, delivered the introductory speech, explaining the significance of Kannada Rajyotsava and outlining the evolution of Kannada literature. The event was attended by several members of the University, including coordinators Dr Mithun Hanumesh and Prof Asha Rani N. R., department heads, faculty, staff, and students.

Awards were presented to the winners of the various competitions held during the week-long celebration. The programme was anchored by students Moulya and Yashas. The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Prof Kasaniya Naik. The combination of literary reflections and cultural activities created a meaningful celebration of Kannada Rajyotsava on the University campus.