Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 2: “It is possible to conserve Yakshagana art and further develop it, if good artistes are groomed, and all the facilities given by the government are extended to them for encouraging them to contribute to this art form,” felt district in-charge minister, Dr V S Acharya. He was speaking after presenting honorary awards to outstanding Yakshagana artistes on Sunday May, at a function organized at Mandarti Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple premises under the aegis of Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy.

“The government has released a sum of Rs 200 crore for encouraging arts through Kannada and culture department. We have removed the obstacles that were thwarting the government from extending facilities to artistes,” he claimed.

President of Third Finance Commission Implementation Committee, A G Kodgi, released ‘Yakshopasakaru’, a book giving introduction to a number of Yakshagana artistes. President of Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy, Kumble Sunda rRao, presided.

Yakshagana stalwarts, Krishna Timmaiah Hegde Balehadda, Hallady Manjaiah Shetty, Shivaram Jogi, Puttur Sridhar Bhandary, K Leelavai Baipadittaya, and Begar Padmanabh Shettigar, Moodalapaya artiste, Siddalingaiah, Bayalata artistes, Mallikarjun Rachappa Mudakavi and K Hussain Sab, and ‘Yakshadegula Banalore’ in the segment of training and organization, were given the awards.

Udupi MLA, K Raghupati Bhat, MLC, Kota Srinivas Poojary, and trustee of Mandarti temple, H Dhananjaya Shetty were present.  Academy registrar, Padmaja Kumari N, welcomed. Srinivas Sastana proposed the vote of thanks. Murali Kadekar, secretary of the district Yakshakala Ranga, presented the programme.