Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)
Mumbai, Sep 13: Ajekar Kalabhimani Balaga celebrated their 22nd anniversary at Bantara Bhavana, Kurla east on September 10. Mahesh S Shetty, managing director of Babas group, presided over the programme.
Vidwan S N Udupa inaugurated the programme. Bantaravani president Ravindranath M Bhandary, Bombay Bunts association president CA Surendra K Shetty, Matrabhoomi cooperative credit society secretary Pravin Bhoja Shetty, Bantara Sangha ladies wing president Uma Krishna Shetty, well known astrologer Ashok Purohit, entrepreneur Udaya Shetty Pelathoor and Dr Yogesh Kairodi were on the dais.
Mahesh Shetty released ‘Aruva’ book about Yakshagana artiste Aruva Koragappa Shetty edited by Dr M Mohan Alva. Aruva Koragappa Shetty, last year’s Rajyotsava award recipient for Yakshagana, Ashok Shetty Sarapadi and Sasihitlu Bhagavati Dashavatara Mandali convener Rajesh Gujaran were congratulated and felicitated. The dignitaries commended the service of Kalabhimani Balaga.
Ajekar Balakrishna Shetty and Asha Balakrishna Shetty awarded honorary Yaksharaksha award to former honorary chief secretary of Bantara Sangha, Mumbai, CA Sadashiva Shetty and Yaksharaksha award and Rs 50 thousand to Yakshagana artiste Shashikanth Shetty. Sampa S Shetty memorial Raksharaksha award of Rs 15 thousand was presented to Dr Thonse Vijaya Kumar Shetty and awards of Rs 10 thousand each were presented to Yakshagana artiste Muddu Anchan, Dr Meenakshi Sriyan, Karnataka Malla assistant editor Vishwanath Ameen Niddodi and Chende drummer Pravin Shetty Ekkar.
Rs 50 thousand were handed over to the children and wife of Ajekar Kalabhimani Balaga member Dinesh Shetty who passed away.
The hall programme started by praying to Ganapathi deity. Ajekar Balakrishna Shetty welcomed and gave an introduction. Ashok Pakkala read the letters of felicitations, introduced the guests and compered the programme. Karnur Mohan Rai rendered a vote of thanks. Sri Bhagavati Kshetra Mahatme Yakshagana play was performed as part of the programme.