Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Oct 7: Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, president of Dakshina Kannada district unit of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, announced that ‘Karantha Pursakara’ for this year will be awarded to Master Vithal, a veteran and highly respected dance guru, who has dedicated his life to this art form.

He said that Master Vithal, who has guided thousands of students in Bharat Natyam since the last seven decades, has been chosen for the honour, taking into consideration his contribution to the art of classical dancing, and his dedication to Bharat Natyam, which he has continued to preserve even in this advanced age.

“The honour will be extended to Master Vithal at the 110th birth anniversary programme of the late Dr Shivaram Karanth, to be held on October 10 by Sahitya Parishat in association with Kalkura Foundation. The undying spirit to continue to train more and more young dancers has kept Master Vithal going. Master Vithal has won a number of awards and honours including ‘Karnataka Kalashree’ title for the year 1998-99 instituted by Karataka Sangeetha Nritya Academy,” he explained. A function for this purpose is being held at Town Hall here on October 10. 

On this occasion, finesse and richness of Yakshagana prose will be on display at ‘Yakshagana Gana Vaibhava’ programme at 4.30 pm, followed by lion dance by Mohan Dhareshwar. The function will be inaugurated by Dr U P Upadhyaya and Dr Susheela Upachyaya at 5.30 pm, he explained. The honour will be conferred on the celebrated artiste by district in charge minister, Krishna J Palemar. Dr B Shivaram Shetty, director of Mangalore University’s Karantha Chair, will preside. Kota Rajakrishna Hande will speak on the subject of different facets of Karanth and his  ideologies.

Deputy general manager of Karnataka Bank Ltd, K G Ramesh Rao, will offer floral tributes to the portrait of Dr Karanth. Regional manager of Indian Overseas Bank, K Anil, will distribute prizes to the winners of a painting competition held in this connection. Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy president, prof M L Samaga, Beary Sahitya Academy president, Abdul Rahman, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy registrar, Chandrahas Rai, and Sureshraj, correspondent of Sarojini Madhusudhan Kushe Group of Educational Institutions, will participate in the programme as guests, Kalkura said.