Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Mar 16: Artiste, writer and poet Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli has been selected for the Aryabhata Award presented by Aryabhata Samskritika Samste, Bangalore for the year 2005-06. The award presentation ceremony will be held at Raveendra Kala Kshetra, Bangalore on April 6.

Yakshagana artiste Bhaskar Rai hails from Balyottuguttu of Irde village in Puttur and started his career in the postal department. He obtained B-high grade from Akashvani and participated in a number of Yakshagana performances on radio and television.

Through his organisation Karnataka Yakshabharati, he has been able to organise Yakshagana performances at various places like Mumbai, Kerala and New Delhi. His work Ghommamka, an imaginary plot against AIDS has been successful in creating awareness against the disease across the State from many years.

He is presently serving as a teacher at Permannur Government High School.

The award is being given in recognition of his contributions in the field of literature, culture and media.