Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Feb 6: “Karnataka Nataka Academy awards for 2018-19 will be presented at Town hall here on Feb 12 at 4.30 pm,” said academy president J Lokesh.
Speaking to news reporters on Wednesday, February 6, he said that author Baragooru Ramachandrappa will inaugurate the programme. Film director ‘M S Sathyu will present the awards. Former director of the department of Kannada and Culture, N R Vishukumar will preside over the programme,” he said.
“P Gangadhar Swamy is selected for Academy award. Rs 50,000 will be presented to him. Rajappa Kiragooru, Basappa Sharanappa Madari, Hulivana Gangadharayya, Hanumantappa Bagalkote, Anjinappa, Savithri Narayanappa Gowdara, Jakavulla Gandasi, Khajesab Nabisaba Jangi, Maim Ramesh, Kenchegowda, Prabhaker Kalyani, Chindodi L Chandradhara, D M Rajkumar, D L Nanjundaswamy, Ishwar Dala, Mohan Marnadu, Usha Bhandary, Prabhaker Joshi, S Anjinamma, Dr K Y Narayanaswamy, Jagadish Kenganal, Ugama Srinivas, Vijayananda Karadigudda, Makaboola Hunasikatte and M Ravi are selected for annual awards. The award consists of Rs 25,000 cash,” he said.
“Mrathyunjayaswamy Hiremath, Nikolas, Malavada and Na Li Nagaraj are selected for different charity funds awards. Rs 5,000 cash and certificates will be presented to each of them,” he said.
“Book ‘Udupi Zilla Ranga Mahiti’ by Padma Kodagu, ‘Avibhajitha Dharwad zilla rangamahiti’ by Basavaraja Bengeri and ‘Rahimanavva Kalmani’ by Ganesh Ameenagada’ will be released on the occasion,” he said.
“Sahitya Academy which is made up of those who write in air conditioned rooms gets annual grant of Rs one crore while Nataka Academy which consists of artistes who work day and night going around villages too are paid an annual grant of Rs one crore,” said Lokesh expressing his dissatisfaction.
“Rs 35 lac out of Rs one crore is spent on the salary of staff. Is it possible to conduct drama activities within the remaining Rs 65 lacs?” he asked. “The government should increase the grant,” he urged.
“A rule that an action plan should be submitted before release of grant is implemented. There was no benefit even after submitting action plans during the last two years. Author Baragoor Ramachandrappa had submitted a report to the government requesting for autonomy to Natak academy, but the government has not taken any action about it,” he said.
“Instead of appointing eligible candidates, ineligible people are being appointed in the academy. It appears that the academy is losing its meaning when we look at it,” he said in disgust.
“Instead of constructing district auditoriums spending crores with seating capacity for 1000 people, it would be better to construct auditoriums for taluks with 200 seats,” he opined.
Academy member Basuma Kodagu was present in the news conference.