M'lore: Karnooru Award Conferred on Yakshagana Artiste B Babu Kudthadka
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Aug 17: A programme in commemoration of renowned Yakshagana artiste the late Karnooru Koragappa Rai was held at Town Hall here on Wednesday August 17. Karnooru Award - 2011 was also presented on the occasion.
The programme was organised by Karnooru Koragappa Rai Samsmarana Samithi, Mangalore.
Senior litterateur and folk expert Erya Laxminarayana Alva inaugurated the programme. Addressing the gathering he said that Karnooru Koragappa Rai was a humble artiste who revived the essence of art by completely dedicating his life to Yakshagana. Recalling the last days of the artiste, he said even under a worsened health condition, he used to show profound interest in the art.
In his felicitation address another senior Yakshagana artiste Dr M Prabhakar Joshi said that Karnooru Koragappa Rai had the unique quality of structuring the team by way of respecting each artiste. He added that the difference that prevailed among 'Tenku' and 'Badagu' artistes was removed by Rai who had united the two styles of the art.
Presiding over the programme, Kumble Sunder Rao, president, Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy said that he had shared a brotherly relationship with Koragappa Rai, a man known for his generosity. He lauded the efforts of Karnooru Mohan Rai, son of the late Koragappa Rai in keeping the memories of his father alive.
Accepting the award B Babu Kudthadka, senior Yakshagana artiste who served in the field for more than 32 years and later built 'Kudthadka Mela' for about 10 years said that he was happy to receive the third year’s Karnooru award.
Harikrishna Punaroor, former state president of Kannada Sahithya Parishad, Mahabala Shetty Kudlu, Rajkumar, president of Kannada Sangha Bahrain, Surendra Kumar Hegde, president, Sanathana Vedike Mumbai, Balachandra Rao, president, Kannada Kala Kendra, Mumbai, Devadas Kapikad, drama and movie actor, Daya Kirodiyan, secretary, Karnataka Sangha, Dubai, Karnooru Mohan Rai, secretary of the samithi, Chidananda Naik Jeppu, manager of Empalanji, Qatar, Manohar Thonse, Bhasker Rai Kukkuvalli, Satish Venkataramana, Bairugutthu Ramesh Shetty Kaup among others were present.
On the occasion Daya Kirodian on behalf of Tulu Koota Dubai handed over a cash award of Rs 15,000 to artistes of Tulunadu Kala Samithi. Thonse Pushkalakumar compered the programme.
After the stage programme Yakshagana show 'Draupadi Vastraapaharana'. Artistes of various ‘mela’ enthralled the jam-packed audience at the Town Hall.