Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 16: Amateur artist, writer, art patron, and retired bank officer Bettampady Sundar Shetty has been announced as the recipient of this year's Aryabhata International Award. Born into the agricultural family of Mundoor in Nidpalli village, Puttur taluk, he hails from the renowned Karingattu family near Kumbale. He is the son of famous Yakshagana comedian Bettampady Balappa Shetty and Sharvani B Shetty.

Sundar Shetty holds a BCom degree and joined Vijaya Bank (now Bank of Baroda), serving in major cities across South and North India. Alongside his banking career, he was actively involved in promoting Kannada language and culture.

He has held positions in labor unions and officer associations and served as an office bearer in the Tulu Koota Federation and the Bangalore Bank Kannada Associations Federation. He was the president of Puttur Jaycees and has been involved with Lions Club service organizations. After retiring as Chief Manager from Vijaya Bank, he engaged in agriculture and Yakshagana. He established a foundation in his father's name, honoring senior artists and providing financial support to aspiring artists. Currently, he is the honorary president of Bettampady Sri Mahalingeshwara Yakshagana Association, vice president of Mangaluru Yakshangana, a trustee of Patta Trust, and represents Yakshagana in the Lions district cabinet. Recently, he published a travelogue titled "Putturindha Hatthurigé."

His wife, Surekha S Shetty, and their eldest son, Suraj Shetty, serve as the principal of K S Hegde Medical College in Derlakatte. Their elder daughter-in-law is a doctor. Their second son, Dheerath Shetty, works as a scientist in the USA with his wife. Sundar Shetty resides in Kadri Manjushri Layout, Mangaluru. Recognized for his social contributions, he has received numerous honors, including the Suma Saurabha Award, Chaitanya Shri Award, and Shivananada Smriti honor. His social service has now earned him the Aryabhata Award, which will be presented on June 23 at Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bengaluru.