Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, April 15: The Billawar Association, Mumbai, is set to host its annual awards ceremony on Saturday, April 18, at Billava Bhavan in Santacruz (East), honouring distinguished contributions to literature and the traditional art of Yakshagana.

Senior journalist Srinivas Jokatte will be conferred with the Late M B Kukyan Memorial Sri Gurunarayana Literary Award 2025, while renowned Yakshagana artiste and guru Sanjeeva Suvarna has been selected for the Yakshagana Kala Award 2025, instituted in memory of Late Achchu C Suvarna, mother of Late Jaya C Suvarna.

Instituted in 2000, the Sri Gurunarayana Literary Award and, since 2005, the Yakshagana Kala Award have together recognised 45 achievers to date, underscoring the association’s continued commitment to promoting literary and cultural excellence.

The ceremony will commence at 3.30 pm under the presidency of Association president Harish G Amin. Eminent Sanskrit scholar and former principal of K J Somaiya College, Dr S K Bhavani, will grace the occasion as chief guest.

Guests of honour will include Dr R K Shetty, honorary general secretary of Bunts Sangha, Mumbai; entrepreneur Vinay M. Kukyan, sponsor of the awards; and Surya Kant Jaya Suvarna, executive chairman of Bharat Bank.

Adding a cultural touch to the evening, women members of the association will present a dance performance as part of the entertainment segment.

Harish G Saliyan, honorary general secretary of the association, has invited art lovers and literature enthusiasts to attend the programme in large numbers.