Sunil Haleangady
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore

Mangalore, Dec 3: “The coastal region is known as the birth place of culture in the state. A wide range of talent with relation to culture along with linguistic skills can be found abundantly in these regions. The coastal regions are well-known for their rich and cultural heritage across the country,” said renowned Kannada cine actor Tennis Krishna.

“I can understand Tulu, but find it a little difficult to reply,” he said speaking in Tulu. “I am connected to Mangalore as my wife is a Mangalorean. I have acted in nearly 450 Kannada movies. Tulu movies and Yakshagana are my favorites. Tulu movies must reach higher levels. I would also like to act in a Tulu movie, but will not charge any fee,” he added.

He was speaking at the anniversary programme of Mailottu Athikaraibettu School Old Students’ Association in Mulky. The programme was inaugurated by Vinu Vishwanath Shetty, a Moodbidri-based businessman.

Talented Yaksha poet Ganesh Kolakady was honoured with the title of ‘Yaksha Kala Tapaswi’ along with Rs 1 lac. The honors were handed over to his mother Padmavathi Poojarthy. Rajyotsava award winner Paiyottu Sadashiva Salian, retired soldier Shashidar Shetty, religious thinker Guttinar Jayaram Shetty, Yakshagana artist Sukumar Shetty, and social serviceman Giridhar Kamath Kedubari were also honored.

Kannada film actress Rashmi, Bangalore journalist Rupesh Kalmadi, Dinesh Amin Kundapur, Pune Tulukoota president Miyaar Rajkumar Shetty, Kilmady gram panchayat president Sharadha Vasanth, Mulky panchayat vice-president Yogish Kotian, Shimanthoor Mohan Kotian, Dhananjay, Gangadhar Shetty, Kuriya Ganapathy Shastri, Dr N Narayan Shetty, Old Students’ Association president Kishore Shetty DeppuniGutthu, working president Uttam Kumar, Vadiraj Kallooraya, Manohar Kotian, and others were present.

As a part of the cultural events, ‘Ranig Kaikor Mani’, a  Tulu play by Seetharam Kumar Kateel and ‘Nank Maaterla Bodu’, a Tulu drama by Lakumi Team, Mangalore, was organized.