Silvester D' Souza
Daijiworld Media Network—Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Mar 7: "It is a matter of joy that of the two artistic forms in the coastal region which have obtained global recognition, one of them, the art of puppetry is getting an academy and a full-fledged building. The process of stimulating the art form should continue. A fund of not less than Rs 25 lac should be created for its consolidation and programmes should be held by utilizing the interest from it. I will be initially donating Rs 5 lac for the fund," said Dr P Dayanand Pai, arts promoter and managing director, Century Builders Private Limited, Bengaluru.

Dr Pai was speaking after inaugurating the Uppinakudru Puppet Academy building and presiding over the programme on Saturdya March 7. The building belongs to Uppinakudru Devanna Padmanabha Kamath Memorial Yakshagana Gombeyata Trust, Uppinakudru, and Ganesh Yakshagana Gombeyata Mandali, Uppinakudru. This is the first academy in India to get a building of its own.

“Mangaluru University has been provided Rs 1 crore so that Yakshagana may be prominent in undivided Dakshina Kannada district which is home to several art forms. Beautiful Badagu and Thenku museums are created there. Similar work should happen here too. The service of the Kamath family which has continued the puppet show for five generations is praiseworthy. The Almighty has blessed our attempt. The building has been constructed after much struggles, and achievement. May it be a center for spreading art,” he said.

Harikrishna Punarooru, former president, Kannada Sahitya Parishad, inaugurated the programme. He said that the puppetry teams in Uppinakudru and Kasargod are discharging their cultural responsibilities satisfactorily and the building is suitable for study and research. “May the Yakshagana puppetry recognized at a global level, rise to greater heights,” he said.

Retired lecturer Dr H V Narasimha Murthy, speaking on the occasion, said that the age old dream has been envisioned for six generations uninterrupted. He added, “The Academy building has come up on a beautiful island. Interested universities should think of certificate courses with regard to puppetry. The government too should pay attention,” he said.

Senior artiste U Vaman Pai was awarded the Kogga Devanna Kamath Award on the occasion. Vittala Madhava Kamath read the letter of felicitation. Arts promoter Jayavanth Pai Kundapur, Baburaya Shenoy, Babu N Poojary Bangaluru, T N Prabhu Talluru, Professor Keshava Mayya Gujjadi, and Manjunatha Maipadi Uppinakudru were felicitated on the occasion. Talented Uppinakudru school students of seventh and tenth standard were presented prizes on the occasion. Donors Dr P Dayananda Pai and wife were also felicitated.

Internal auditor P P Mayya, Kundapur Venkataramana temple trustee U Radhakrishna Shenoy, and Mohini Dayananda Pai were present.

Bhaskar Kogga Kamath who was instrumental in the Academy welcomed and gave the keynote address. Bhagavatha Umesh Suvarna and group led the prayer. Rathnakar Pai compered the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.