Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 16: Owner of Ideal Studio and well-known photographer from the town, Kadabettu Pundalik Nayak, breathed his last on Thursday October 15 after a brief illness. He was 84.

Pundalik Nayak is survived by wife, a son, and two daughters.

Nayak, who was engaged in photography since over six decades, had collected some rare photographs belonging to pre-independence era. He had carefully preserved a number of photos captured by Narahari Kamath during the visit of Gandhiji to the town.

Nayak had clicked photos of celebration of freedom in 1947 and immersing of Gandhiji's ashes in the sea at Malpe, and many other notable events. During the visit of the then union transport minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, to Udyavar in 1955 for laying foundation for Udyavara bridge, he had clicked thousands of photographs relating to the event.

Nayak had been honoured with Rajyotsava award, 'Chaya Bheeshma' award of Giants Group, 'Chaya Spoorthi' award of Udupi Press Photographers Association, etc. He had been felicitated by former minister, M C Nanaiah, at Bengaluru on behalf of Karnataka Photographers Association. He was active in the development activities of Lord Laxmi Venkatesha temple in the town.