Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SM)
 
Bangalore, Nov 14: An eminent jury has short-listed five awardees under different categories for the Essel Karnataka's Best Art and Culture Award.

One among the winners will be selected by the people of the State as their choice, through televoting.
 
B Jayashree, theatre personality and singer, has been selected under theatre category. (SMS JAYASHREE to 57575 or dial 186 2424 7575 40 from your BSNL landline).
 
TC Savitha, folk dancer, has been selected under folk dance category (SMS SAVITHA to 57575 or dial 186 2424 7575 41 from your BSNL landline).
 
Shridhar and Anuradha have been selected under Dance category (SMS SHRIDHAR to 57575 or dial 186 2424 7575 42 from your BSNL landline).
 
Shubhendra Rao, sitarist, has been selected under the Music category (SMS RAO to 57575 or dial 186 2424 7575 43 from your BSNL landline).
 
BKS Varma, painter, has been selected under the Fine Arts category (SMS VARMA to 57575 or dial 186 2424 7575 44 from your BSNL landline).
 
The jury has also decided to confer the Lifetime Achievement Award on Yanagi Balappa, a veteran in the field of theatre.
 
Dr Yanagi Balappa stepped onto the stage when he was only eight years old, with mythological and historical plays. He later began to enact female roles, which became immensely popular. He launched a drama company (Kala Vaibhava Sangha) of his own when he was only 25 years old. Through this, he worked to bring experimentation and novel techniques in the performing art, thereby adding new dimensions to the stage craft and liberating it from hackneyed old concepts. His cultural foundations converted him to social reformer through his dramas and plays. His every drama / play has a message for the common man.
 
The voting will end on Sunday November 18. The awards will be given away on Friday November 23.

"The Jury has recognized deserving nominees from different categories, both from urban and rural areas. We hope the awards will act as a catalyst in inspiring the youth," Dr M Gautham Machaiah, vice-president, Essel Group and Zee Network said.
 
The jury headed by Justice AJ Sadashiva (chairman) comprised Allen Mendonca, senior journalist and director, Raintree Media Pvt Ltd; John Devraj, sculptor / painter / musician / theatre buff, Hirrannaiah, theatre personality, Dr Mohan Alva, awardee, Essel Karnataka's Best Medical Service Award and chairman, Alva's Education Foundation, Moodbidri, Y K Muddu Krishna, former director, department of Kannada and Culture, government of Karnataka, Rashmi Hegde, choreographer and director, Shankara Foundation; Shimoga Subbanna, singer; KVR Tagore, commissioner, department of information, government of Karnataka and Tara, cine star.
 
Profile of the winners
 
B Jayashree

B Jayashree is a complete theatre person, given her felicity with acting, music and dance. With her, music, dance and drama converge expertly on the same platform. Jayashree always takes a select audience through the rigours and nuances of her art. If she rivets in the one-person shows, it is only because Jayashree is a complete performer. 

TC Savitha
 
TC Savitha's outstanding work as a woman-dancer in various folk forms like 'Pooja Kunitha', 'Dollu Kunitha' and 'Veera Gaase' that are usually showcased by men stands as a shining example of a woman trying to create a revolution in the field of folk dance.
 
Shridhar and Anuradha
 
Shridhar and Anuradha have emerged as dancers par excellence on the contemporary dance scene. A fine blend of classical rigor, emotional intensity characterizes their dance. Technical virtuosity in their dance sequences is underlined by vivid imagination. An intelligent involvement with the art and fierce dedication has placed them among the foremost dancers in the country today. Without compromising the essential aesthetics of Bharatanatyam, the Shridhars', with great dexterity, have the depth of understanding, woven into the fabric of their dance. 
 
Shubhendra Rao
 
Ace performer and composer, Shubhendra Rao is a well-known sitarist. A protégé of world-renowned maestro, Pandit Ravi Shankar, his inspired performances are reminiscent of his Guru, yet uniquely his own. Well known as a composer and enthusiastic collaborator, Shubhendra distinguishes himself by working with musicians across cultures. 
 
B K S Varma
 
BK Srinivasa inherited art from his ancestors. Inspired by Raja Ravi Varma's paintings, Srinivasa added Varma to his name considering him as his Guru. An accomplished painter, he has held solo shows in different parts of the world. He is known for his 'Jugalbandhi' where he creates a symphony of two art forms, viz poetry and painting. He has held over 3000 such shows so far.