Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar (SP)

Karwar, Jun 22: Kumble Sundar Rao, president of the state Yakshagana Academy, expressed his anger at the government's negligence to provide facilities to the state Yakshagana Academy. He was speaking after releasing "Yaksha Vanavihara' autobiography of Kadatoka Manjunath Bhagwath, at the felicitation function of Manjunath Bhagawath held at TMS Auditorium Sirsi on Saturday June 20.

"An office needs clerks, stenographers, a system and environment to provide encouragement to Yakshagana art. For me, going to that office once a month, is becoming cumbersome. Other than a board, there is no facility in the Academy office in Bangalore and I am ashamed about it. In the selection of Academy members, Uttara Kannada district has been sidelined and a few of those who secured membership of the Academy became so for considerations other than their service to Yakshagana," he added. He wanted the Academy to be strengthened, to be able to function affectively.

State primary and secondary education minister Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, who attended the programme, promised to ensure that immediate steps are taken to provide facilities to the Academy.

Sonda Swarnavalli Mutt chief Gangadharendra Saraswati Swamiji felicitated Kadatoka Manjunath Bhagwath. His wife Godavari Manjunath Bhagawath was present. Several dignitaries attended the programme.