M'lore: State Government to Institute Award in Memory of Yakshagana Doyen Parthisubba
 
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje 
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)
 
Mangalore, Sep 7:  “The state government will institute an award in the name of Parthisubba, who is considered the father of Yakashagana, and annually 10 artistes will be honoured with the awards”, said Dr V S Acharya, state home minister, on Sunday September 6.  

He was speaking at the inaugural of the ‘Rashtriya Thenkana Yakshostava-2009’ at the Town Hall where a programme felicitating senior artistes with the ‘Yaksha Kalanidhi’ was organized by the Academy of Thenku Thittu Yakshagana (ATTY), New Delhi.   
 
“The state government which has planned to promote Yakshagana after efforts by personalities in this field has agreed to initiate the award in the name of its pioneer, Parthisubba, by providing Rs 1 lac to Kannada and Culture for this. Earlier, the government had honoured only three artistes in the field with awards but by next year 10 artists will be honoured with cash awards of Rs 10,000”, said Dr Acharya.
 
“Work on the Yakshagana Chair in Mangalore University has been started with a donation of Rs 1 crore by an entrepreneur”, he added. He also said that the documentation of works of senior artistes and the collection of original copies of Yakshagana songs and literature should be done to preserve this art for the future.
 
Senior artistes Malpe Ramadasa Samaga and Kolyur Ramachandra Rao, popularly known as the ‘Yaksha couple’ for their performances in epic roles as husband and wife, were honoured with the ‘Yaksha Kalanidhi-2009’ award. 
 
Kumble Sundara Rao, chairman, State Yakshagana Academy, inaugurated the Yakshostava. Prof K M Kaveriappa, vice-chancellor of Mangalore University, presided over the function.
 
Vidya Kolyur welcomed all and Saravu Krishna Bhat proposed the vote of thanks. Prof M L Samaga conducted the programme.