Pics: Sunil Bekal
Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Mar 22: Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, speaking after handing over Yakshagana Academy awards to 20 chosen artistes for the year 2008 and 2009, at a function held in Dharmasthala on Sunday march 21, hailed Yakshagana to be a complete art form. He also said that he is grateful to Yakshagana art for instilling in him ideals and inspiration to lead a life of fulfillment.

He also announced that on behalf of Dharmasthala institutions, a sum of five lac rupees would be handed over to Yakshagana Academy towards drawing up programmes for popularizing Yakshagana art.

In his introductory address, Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy president, Kumble Sundar Rao, urged the government to include Yakshagana in the text books. Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, Krishna J Palemar, who released a book containing information about the award winning artistes, wished that Yakshagana will not get stranded but always remain vibrant. He asked the award winners to impart to others their experiences and suggestions for success.

Kannada, culture and information department secretary, B R Jayarama Raje Urs, announced that an annual award will be instituted in the name of Parti Subba, known as the father of Yakshagana, which will have a cash component of one lac rupees. He said that efforts are on to get Unesco recognition for this abstract art, handed down through cultural heritage.

MLC, Capt Ganesh Karnik, wished that the Academy will work as a university for Yakshgana. On behalf of the awardees, M K Ramesh Acharya conveyed gratitude to the Academy for identifying and recognizing the services of the artistes.