Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Nov 7: “Yakshagana has its own respect and prestige. But Yakshagana is collapsing now as it has become a business. Some temples have five Yakshagana melas which is not right. A temple should have only one mela as it is good for art also,” said MLA B M Sukumar Shetty. He was speaking after inaugurating programme of Partisubba award for 2019, Yakshasiri annual award and award for books held in Kollur Mookambika temple.

Yakshagana academy president M A Hegde presided. Temple managing committee member Dr Atul Kumar Shetty, temple priest Narasimha Bhat, Kannada and culture department assistant director Kumarbabu Bekkeri, Beary academy’s R Poornima were present.

Keshava Shettigar was presented Parthisubba award for 2019. Dr Ramakrishna Gundi was presented Gaurava award, wife of Nallur Janardhan Achar on his behalf, Argodu Mohandas Shenoy, Mohammed Gause, Muroor Ramachandra Hedge, M N Hegde Halavalli, Harady Sarvotham Ganiga were presented Yakshasiri awards.

Yakshagana artiste Suresh Shetty sang a prayer song. Sushma Swathi sang Keerthane, Karnataka Yakshagana Academy registrar, N H Shivarudrappa welcomed the gathering and gave an introduction. Karnataka Yakshagana Academy member, convener K M Shekar compered the programme and rendered the vote of thanks. Hattiangadi mela performed ‘Bheeshma Vijaya’ yakshagana play at the end.