Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Dec 26: “The encouragement and efforts by art lovers of creating interest about Yakshagana among children so that they may participate in Yakshagana and the art may grow is worth congratulating,” said Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation founder president Yakshagana artiste, Sathish Shetty Patlaguthu. He was speaking after presiding over the third anniversary celebrations of Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation Trust, Punjalkatte at Punjalkatte Bangle grounds on Friday evening.

“The Trust has delivered a month’s kit to 1,300 families of artistes in six taluks including Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga when their lives were in distress due to Coronavirus pandemic. Peaceful life was possible due to the cooperation from the departments of health and police during those times,” he said.

Punjalkatte police station inspector Saumya J said that Yakshadhruva Foundation which shows the light of hope to Yakshagana artistes is a model organization. “Yakshagana is a tool of communication for a cultured life,” she said.

Pilathabettu agricultural cooperative society president K Laxminarayana Udupa said that the Trust takes the initiative for social status and facilities of the artistes. “All should join hands for such pro society work,” he said.

Unit co convener, Yakshagana artiste Dinesh Shetty Kavalakatte in his introduction said that the Trust gives pep to Yakshagana artistes. “Thirty-five units are already created and service schemes worth about Rs five crores are distributed during the last four and a half years,” he said.

District panchayat member B Padmashekar Jain, M Tungappa Bangera, entrepreneur Jayarama Shetty Kaup, Pilatabettu gram panchayat PDO Rajashekar Rai, Ajjibettu temple renovation committee president Vasanth Shetty Kedage, progressive farmer Shailesh Pulimajalu, Sharadamba Yuvaka Mandala president Rohith Kumar, unit honorary president Jayanth Shetty Bhandarigudde, convener Ramesh Shetty Majalody, president Purushotham Poojary and ladies unit president Tulasi Harabe were on the dais.

Veteran Yakshagana artiste Umesh Poojary Bulakkenakodi, Punjalkatte, unit dance teacher Dinesh Shetty Kavalakatte, Deviprasad Acharya, classes in charge Baby Rekha Shetty and Annadana donors Gangayya Moolya couple were felicitated.

Teacher Udayakumar Shetty welcomed and compered the programme. P M Prabhaker introduced the felicities. Ladies wing convener Shobha Vijay rendered vote of thanks. Rathnadev Punjalkatte compered the programme.

Students and Pavanje mela artistes performed Yakshagana prior to the programme.