Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Dec 26: Veteran scholar, Yakshagana artiste and researcher Dr M Prabhaker Joshi has received Kalhana Nirpaje award of Kannada from Nirpaje Bhima Bhatta Abhimani Balaga Bantwal and Kannada Sahitya Parishat Bantwal taluk. The award was presented in a programme held in Jyanajyothi auditorium of B C Road education office on Friday evening.

Dr Joshi said that late Nirpaje has followed noble ideals throughout his life. The award received after his name has sentimental value, he said.

Former minister B Ramanath Rai who lit the traditional lamp and inaugurated the programme said that the life of late Nirpaje who understood the hardships of the poor and responded to them was an example to others.

Former president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat Harikrishna Punaroor presided over the programme. Veteran Yakshagana artiste Jabbar Namo Sampaje Spoke congratulating Dr Joshi.

Guests of honour, Kuvempu Bhasha Bharati foundation president Professor Ajakkala Girish Bhat, artiste Ujire Ashok Bhat, taluk panchayat vice president B M Abbas Ali, Nirpaje Bheema Bhat’s wife Shankari B Bhat were present. Veteran poet Subraya Bhat Nekkarekaleya remembered Nirpaje. The book by M Gopalakrishna Bhat titled Swagatha and other articles, the Havikannada translation of Pashchatapa book by late Mulia Thimmappaya and collection of stories and poems by Reshma Bhat were released.

Nirpaje Bheema Bhat, Abhimani Balaga president Sudarshan Jain, Kannada Sahitya Parishat taluk president K Mohan Rao and V S Bhat were present. Dr Nagaveni Manchi and Ramananda Noojippadi compered the programme.