News & Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD/SB)

Udupi, Oct 6: Dr Basavaraja Mala Shetty, well known Kannada folklore scholar and stage director has been chosen to confer Ku Shi Janapad Award for 2010 – 11. The award will be conferred on Dr Basavaraja in November, stated Ku Shi Janapad Award committee director Krishna Bhat in a press release issued by district Janapad Study Centre.

The award is presented annually in the name of Ku Shi Haridas Bhat that comprises Rs 5,000 cash, a citation letter and memento.

Dr Basavaraja is a native of Tegadolli village of Belgaum district. Karnatak University awarded him PhD for his thesis on Yakshagana plays in Uttar Karnataka. He served as Kannada lecturer in Vijayanagar College, Hospet and retired after putting in long service at the college.

Dr Basavaraja has done in-depth study on folklore and presented papers in both state and national symposium. He was the chairman of Sixth Kannada Sahitya Sammelan held in Belgaum district. He bagged several awards including Karnataka Janapada Academy Award, Kavyanand Award and Gulbarga University Award. He also has directed programmes in All India Radio and Doordarshan, while being author of 20 books in Kannada on folklore.