Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Aug 18: Dr H Shantaram, noted theatre personality from Manipal, Bailoor Balachandra Rao, who has been active in theatre circles in Mumbai, and K Channappa, a well-known organizer of theatre activities from Bellary, have been chosen by Karnataka Nataka Academy for lifetime achievement awards.

The Academy, which has completed 50 years of its existence, proposes to honour 50 theatre activists on the occasion. In addition to the above three, 47 theatre personalities will receive ‘Suvarna Ranga Sadhaka Award (Theatre Achiever Award)’ on this occasion.

This was announced by Academy president, Dr B V Rajaram, at a press conference convened here on Wednesday August 17.  “All the 50 awardees will receive Rs 5,000 in cash, a miniature statue of Nataraja, and a shawl. The state government has released a special grant of Rs 20 lac for the golden jubilee celebrations of the Academy,” he explained.  He added that 50 works will be published on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the academy. “We have been releasing books containing details of theatre activities relating to different districts. One of them relating to Shimoga district will be released on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebrations being held on August 20,” he said.

Diwakar Hegde from Sirsi, B Ganesh Karant from Byndoor, and Murthy Deraje from Dakshina Kannada district find themselves in the list of persons to be felicitated on the occasion.