Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR) - pic - Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Aug 6: Kuthpady Ananda Ganiga, the veteran Kannada stage virtuoso was conferred with the prestigious Vishu Kumar Memorial Award at a glittering function organized by the Yuva Vahini Kendra here on Sunday August 5.

Ananda Ganiga was presented the award by Harishkrishna Punarur, former president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP). Speaking on the occasion, Punarur lauded the efforts made by stage artistes and stated that the role of stage artistes in preserving and promoting culture has been noteworthy.

Punarur also showed his appreciation at the institution of such awards to the artistes, who in his opinion have contributed immensely to the growth of art and culture. However he cautioned that if it is not preserved at the lower level by stage artistes then it will not get any recognition at state or national levels too.

The service rendered in this field by the late Vishu Kumar and his writings also came in for special mention from Punarur who stated that Vishu Kumar had deeply influenced the youth with his modern views.

Further he even suggested to the Department of Kannada and Culture to confer more such awards to the artistes at the regional levels and exhorted them to promote and bring the literature of Vishu Kumar within the reach of the youth of today.