Mangalore: Tulu Academy Awards for Bannanje Babu Amin, Sadashiv Salian, Dasu Bangera
 
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD/CN)
 
Mangalore, May 13: The Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy announced Bannanje Babu Amin, Sadashiv Salian, and Dasu Bangera as the recipients of its honourary awards for 2008 on Wednesday May 13.

Amin has been recognized for his contributions to Tulu literature and research while Sadashiv Salian has been given the award for Tulu play and movie with Dasu Bangera being recognized for his contribution to Tulu folklore.
 
Bannanje Babu Amin:

 
He was born on August 4, 1944, to Thoma and Daramma Poojary, residents of Bannanje, in Udupi.  He completed his SSLC in 1963 and joined Kasturba Medical College in 1963.  Amin later married Indira, daughter of Bhojappa Suvarna, in 1970 and has two children Bharati and Raghavendra. 

He left for Mumbai in search of better employment opportunities in 1974.  All through his life, he continued to contribute to Tulu literature.  His first book ‘Koti – Chennaya’ was published in 1970.  Amin has co-ordinated with veteran Tulu litterateur Mohan Kotian, in publishing a research book on Tulunadu traditional worship centers.  Although, he lost his regular job, he began working as a freelancer with ‘Karnataka Malla’, the metro-based Kannada daily and other Kannada publications.  His friends and literary enthusiasts honoured him with ‘Isiri’ memento in 2003. 
 
Several of his works were published and a few also went into second editions. Karnataka Yakshagana and Janapada Academy honoured him with an award for his research book on Tulunadu traditional worship centers.  He also bagged the ‘Ku Shi Janapad Award’, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangh, and Sandesha Tulu literary awards.  His Tulu folk book ‘Poopoddulu’ bagged the Tulu Sahitya Academy prize.
 
Sadashiv Salian: 

 
He was born on November 17 1950 to Padmanabha and Laxmi Salian, residents of Tenka Yermal, in Udupi.  He migrated to Mumbai at an early age, where he pursued initial studies and graduated from Chinmaya College, Andheri.  He was employed in Central Bank of India in Mumbai in 1989 and married Susheela. They have two children Shweta and Vijeta.
 
Along with his bank job, Salian pursued his interest in directing plays with significant contributions from veterans K K Suvarna, Sadanand Suvarna, K J Rao, Imtiaz Hussain, and others.  He has directed over 500 Tulu, Hindi, and Marati plays in the metro.  He has participated in inter-bank drama competitions along with colleagues and bagged several awards over many years. 
 
Salian got a major break in acting after he worked with Tulu dramatist and actor K N Tailor in 1980.  He acted in Tailor’s Tulu film ‘Bhagyavantedi’, Ram Shetty’s ‘Badkere Budle’ and ‘Dareda Seere’ as well as ‘Satya Olundu’ directed by Hussain and his own movie ‘Pettai Pili’ and ‘Onte Adjust Malpe’ that was lauded by movie lovers. 
 
Meanwhile, owing to a major motor cycle accident that occurred in 2004, he has been left unable to walk independently and leads a difficult life.
 
Dasu Bangera:

 
Seventy-five-year old Dasu Bangera was born at Padubidri in Udupi. He served as a priest at the traditional worship centre for over 50 years.  He is married to Indira and has five children of which two sons are lecturers in different colleges while a third son continues in his father’s footsteps at the worship center.  He has bagged several distinct awards for his extraordinary contributions to traditional worship across Udupi district.