By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)
 
Mumbai, Jun 22: “Late Shedde Krishna Malli popularly known as ‘Kittanna Malli’ had enriched Tulunadu culture through Yakshagana shows.  Although he is no more, he lives forever in the memory of Yakshagana enthusiasts.  He became a renowned personality without any scholastic attributes and instead developed these virtues on his own.  His method of explaining the mythological scriptures in Tulu at various Yakshagana performances is really great indeed”, said Dr M Prabhakar Joshi, eminent critic, writer, and researcher.
 
Dr Joshi was speaking at a memorial function for late Shedde Krishna Malli held as part of the second anniversary celebrations of ‘Premaprabha’, Kannada monthly, at Karnataka Sangh auditorium here on Saturday June 20.
 

“In the globalization era, media has taken a different stance owing to a few journalists who have disregarded professional ethics thereby disgracing their organization and over the years, it has developed as a commercial enterprise.  Moreover, it’s a tragedy that culture that has been a part of generations for ages has been commercialized in media”, he lamented.

Dr Joshi called on all Kannadigas settled in the metro to live as Maharastrians quoting the  popular proverb ‘While in Rome, do as the Romans do’.
 
Vidwan Vishwanath Bhat Kairabettu, in his chief guest’s address, said that Malli had left his legacy of Yakshagana for all to cherish.  He added that his total devotion to Yakshagana and simplicity in life contributed to Malli’s fame.
 
Money Fold Co-operative Credit Society chairman Suresh Bhandary, Sanatana Vedike president Surendra Kumar S Hegde, hotelier Radhakrishna Shetty, Hotel Federation of Maharastra president K Jagannath Shetty, Karnataka Sangh vice-president Bharat Kumar Polipu, Dahisar social activist Suguna K Kamat, veteran Yakshagan Bhagavat K K Shetty, Bhaskar Shetty Kalyan, Suresh Shetty Thane, and organizing committee president D G Bolar were present on the dais. 
 
Kumar M Shetty of Gayatri Parivar Dahisar also delivered a tribute to Malli.
 
Organizing committee secretary G T Acharya welcomed the gathering.  Publisher of ‘Premaprabha’ Naveen K Hegde delivered the introductory address.  Asha Samani sang the prayer hymn.  ‘Premaprabha’ editor S Surendra Malli proposed the vote of thanks.  Ashok Pakkala compered the programme.
 
‘Kurukshetrakkondu Ayoga’, an experimental Yakshagana play was staged by ‘Sanskara Bharati’, Mangalore, directed by Kadri Navaneet Shetty, with script by Bhagavat, writer, and intellectual Deraje Sitaramayya, as part of the entertainment programme.