Mumbai; Sri Guru Narayana Literary Award and Yakshagana Art Award presented

By Rons Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai, Mar. 23: In the present times, it is a very valuable thing to remember and a beautiful word to say. Yakshagana is an art with a comprehensive literature. Yakshagana, considered the male art of Karnataka, has been established in the city of Maya ever since the Tulu Kannadigas came to Mumbai. This is an art that is loved by everyone and such awards are helpful in nurturing and developing such art and literature. Such prestigious awards are only given to the virtuous, said Dr. Vishwanath Karnad Foundation, Mumbai, founder and retired professor Prof. Dr. Vishwanath Karnad.

 

Prof. Karnad was the chief guest at the distribution ceremony of the 21st annual ’Yakshagana Kala Prasad’ organized by the Shri Guru Narayana Sahitya Award 2024 sponsored by the former honorary editor-in-chief of Akshaya Monthly, the mouthpiece of the Billavara Association Mumbai, and the Shri Guru Narayana Yakshagana Mandali, headed by the Billavara Association Mumbai, in memory of his mother, Shri Jaya C. Suvarna.

 

The function was presided over by Billavara Association President Harish G. Avin and the chief priest of Sri Uma Maheshwari Temple, Jerimeri, Srinivas N. Udupa, lit the lamp and blessed the function. The guests presented the ’Sri Guru Narayana Sahitya Prasad’ to the famous writer of the country, Shimanthur Chandrahasa Suvarna and the ’Yakshagana Kala Prasad’ to the senior Yakshagana artist Ramachandra Salyan and felicitated and congratulated the recently elected President of the Bombay Bunts Association, D. K. Shetty.

 

Srinivas Udupa spoke with grace and said that life itself is very important and when you achieve success, life becomes meaningful. You should achieve success by worshiping God and worshiping Him with devotion like mother, father, and guru. This is the life of meaning. When it comes to association, two names come to mind: one is Narayana Guru and the other is Jaya C. Suvarna. Such programs are alive due to the memory, inspiration, and imitation of their guidance. The artists who receive awards in their names are also commendable, he said.

Billavara Association is a great organization that nurtures and cultivates art and literature. In Mumbai, everyone is equal and lives in a spirit of brotherhood, and despite belonging to different societies, they have built a life of unity. This is life according to the philosophy of Brahmashri Narayana Guru, said Harish Avin in his presidential address.

 

The guest speakers at the event were Bombay Bunts Association immediate past president CA Surendra K. Shetty, social worker Lakshmi N. Kotian, award sponsor Vinesh M. Kukyan, and the association’s vice presidents Purushottam S. Kotian, Jayanthi V. Ullal, Mohan C. Kotian, women’s division president Shakuntala K. Kotian, cultural sub-committee working president Naveen Paduinna, and secretary Naveen L. Bangera.

 

As an entertainment program, artists from the local offices of the association presented a cultural dance spectacle. Artists from the Sri Gurunarayana Yakshagana Board performed the Yakshagana ’Sri Krishnaleela Kansavadhe’. Latha A. Bangera, Secretary of the Women’s Department, compered the cultural program.

 

Girija Chandrashekhar offered the prayer. Harish G. Salyan, General Secretary of the Association, welcomed and introduced. Akshaya Monthly Editor-in-Chief Dr. Eeshwara Alevooru gave information about the awards. Akshaya Editors Harish Hejmady and S.K. Sundar and Assistant Editor Harishchandra G. Kunder introduced and congratulated the awardees. Akshaya Managing Editor Harish G. Poojary Kokkarne introduced the guests and compered the program. R. Gov. P. Treasurer Ravi S. Sanil proposed the vote of thanks.