Mangalore, 31 January 2011: The former Principal of Roshni Nilaya, Olinda Pereira, and writer M. Janaki Brahmavara were given Abbakka awards on the concluding day of the two-day Veerarani Abbakka Utsava at the Assaigoli grounds near Mangalore on Sunday.
While 85-year-old Ms. Pereira was conferred with the award in recognition of her service to the elderly, Ms. Brahmavara was given in recognition for her Tulu literary works.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah presented the awards.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said the valour of Rani Abbakka should be included in the textbooks.
The festival organised in her name should be on the same scale as the Hampi Utsav, he said.
A large number of people witnessed the unique programme “Kavi Kavya Darshana”.
While poets recited poems, which was sung by Tonse Pushkala Kumar and his troupe, Jyotsna and her group danced and John Chandran, an Art teacher in St. Aloysius College, drew it on the canvas.
As many as 13 poets recited their poems in Kannada and Tulu.
Unlike the inauguration, on the concluding day many elected representatives were present.
Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Moodbidri MLA Abhayachandra Jain and Mangalore MLA U.T. Khader participated in the function.