THE PRINCIPLES OF NARAYANA GURU ARE THE BEST TO FOLLOW: G.L.HEGDE

Mumbai, September 14: The Award ceremony of - 11th annual Yakshagana Kala Award-2015, which is awarded every year by Shri Narayana Guru Yakshagana Mandali of Billawara Association Mumbai, in memory of Late Acchu C Suvarna-mother of Jaya C Suvarna, was held on Saturday evening, at Sri Narayana Guru Auditorium of Billawara Bhavan Santacruz.

The programme was conducted in the presidentship of Nityananda D. Kotian – the president of the Association. Jaya C Suvarna- the President of the Rashtriya Billawara Maha Mandala- inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp. The chief guest, reputed writer G.L.Hegde-awarded the “Yakshagana Kala Prashasthi-2015” to Sitharam Kumar Kateel –who is known as Charlie Chaplin in the field of yakshagana .

The sponsor of the award Jaya Suvarna in his speech said “This yakshagana mandaly is a great plan by the noble and intellectual people and every artist and mandali has received the blessings of Sri Narayana Guru.

The senior Yakshagana organizer H.B.L Rao, in his speech said, “there is no racial or language discrimination while selecting the awardees. The talent is the main criteria to earn the award and the criteria followed reflect the principles of Narayana Guru. The artsit who study and think about yakshagana deserve this award”.

The Vice presidents of the Association Raja V.Salian, Bhaskara V. Bangera, Dr U. Dhananjaya Kumar, Chief Hon.Treasurer Mahesh C Karkala, and The Honarary Editor of the Akshaya-monthly magazine-M.B.Kukyan were present at the dais. The Yakshagana artist Prakash Paniyuru proposed best wishes to the award winner.

In his congratulatory speech Famous Yakshagana artist Prakash Paniyur said -“Sitharama Kateel is a star artist. His vision, achievement, effort are unique in the field of yakshagana. He is an iconic artist who shine the stage by his style and he gave a new concept to the comedy role. Let he be a comedy king for ever.”

“To make the human life worth, Narayana Guru’s principles are best to follow. Earlier days, I did not know much about Narayana Guru. Once I was called as a guest in the birth day celebration of Narayana guru and that time I read his book and I got the knowledge about the life and principles of Guru. From that day, my opinions have been changed and I have started to follow the principles of Guru” –…..said G.L. Hegde in his speech.

“If everyone starts to sponsor an award in rememberance of their mother or family members, not only their family name remains, social development is also possible. This is a matter of pride that Jaya c. Suvarna has been a great support for such kind of social empowerment. Their contribution to the society is immeasurable. Continuous 11 years service by Shri Narayana Guru Yakshagana Mandali is admirable.” –said Nityananda Kotian in his presidential speech.

“In my two and half decades of work I got so many awards for my performance. But this award which I received from Narayana Guru Yakshagana manadaly is special because it is a dignified and prestigious award. This is a great award of my life. I am grateful to Mandaly and office bearers who gave this award to me”-replied Sitharama Kateelu.

The cultural sub-committee executive president Dayanand R Poojary welcomed all. The Editor of the Akshaya monthly magazine Dr.Ishwara alevuru introduced the guests. The Chief Honanary Secretary of the Association Dharmapala G. Anchan gave the introductory speech. The Assistant Editor of the Akshaya monthly magazine Harish K Hejmady conducted the programme and read the award letter. The Honarary Secretary of the cultural committee Ashok K kukyan proposed the vote of thanks. The artist of Sri Narayana Guru Yakshagan Mandaly performed the yakshagana “Bheeshma Vijaya”.