Mangalore :  Two Yakshagana artistes Kumble Sundar Rao and Surikumeri Govind Bhat were conferred with ‘Yaksha Kalanidhi award 2010’ at Town Hall on October 16, Saturday. Thenku Thittu Yakshagana (ATTY) based in New Delhi organized the event.

Honourable State Minister for Higher Education Dr VS Acharya felicitated the veteran artistes. Speaking on the occasion, he said that Yakshagana is an tradional art of Dakshina Kannada. He lauded the achievement of the artistes at giving importance to the Yakshagana with the number of episodes. The contribution made by Kumble Sundar Rao and Surikumeri Govind Bhat in the field of Yakshagana is remarkable, he added.

The award comprised of Rs 12,000 in cash, citation, memento, fruit bowl, and a shawl.
Folk scholar Purushottam Bilimale delivered a lecture on ‘Maukika Abhivyakthiya Mahanayakaru’.
Vidya Kolyur, SK Bhat, Ramachandra Baikampady and others were present on the occasion.