Mangaluru : Alike Ramayya Rai Memorial Trust has selected two ailing Yakshagana artistes for the “Alike Yaksha Sahaya Nidhi” (financial assistance) for 2015-16.

The artistes selected are Siddakatte Vishwanatha Shetty and Bellare Vishwanatha Rai. They will be presented with Rs. 10,000 in cash each at their homes on May 5.

Mr. Shetty (59) has participated in several Yakshagana melas for over 35 years. He has performed in melas like Kateel, Karnataka, Kadri, Saligrama, Mangaladevi and Hiriyadkka. He has written about 12 Yakshagana prasangas in both Tulu and Kannada. Mr. Rai (65) has participated in melas for about 34 years. He is known for donning both the stree (woman) and purusha (men) roles. The trust has been named after late Alike Ramayya Rai, a well known Yakshagana artiste.