Udupi: Dr Prathima Jayaprakash Acharya, Librarian at Nehru Memorial Library, Manipal University has been selected for Vishwakarma Rashtriya Ratna Award for her contribution in the fields of Education, Art, Yakshagana, cultural, religious and social service and her ability for organizing events.

The award will be presented on the occasion of first All India Vishwakarma Cultural Festival to be held at Delhi Karnataka Sangha auditorium sponsored by Kala Sankula Sansthe and Janpuri Kannada Koota. The programme will be chaired by litterateur Hebri TG Acharya.

A multi-talented personality, Dr Prathima is the daughter of Chandraiah and Jalaj from Balkattu. She is well-versed in Music, Literature, Art, Sports and Yakshagana and has shown that with hard work and dedication anything could be achieved in life. She has two degrees and a doctorate.

Dr Prathima’s greatest achievement is in the field of Yakshagana. She is an expert dancer in the field. She had participated on the field when she was in class 8 at Nittoor High School. Her first teacher was Murali Kadekar. Later, she trained under Thonse Jayanth Kumar who is well-known as Bhagavatha. She was trained in dance under Srinivasa Bhat and Art from Damodara Acharya.

After studying at Nittor and Udupi, Dr Prathima pursued a course in Library Science and Information Technology at KMC Manipal. She has the distinction of receiving two Post Graduate Degrees from Magadh University, Bihar. Magadh University also bestowed her with a Doctorate in Philosophy for her essay titled, “Impact of work environment on performance productivity and health of the workforce working in the jewelry industry in Karnataka.” Her thought-provoking and literary articles have been published in various newspapers.

Dr Prathima has performed well in the popular art of Coastal Karnataka, Yakshagana since her childhood. She has adored the role Meenakshi in Meenakshi Kalyana, Shwethakumar in Shwethakumar Charithre, Bhishma in Bhismothpathi, Ganapathi in Ganapthi Vijaya, Kamsa and Vrishaketha. She received several awards for participating in Yakshagana.

Apart from studies, she is also a sportsperson. She participated in a national-level Volleyball event and received accolades. She also sings in orchestras and is popularly known Salma Agha of South India. She also participated at a national-level NSS event and has completed senior grade in art. She worked at Manipal Institute of Jewelry Management during her research period.

Dr Prathima received honours such as ‘Prathima Prathibha’ and ‘Namana Bollilu.’ She has also motivated her two children to learn Art and other fields. Her husband Jayaprakash Acharya is the motivating force behind her success.