Mangaluru : Yakshagana playwright N. Narayana Shetty Shimanthur, Daiva Nalike expert Sesappa Pambada and Tulu writer H. Shakuntala Bhat have been chosen for the honorary awards 2017 of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy.

Tulunadina Janada Pradarshana Kalegalu, a research work authored by Palthadi Ramakrishna Achar, Padeppire, a collection of poems by Roopakala Alva and Gaggara, a collection of stories by Shimanthur Chandrahasa Suvarna were selected for Academy’s Book Awards 2017, said Academy Chairman A.C. Bhandary.

While the honorary awards carry ₹50,000 purse, citation and memento, book awards comprise ₹25,000 purse, citation and memento. The awards will be presented on April 7 at Siri Chavadi of Tulu Bhavana in the city.

Narayana Shetty, 84, was awarded Ph.D. for his Yakshagana Chandobudhi work by Hampi Kannada University. He has brought out many Tulu Yakshagana plays, including Sorkuda Siriginde, Rajamudrika etc.

Mr. Sesappa Pambada, 74, from Manjanadi took in to Daiva Nalike along with his father and began independently handling the profession since he was 16.

Shakuntala Bhat, 67, a resident of Haelyangadi, has been in the literary field for over four decades. She has made remarkable contributions in the fields of stories, novels and poems besides children literature.