Mangaluru : The Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy presented its annual honorary and book awards at a function here on Saturday.

Yakshagana playwright N. Narayana Shetty Shimanthur, Daiva Nalike expert Sesappa Pambada, and Tulu writer H. Shakuntala Bhat received the honorary award comprising a purse of ₹50,000, a citation, and a memento.

Tulunadina Janada Pradarshana Kalegalu, a research piece 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 the book award comprising a purse of ₹25,000, a citation, and a memento. Mr. Suvarna received the award in person.

Speaking on the occasion, Gurudevananda, seer of Odiyoor Mutt, said there was a need for translating more Tulu works to English and Kannada in order to strengthen Tulu literature. He said Tulu would survive only if it is spoken regularly.