Mangalore : The Malpe Shankernarayana Samaga Award given in memory of the renowned Yakshagana artiste, was presented to another towering Yakshagana personality Balipa Narayana Bhagavatha at a function  held in Mangalore on August 1, Wednesday.

Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP presented the award and recollected the yeoman contributions of the two great personalities to enrich the art of Yakshagana.

ML Samaga, President of the Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy,  stressed the need for discipline in Yakshagana performance and also refinement in Yakshagana shows.

Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

The function had been organized by  the Kalkura Foundation. A traditional Yakshagana show was presented on the occasion.