Mangaluru: Prof Sumiyo Morijiri, who is a Japanese scholar and retired professor of Waseca University in Japan, studied Yakshagana and Bhootharadhane of the coast and authored a book on the same in Japanese language will be felicitated on behalf of the Kala Gangotri Yakshagana Kendra of Uchila at a function to be held at Don Bosco Hall on July 7th.

The professor has set up a museum of Thenkutittu Yakshagana replicas in Japan’s Waseda University is also the director of Waseda Natakada Mane.

In 1994, he joined the Kannada University at Hampi as a Visiting Professor and in 1996 he joined Mangaluru University to make in-depth study of the folk art and culture of the coast.

Prof Sumiyo Morijiri will be felicitated at a function on July 7th and the programme will be attended by Prof B V Viveka Rai, retired vice chancellor of Hampi University, K Chinnappa Gowda, retired VC of Haveri Folk University and Prof Purushottam Bilimale, President of Chair in Kannada at JNU.

A Badagutittu Yakshagana `Vali Moksha’ will be performed after the felicitation programme.