Udupi:  The Kadengodlu Shanker Bhat Poetry Award was presented to MS Rudreshwara Swamy of Bangalore at a function held on November 17, Saturday. He bagged the Award for his collection of poetry ‘Aa Theerada Moha.’

Noted lexiconist Prof. Venkatasubbaiah presented the award to Swamy at a function held under the joint aegis of Manipal academy of general education, Rastrakavi Govind Pai Research Centre and by MGM College Udupi.

Sri  Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt,  blessed the occasion.

In his address, Venkatasubbaiah brushed aside complaints that Kannada language was on the decline and questioned how it can be so when  six crore people speak the language.Erya Laxminarayana Alva, senior writer, P Venkataramana Gowda, Principal of MGM College, HS Ballal, Vice Chancellor of Manipal University, Dr HP Shantharam,  and others were present.