Mangalore: A CD book was published here at the Town Hall on Saturday relating to reminiscences of Keremane Shambhu Hegde, the great Yakshagana artiste who was also the first President of the Yaksha Academy of the state.

Rich tributes to his memory were paid by Pradeep Kalkura, Harikrishna Punarooru (former President of state KSP), Dr. C. Anandaram Upadhyaya, Seetharam Shahstri and Ratnakar Jain.
Flowers were offered and Hegde’s work was reviewed in the welcome address by Janardhana Hande, an associate.

Kollur Narasimha Bhat and Nebbur Narayana Bhagwat were honoured for their illustrious services to the folk art for years.
Tributes were paid to them by S.M Hegde, Sagara Yogish G. Bhat and others. Kumari Shalmalee Ghate of Mangalore gave a Bharatanatya performance on the occasion. A Tala Maddale show was also arranged.

Speaking on this occasion, H K Punarooru recalled how intense was the dedication of Keramane Shambhu Hegde amidst ups and downs of life and how Hegde mastered the art and toured foreign countries to create an awareness of Indian rural folkart among discerning audience in major cities of India and the foreign countries he toured with his troupe. He left a mark wherever he went and people wanted him to play his various roles again in colourful costumes.

The programme was assisted by Corporation Bank, Karnataka Bank and Kalkura Foundation and Hegde’s circle of admirers