Mangalore: Ace Bharathanatyam teacher and Dancer, Ullal Mohan Kumar Guruji was felicitated by his disciples who had learnt classical dancing at his feet, at the Town hall on Friday evening, for winning the prestigious award named after Maharani Shanthala Devi on Dec.13 here when hundreds of peoples and dancers who knew him came together in one place to offer their tributes to the living legend of  Bharathanatyam on the coastal belt.

Health and Family Welfare Minister, U T Khader from Ullal was the chief guest on the occasion presided over by former vice chancellor of Manipal University, Dr. B.M Hegde. Chandrashekhar Shetty of Sanathana Natyalaya of Mangalore welcomed the heart loving gathering.

Speaking on the occasion, Khader stated that he was proud when a son of Ullal and a Guru of Dance was being honored for his services in cultivating an ancient dance form and keeping it alive for future generations through his purples Khader was Happy when Mohan Kumar came on the stage to dance on many earlier occasions. But today the Guru was being honored, like Kelu Charana Mahapatra of Orissa. Khader added that Ullal Guru had achieved allot by teaching his art to the young stars who came to him for several years.

Ullal mohan Kumar was there after duly honored by those on the dais. Replying to the felicitations the aged Guru told the dance-lovers that Bharathanatyam being an ancient dance form of India and watered by great institutions in Chennai and Bangalore or Mangalore, needed to be protected in its essence by those who practice this Indian art, which is known all over the world. It is strict rules and parameters. Need to be followed while playing it to the galleries of art lovers who often pay for it. Modification if any had to be within the permitted areas of the classical dance promoted by a Rishi like Bharatha in whose name the dance is shown on the stage.

Teacher Ravindranath Shetty conducted the program while Shridhar Holla of Bharathanjali Accademy of Kottara thanked the gathering. Prof. M R Krishnamurthy Kalakshithi of Bangalore, Kumble Sundar Rao, a yakshagana legend, MLC Captain Ganesh Karnik, Hari Krishna Punarur, Ullal Premnath, Muralidhar Rao and K. Vishwanath Rai among others attended the memorable function at the town hall.