Mangalore : Well-known Yakshagana artiste Sudhaker Thumbay was conferred the Yaksha Siri Award  at the Yakshaloka cultural meet organised by the Annapurneshwari Nagadeva Temple premises on October 19m Friday. Sudhaker is also the Convenor of Dubai Yakshamitraru and co-founder of Billawa Balaga, Dubai.

The award is given by Yakshaloka Sanskriti Sangama of BC Road. Anil S Kulkarni, Circle Inspector of Police conferred the award. In his address, Kulkarni emphasized the need to encourage Yakshagana artistes.

Pushparaj Shetty, Secretary of Annapurneshwari Nagadeva Temple administrative trust, Pushparaj Shetty,Bantwal taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat president B Thammaiyya, District Vishwa Hindu Parishad  leader  Jithendra S Kottari, Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy member Sarapadi Ashok Shetty, Veteran stage director Manju Vittal, Rathnadev Ponjal Katte, advisorof Yakshaloka welcomed, director Gopal Anchan  and others were present.

A variety of programmes  were also organised.