Mangaluru, January 14: In a press meet organised in the city on Wednesday, January 14th, Janaki Brahmavar; the president of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy has announced the Honorary and Book Awards-2013 to be conferred by the academy.
Honorary Awards will be presented to Mano Idya, Suratkal for literature, 107-year-old Gerthila Devu Poojary for folk art, and K Vishwanath Rai for Yakshagana.
Book Awards will be presented to Prashanthram Kottary for his research work ‘Attavara Deyongulu’, Jayamma Chetty Mada for her novel ‘Parabaltha Peripalel’.
The awards consist of memento and citation along with cash prize of Rs 10,000 for Honorary Awards and a cash prize of Rs 5,000, for the Book Awards.
The date and venue for the award presentation ceremony are yet to be decided, but it will be held sometime during March end or April first week this year, informed Janaki Brahmavar.
About the Awardees:
Gerthila Devu Poojary(Folk): Born in November 19,1908 Gerthila Devu Poojary is son of late Ammu Poojary and Koropoalu. He is expert in the traditional folk sport Kambala. He was also expert in toddy tapping. At the age of 3 he created record by climbing a palm tree. He served immensely in field of Kambala and Toddy tapping for more than 80 years. He secured many prizes in Kambala. Yuvavahini(R) central committee awarded him with Kambala Rathna award. In 2008 he secured Dakshina Kannada Rajyostava award. He has secured more than 50 awards.
Manu Idya(Literature): Born in November 13, 1948 Manu Idya is son of Parameshwara and Nursi. He completed his primary and high school education in Idya Vidyadaini Idya. He entered the field of theatre in 1971. He gained Late Rathnavarma Heggade memorial award for Tulu play book, organized by the Tulu Kudla Mangaluru. He has secured first prize in district level for the ‘Bali’play show organized by Mangaluru Tulu Koota. He has written more than 100 Tulu poems. He also written more than 30 stories. He also written several devotional songs in Tulu. He also secured Sandesha Tulu Sahitya Award.
K Vishwanatha Rai(Yakshagana): Born in Febraury 28,1951 K Vishwanatha Rai is son of Subbaiahai Rai and Manjake were his parents. He ruled the field of Yakshagana for more than five decades. He was efficent to handle all types of characters in the field of Yakshagana. He have given justices to the roles he played in Yakshagana. He also worked in Karnataka Yakshagana Nataka Sabha Mangaluru, Mahamai Krupa Poshitha Yakshagana Mandali Surthkal, Shri Durgaparameshwari Mela Kateelu, Bappanadu Mela, Kadri Mela Mangaluru and Shri Madduru Mela.
Prashanthram Kottary(Athavara Deyongulu): Prashanth Kottary is son of Methamugeru Raghunath Kottary and Vimala R Kottary. He obtained BE degree in computer science from Nitte Engineering College. Presently he is working for Infosys in USA. Sparing his time to the field for Folk he has written a book (Athavara Deyongulu).
