Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (EP)
 
Kundapur, May 25: Nagarathna Herle, a teacher and a talented Yakshagana artiste residing in Giriyaru, near Kota has been selected for Karnataka Vikasa Ratna award for her achievement in Yakshagana.

The state-level award by Cultural Academy registered and Bharatharathna Sir M Vishweshwarayya Engineering foundation will be presented to her during a programme at Nayana Mandira, Bengaluru Ravindra Kalakshetra premises on Saturday, May 27.

Nagarathna is a teacher in Vishwa Vinayaka English medium school. She received encouragement from her family members and guidance from her husband Vishwanath Herle. She says that children too should develop interest in Yakshagana and taught Yakshagana to both of her children.

She was inspired by Chittani Ramachandra Hegade and likes dances of Kannimane Ganapathi Bhat and Theerthalli Gopala Achar.
 
Though she acted in limited Yakshagana episodes at the beginning, Nagarathna practiced many episodes eventually, developing confidence to  perform any role in Yakshagana.
 
Nagarathna is also the founder president of Lahari Kalaranga Moodugiliyaru, secretary of Karnataka Sahitya Parishat Hobli unit, president of Jaycerette, Keshava Shishu Mandira and Kshetra Dharmastala Grameena Yojane Giliyaru Okkoota.