Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Aug 7: "Art should not be merely a web of skills; it must be the art of living," said Sri Gurudevananda Swamiji of Sri Gurudevadatta Samsthanam, Sri Dattanjaneya Kshetra, Odiyoor. He was delivering the benedictory address at the valedictory function of the two-day Yakshagana Sammelan organised by Ajekar Kalabhimani Balaga (Regd), Mumbai, to mark its silver jubilee on Sunday, August 4.

The Swamiji further stated, "Yakshagana is a sacred art. It begins and ends with the worship of God. Efforts are underway to declare Yakshagana, an art of worship, as the state art. Ajekar Balakrishna Shetty has laid a strong foundation for dharma and culture in the name of Ajekar by worshipping this art and spreading its greatness for the past 25 years."

The Sammelan was held at the Kalladi Vittal Shetty courtyard in the Dr N Narayana Shetty Shimanthoor Nirmatha hall and the Yakshakala stage built by Dr R K Shetty at the Bantara Bhavana in Kurla.

Dr T Shyam Bhat, chairman of the Karnataka Human Rights Commission, presided over the Sammelan. Pravin Bhoja Shetty, president of Bantara Sangha Mumbai, was the Sammelan president. Aikala Harish Shetty, president of the Federation of World Bunts' Associations; Dr R K Shetty, honorary general secretary of Bantara Sangha Mumbai; Shashidhar Shetty Innanje, joint treasurer; Girish Shetty Tellar, joint secretary; Anil Shetty Yelinje, managing director of Trikon Polymers Pvt Ltd; Subbayya Shetty Surinje, vice-president of the education and social welfare committee of Bantara Sangha Mumbai; CA Sadashiva Shetty, former honorary secretary; Dr Prabhakar Joshi, chief advisor of the committee; Prof Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli, chief convener; Uma Krishna Shetty and Latha Jayaram Shetty, former executive chairpersons of the women's wing of Bantara Sangha Mumbai; Mamata Shetty, director of Abhimata TV; Venugopal L Shetty, recipient of the Kala Gaurava award; and Balakrishna Shetty Ajekar, the main architect of the programme, were present as guests of honour.

During the event, Venugopal L Shetty Karambaru, president of Bantara Sangha Bajpe; Chitra R Shetty, executive chairperson of the women's wing of Bantara Sangha Mumbai; Shivarama Shetty Karyaanuguttu, executive chairperson of the catering and decoration committee of Bantara Sangha Mumbai, and his wife; and Vijay Shetty Karkala, president of Yaksha Kalaranga Karkala, and his wife, were honoured with the 'Kala Gaurava Rajatha Yaksharaksha' award. They were felicitated with a turban, shawl, floral bouquet, memento, and a citation.

Receiving the award, Venugopal L Shetty praised Balakrishna Shetty for his contributions as an artist, teacher, and organiser, wishing him strength to continue his service to art.

Ajekar Rajatha Yaksharaksha 2026 Awards Presented The 'Ajekar Rajatha Yaksharaksha 2026' award, given annually, was conferred upon popular Yakshagana Arthadhari Jabbar Samo Sampaje. He received a turban, shawl, floral bouquet, memento, citation, and a cash prize of Rs 25,000.

The 'Mathrushree Rajatha Yaksharaksha' award, instituted in memory of Balakrishna Shetty's mother, was presented to Dr Dinesh Shetty Renjala, senior sub-editor of Udayavani Mumbai edition, and Naveen Shetty Inna Balike, artist, organiser, and president of the Kannada Welfare Society, Ghatkopar. The award included a turban, shawl, floral bouquet, memento, citation, and a cash prize of Rs 15,000 each.

Senior researcher Dr K M Raghava Nambiar and senior Yakshagana artist Keremane Shivananda Hegde were honoured with the 'Sadhaka Rajatha Yaksharaksha' award. The 'Gaurava Rajatha Yaksharaksha' award for Yakshagana organisations was presented to Sri Kshetra Kateel, Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation Trust (Regd) Mangaluru, and Yakshagana Kalaranga (Regd) Udupi. Harinarayanadasa Asranna, Patla Sathish Shetty, and Murali Kadekar received the awards on behalf of their respective organisations. Those who took on various responsibilities during the Sammelan were also felicitated.

The Ajekar Kalabhimani Balaga felicitated Dr T Shyam Bhat, Pravin Bhoja Shetty, Dr R K Shetty, Dr M Prabhakar Joshi, Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli, Deevith S K Peradi, Reshma Shetty, Baby Shetty Siddakatte, and Veda Shetty for their relentless service. Amrutha A Shetty was recognised for her role as the master of ceremonies and treasurer for the two-day event.

Ajekar Balakrishna Shetty, the founder of the Balaga, and his wife Asha B Shetty were felicitated grandly by the committee members, disciples, and guests in recognition of the organisation's successful 25-year journey.

Dr M Prabhakar Joshi delivered a comprehensive review of the two-day Sammelan, calling it one of the best he has witnessed. Amrutha A Shetty read the list of those who contributed to the event's success, and the executive committee members were honoured with shawls and mementos.

Balakrishna Shetty and his wife performed 'Pada Pooja' for the Swamiji, who blessed them. Balakrishna Shetty welcomed the gathering, and Deevith S K Peradi introduced the awardees. Prof Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli proposed eight resolutions concerning the growth of Yakshagana and the welfare of artists. Amrutha A Shetty compered the formal function, and Balakrishna Shetty proposed the vote of thanks.

The stage programme was followed by a Tenku Thittu Yakshagana performance, 'Rukmini Kalyana'.