Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)
 
Mumbai, Aug 16: The metro’s veteran Yakshagana artiste Appayya Maniyani of Guru Narayan Yakshagana Mandali has been chosen for the ‘Yakshagana Kala Award – 2011’ instituted by Billavar Association president Jaya C Suvarna in memory of his mother Appy Suvarna, by a committee headed by senior litterateur and organizer H B L Rao.  The conferring of the award will be held on Thursday September 1.  

Appayya Maniyani is a native of Agalpady near Kumbla in Kasargod district of Kerala.  He is the son of Narayani and Muttakka Maniyani.  He did his early studies in Annapoorneshwari School, Agalpady.  Born in a Yakshagana family, his grandfather Malinga and uncle the late Acchyut Maniyani were accomplished Yakshagana artistes. 

He learned the basics of Yakshagana from Acchyut Maniyani and began working with Durgaparameshwari Yakshagana Kala Mandali, Kateel, at the age of 14. Appayya has toured across Dakshina Kannada, Uttar Kannada, and Udupi districts, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and other cities with Karnataka Yakshagana Kala Mandali.
 
He migrated to the metro in 1981 and pursued his Yakshagana career with Guru Narayan Yakshagana Mandali that has staged several mythological episodes of Yakshagana plays across the metro.