Three persons from Udupi district figure in this year’s Rajyotsava list announced by the State government. They are K.M. Raghava Nambiar (Yakshagana Bayalata), K.P. Rao (Science and Technology) and cartoonist P. Mahamud (Vijaya Karnataka).
Dr. Nambair, who worked as a journalist in Udayavani, is also a writer and Yakshagana artiste, besides being a scholar on Yakshagana. He did his research on Himmela of Yakshagana and got a Ph.D. from Mangalore University.
Dr. Nambiar said here on Thursday that the government should establish a university devoted exclusively to Yakshagana. “Yakshagana is a very rich art form. An in-depth study on several aspects of Yakshagana is long overdue,” he said.
“I dedicate my award to the great Yakshagana artistes of yesteryears who served the art form without any reward,” he added.
He was written on various aspects of Yakshagana including its theatre, costumes, dance, enactment and facial make-up. “Yakshagana is theatre in its fullest sense since it covers singing, dancing and oratory,” he said.
On his future plans, Dr. Nambiar said: “I am writing a book on Adde Vasu Shetty, a doyen of Yakshagana.”
New software
An innovator and software expert, K.P. Rao, was instrumental in developing weapon systems for defence at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). He invented procedures for phonetically inputting Indian language text into computers.
He also developed free Kannada software. He has several awards to his credit. Mr. Rao said that he had not done any research or work for awards.
“All awards have come by themselves. I am happy at getting this award. I dedicate my award to all my teachers,” he said.
On his future plans, Dr. Rao said: “I am developing a script independent system (software) for archival information. Here, the reader can read information in any script of his choice from the same source (on the computer).”
‘Delighted’
Mr. Mahamud, from Padubidri in Udupi district, works as a cartoonist in Vijaya Karnataka . Mr. Mahamud, a diploma holder in Electronics Engineering, said: “I am delighted at getting the award. It was the former Editor of Taranga Santosh Kumar Gulvady, who recognized my talent as cartoonist and encouraged me.”
“I dedicate my award to my family, teachers and readers,” he said.
