Udupi: The Karkala Palli–Ninjur unit of Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation Trust, Mangaluru, celebrated its 7th anniversary, near Ramakrishna Sabhabhavan at Bailoor Palli on Sunday. The event was presided over by the foundation founder-president, Patla Satish Shetty. On the occasion, several personalities from the fields of education, Yakshagana and theatre were honoured in the presence of dignitaries. Those felicitated included Nagaratna MR, headmistress of Govt Higher Primary School, Palli; Ratnakara Amin, president and organiser of Sri Rama Yakshagana Kalabhimani Balaga; Pavanje Mela artist Mahalinga Nayak Nirchalu, Daiva Nartaka Uggappa Parava Kervashe; theatre artists Prajwal Bhandary Kaudoor; and Sachin Acharya of Kaudoor.The foundation also extended financial assistance to artists in need. Yakshagana artist Shashikanth Shetty of Karkala, who is undergoing treatment for illness, was given Rs 25,000 through his wife Devika. Additionally, Rs 1 lakh was provided to artist Dinesh Bangera for a medical emergency, while financial aid was also extended to another artist, Shiva.As part of the cultural programme, students of Govt Higher Primary School, Palli, who are learning Yakshagana under the Yakshadhruva Yaksha Shikshana initiative, presented the Yakshagana prasanga ‘Shyamantaka Ratna’. This was followed by a Yakshagana Bayalata performance by Pavanje Mela troupe, staging ‘Gajendra Moksha – Kamsa Vadhe – Agrapooje’, enthralling the audience.
