Yakshagana Kalaranga of Udupi presented its annual Yakshagana Kalaranga Award to Venkatarama Bhat of Sullia, G.K. Hegde of Honnavar and Kote Rama Bhat of Karkala at an event in Udupi on Saturday.The award, comprising a cash prize of ₹20,000, was presented in memory of D.B. Venkatasubba Jois, Matti Muralidhara Rao and Perla Krishna Bhat.T. Shyama Bhat, member of the Karnataka Human Rights Commission, who presided over the event, said Yakshagana Kalaranga was doing immense work in the social and cultural spheres. He said the Kalaranga was a fine example of what a team of capable leaders and dedicated workers could achieve and urged it to institute two awards in memory of senior Yakshagana artistes Sheni Gopalakrishna Bhat and K. Govinda Bhat.Senior scholar Taltaje Vasanthakumar, Kalaranga president M. Gangadhar Rao and secretary Murali Kadekar also spoke.Artistes presented the Talamaddale, Sriranga Tulabhara, on the occasion. Published - July 12, 2026 07:09 pm IST