-Anand Kumar Barkur
In a moment of pride for Barkur, the esteemed cultural hub in Udupi district, Suresh Rao Barkur has been conferred with the prestigious Kalinga Navada Award for the year 2023. The award ceremony took place on December 25, 2023, at the Vedic platform in Ural Kere of Kundapura taluk, Udupi district.
Suresh Rao Barkur, a stalwart in the world of Yakshagana, has been actively contributing to the traditional art form for over two decades. The Kalakadamba Art Center, a renowned cultural institution in Bangalore, annually presents the Kalinga Navada Award to individuals who have significantly enriched Yakshagana through their artistic endeavors.
The event, steeped in the tradition of floral tributes, showcased the essence of the Hoovina Koalu ceremony that has been a customary practice for approximately 25 years. Suresh Rao Barkur, known for his profound involvement in various Yakshagana melas and his role as a leading performer in the prestigious Sasstana Goli Garadi Mela was the chief guest at the ceremony.
This award has been conferred to notable personalities including Gundmi Sadanand Aital, Subrahmanya Dhareeshwara, Keppe Kere Subraya Hegde, Ellare Venkataraya Nayak, Nebburu Narayana Hegde, Karki Prabhakara Bhandari, K. P. Hegde, T. Jayanth Kumar, Mandarathi Ramakrishna, Shridhar Hebbbar, Govind Ural, Shankar Bhagavat Yallapura, and Bidkere Katte Krishnayya Acharya.
The felicitation ceremony celebrated Suresh Rao Barkur's dedication to Yakshagana and his pivotal role in preserving and propagating this rich cultural heritage. The attendees conveyed their heartfelt congratulations to Suresh Rao Barkur, expressing hope for even greater success and continuous contributions to the realm of arts.
As the applause echoed through the venue, attendees wished Suresh Rao Barkur continued success and unwavering dedication to the world of Yakshagana, hoping for more milestones in his illustrious career.