'Government must recognise Harikatha art form'

Addressing the gathering after receiving Malpe Shankaranarayana Samaga award on Sunday at Town Hall Mangalore, he said that though Harikatha has been an ancient art and many artists have toiled for safeguarding the art, they have not been given the recognition and motivation that they deserve.

“Only when they are given motivation and monetary aid, they can keep the art alive,” he opined and said that he has already held talks with Paryaya Lakshmivaratheertha Swamiji about documenting the Haridasa keerthanas so that it can be passed on to the next generation as a legacy.

The award was given away by District-in-Charge Minister Krishna J Palemar who said that Bhadragiri Achuthadasa must receive Padmashree for his invaluable contribution to the field of art.  Litterateur Kabbinale Bharadwaj, Erya Lakshminarayana Alva, State Bank of India Assistant General Manager Chaithanya Thallur, Karnataka Bank’s  Jayaram  were present.