‘Art and morality should go hand in hand’

Converting a work of art into a marketable commodity is a sad trend lamented thespian, Gandhian and writer Prasanna on Tuesday. He spoke after accepting the Sandesha Literature Award-2019 conferred on him by Sandesha Pratishthana.

Prasanna said that the wrongly perceived relationship between art and religion could be set right with an unbiased interpretation of art forms. He said that in order to re-establish the relationship between art and morality, there was a need for artists to maintain a clean character.

Accepting the Sandesha art award, folklorist Manjamma Jogathi said that she believed in spreading the glory of Goddess Yallamma and Lord Parashurama through her songs and dances. Her teachers and patrons had played a great role in her life, she recollected.

The Sandesha Media award was conferred on Prajavani Associate Editor B M Haneef. B M Rohini was presented with the Sandesha Education award. Fr Ben Britto Prabhu was conferred with Sandesha Konkani Music award. Sneha Sadana director Fr Reji Thomas and Jeevadaan Director Sr Jancy received Sandesha Special awards on the occasion.

Bellary Diocese Bishop Fr Henry D’Souza presided over the programme. Mangaluru Bishop Fr Peter Paul Saldanha, Sandesha Pratishthana Director Nelson Prakash D’Almeida and Sandesha award jury committee chairman and writer Na D’Souza were present.