Udupi: Gopalakrishna Pai will be given literature award

By Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 11 August 2011: Literature award for the chosen Kannada literature at the state level has been initiated in the name of Dr. H. Shantharam, Administrative Officer of Manipal Academy of General Education. This time the novel “Sapna” written by Gopalakrishna Pai has been chosen for Dr. H. Shantharam award. Coordinator of award committee Dr. Rekha V. Bannadi briefed on the award in a press conference on Wednesday.

 

                                                                               Dr. H. Shantharam

 Dr. Shantharam and his well-wishers have established a fund of rupees 2 lakhs, its interest rupees 15 thousands and silver trophy will be given to the awardee. There were 75 novels received this time and the best novel was chosen by the committee comprising of; Popular critic Keshava Sharma, Mangalore University Lecturer Dr. Shivarama Shetty and Senior Journalist A. Eshwarayya, said Dr. Rekha in the press conference.
 
The awarding ceremony will be held on 13th August in Bandarkar’s College Kundapura. Dr. Shantharam himself will be giving away the award. Eshwarayya and Dr. Shivarama Shetty will be speaking on the novel “Sapna”. In the press conference Dr. H. Shantharam, writer Dr. Vasantha Bannadi, Bandarkar’s College Principal Prof. Chandrashekara Duma, College Old Students Association President Rajesh K.C. were present.
 
Dr. H. Shantharam, though he is not a writer he has lot of interest in literature. He says that, reading gives him happiness and purchases novels through Manipal Academy and issues to various colleges of the Academy. He was born in Hatthiyangadi, grown up in city, educated in Bangalore, did his PHD in London and worked in Manipal Academy.
 
Perhaps nowhere in the country there is theatre training in colleges except in Bandarkar’s college and the honour of starting this in this college goes to Dr. Shantharam. He was the President of Udupi Rangabhumi for 22 years which is popular in the state, also acted and directed in the drama.

 

 

                                                                                Gopalakrishna Pai
 
Gopalakrishna Pai has already received many awards for his novel Sapna. He was born in Perla of Kasargod, studied college in Puttur, worked in Canara Bank and now retired. “Thiruvu”, “E berala guruthu”, “Haruva hakkina goodina dari” and “Vichnnaru” novel, “Gudugudu Gommataraya” drama were written by him. He wrote the story for the movie “Kanasembo Kudureyeri” directed by Girish Kasaravalli, and won national award for this. Recently he has written lyrics to the movies; ‘Bettada Jeeva’ directed by Sheshadri and ‘Uzwad’ Konkani movie directed by Kasargod Chinna.