Mangalore, Oct 9: Devadas Kapikad and his troupe “Cha Parka Kalvider Kudla” celebrated the 25th anniversary of theatrical success at Town Hall on Oct 9, Saturday. Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Chairman of Alva’s Education Foundation Dr. Mohan Alva lauded Devadas Kapikad for his great achievements in the field of Tulu drama.
Speaking about the beauty of Tulu language and culture, Dr. Alva said that a Tulu medium existed in DK even before the introduction of Kannada and English mediums and added that nobody has expressed the beauty of Tulu as wonderfully or as successfully as Kapikad. The popularity of Tulu drama is illustrated by the fact that people of all castes and religions enjoy it till late at night and prefer Tulu to their own mother tongue, he added. He also expressed his joy over the fact that Tulu has been included in the 8th schedule of the Indian constitution thanks to the cooperation of the present state government. Dr. Alva also released “Bolli,” a souvenir about the achievements of the Cha Parka team.
Mayor Rajani Dugganna and Dr. Mohan Alva felicitated Devadas Kapikad and his wife Sharmila Kapikad with peta, shawl, and memento. Naresh Kumar Sasihithlu read the citation. Theatre artists such as Mahesh Shaktinagar, Karnoor Mohan Rai, and Jagannath Shetty Bala were honored.
The programme was organized by Rangachavadi Mangaluru and was sponsored by Karnataka Tulu Sahithya Academy and Department of Kannada and Culture. Chairman of Karavali Group Ganesh Rao presided over the programme.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Bunt leader Ajith Kumar Malady, film producer Dr. P. Sanjeeva Dandakeri, journalist Prakash Pandeshwar, director and actor Shivadhwaj, Devananda Shetty, Kadri Navaneeth Shetty, and V. G. Paul were some of the important people who participated in the event.