The General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, Delhi has selected veteran Yakshagana artist Keremane Shivananda Hegde of Gunavanthe, near Honnavar in Uttara Kannada for its Sangeet Natak Academy Award (Puraskar) for 2024 among others.

It has also chosen noted Hindustani vocalist Vidushi Mahalaxmi Shenoy of Karkala, Udupi district for Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 among others.

The awards were announced on Wednesday.

The Akademi Award carries a purse money of ₹1 lakh besides a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.

The Yuva Puraskar carries a prize money of ₹25,000 besides a Tamrapatra and an Angavastram.

Shivananda Hegde

Mr. Hegde is the Director of Keremane Idagunji Mahaganapati Yakshagana Mandali which is more than nine decades old. The mandali was founded in 1934 by his grandfather late Keremane Shivarama Hegde. It was taken forward by Shivarama Hegde’s son late Keremane Shambhu Hegde who was father of Mr. Shivananda Hegde.

Hence, Mr. Shivnanda Hegde was introduced into Yakshagana when he was 12 years old. He learnt choreography under the tutelage of classical dancer Maya Rao.

Mr. Shivananda Hegde has performed in many countries including the U.S., England, Sri Lanka, France, Spain, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippine, Laos, and Myanmar.

The mandali is accredited by 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO to provide advisory services during its 10th session at UNESCO headquarters on June 11 and 12, 2024.

It was the first Yakshagana institution to achieve the distinction of getting accredited to the UNESCO convention. The mandali was one among the 58 organisations worldwide accredited by the convention during its 10th session, thus standing as a beacon of cultural pride, especially for Karnataka.

Since its establishment, the mandali has deeply been engaged in Yakshagana performances, education through its gurukul, holding national festivals like the Keremane Shambhu Hegde Rashtriya Natyotsava, research, workshops, and its signature initiative, “Aatave Paata,” which brings Yakshagana into schools.

Earlier, the mandali’s artists Shivarama Hegde, Shambhu Hegde, and Keremane Mahabala Hegde, were honoured with Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Mahalaxmi Shenoy

A highly accomplished vocalist, Ms. Shenoy has emerged as one of the distinguished young ambassadors of Hindustani classical music from Karnataka. Known for her refined musicianship, emotive expression, and unwavering commitment to the classical tradition, she has won the admiration of audiences and connoisseurs alike through her performances across India.

A foremost disciple of Grammy Award-winning maestro Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt, Ms. Shenoy represents the rich Guru-Shishya Parampara, blending rigorous classical training with artistic maturity. Her musical journey has been marked by dedication, scholarship, and a deep reverence for India’s cultural heritage.