The Bhramari Yakshamithraru Mangaluru Trust has selected veteran Yakshagana artist K.H. Dasappa Rai for its Bhramari Yakshamani Award 2026.

The award, which carries a cash prize of ₹15,000, a citation, and a silver medal will be conferred to him at Bhramari Yakshavaibhava-2026 event at Kudmul Rangarao Town Hall in the city on August 1, a release said.

Mr. Rai began his career in Yakshagana theatre at the age of 15. In over his six decades of his performance as a professional artist he performed in Yakshagana troupes like Karnataka Mela, Kadri Mela, Kumbale Kanipura Mela, and Mangaladevi Mela.

He is widely acclaimed for his iconic portrayals of Koti in the Yakshagana prasanga (script) ‘Koti-Chennaya’ and Mainda Gurikare in the prasanga ‘Kadamallige’.

The Bhramari Yakshaseva Puraskara will be presented on the same event to Monappa Gowda, a dedicated ‘Nepathya Kalavida’ (green room assistant) having three decades of experience and Dattatreya Yakshagana and Bhajan Mandali, Mudipu-Kurnaad, an organisation that has been organising ‘Talamaddale’ and training children in Yakshagana since over nine decades. Each of these awardee will receive a cash prize of ₹6,000 and a citation.

A stage programme at 7 p.m. will be followed by an all-night Yakshagana performance featuring renowned artists from Tenkutittu School of Yakshagana. The prasangas to be performed are Ambhashapatha, Lakshmi Swayamvara, and Tamradhwaja Kalaga. Entry for the show is free of cost.