Mangaluru: Yakshagana Artists Siddakatte Vishwanatha Shetty and Bellare Vishwanatha Rai have been chosen for 2015-16 Alike Ramaiah Rai award for their invaluable contribution to the field of Yakshagana.

Alike Ramaiah Rai Trust office-bearer Alike Durgaprasad Rai said in a press meet that the award would carry a purse of Rs 10,000 and a memento and will be given on May 5th at the residence of awardees, considering the fact that both of exponents have been bedridden.

Bhaskara Kukkuvalli, Chief Advisor of Alike Ramaiah Rai Trust among others was present.

Siddhakatte Vishwanatha Shetty had won ‘Yaksha Raksha’ award while Bellare Vishwanatha Rai had won ‘Bolar’ award for his remarkable contribution to ‘Thenku-Thittu’ Yakshagana