Mangaluru: Film-maker and theatre person M. Sadananda Suvarna has been named the recipient of  ‘Karavali Honorary Award’, which is for the first time instituted by Dakshina Kannada district administration. The award will be presented at Karavali Utsav ground on December 31. 

Speaking to the reporters Prof. Vivek Rai, who is the chairman of the selection committee, said that the choice was unanimously accepted by all the ten members of the committee. 

Deputy Commissioner A.B Ibrahim said that the award is an annual event, where one person, hailing from the district will be honored during the Karavali Utsav. 

Mr. Suvarna’s Ghatashraddha, directed by Girish Kasaravalli, received the prestigious Swarna Kamal award. His Kubi Mattu Iyala was awarded Best Film by the State Government. Charu Haasan, who played the lead role in the film, was awarded the National Award Best Actor for his role in the film.

Born in Mulky in Dakshina Kannada district, Mr. Suvarna lives in Mangaluru and has also frequently written Kannada plays and translated plays from other languages to Kannada. He has written dramas such as Guddada Bhoota, Gondolu, Kurudu Kanchana in the Tulu language.

Sadananda Suvarna is known as an eminent film maker who had obtained his diploma in acting from the Natak Academy of Maharashtra and a certificate course in photography. Among his popular plays are: Dharmachakra, Donkubalada Nayakaru, Suli, Nalvattara Nalugu, Urulu and Court Marshal.

Mr. Suvarna became a household name through his TV serial Guddada Bhoota. His documentary, Hucchu Manassina Hattu Mukhagalu on Shivaram Karanth has won wide appreciation.

Suvarna owns Suvarnagiri Publications, which has encouraged many a young writer by first publishing their works. He is part of many social service oriented associations.