Udupi: Dr. N.B. Vijaya Ballala, Trustee of Ambalapady Temple, was conferred with the Tallur Girija Shivarama Shetty Cultural Achiever Award sponsored by Tallur Family Trust at a programme organised by Udupi Theatre in memory of Dr. Kutpadi Ananda Ganigara at the new Rabindra Mantapa of MGM College, Udupi.

Dr. Narayana Sabhahita, Associate Vice-Chancellor, Technology and Science Mahe, Manipal, presided over the function. MLC and former minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, former MLA K Raghupathi Bhat and Dean of KMC Manipal Dr Padma Raja Hegde were the chief guests. Udupi Kannada and Culture Department Deputy Director Poornima, Theatre Director Dr. Sripada Bhat, Trust’s Girija Shivaram Shetty and others were present.

Theatre President Tallur Shivaram Shetty welcomed the gathering. Bhaskar Rao Kidiyoor, vice-president of theatre, spoke on the occasion. Pradeep Kutpadi introduced the dignitaries. Poornima Suresh anchored the programme.