On Saturday, December 12, the twelfth edition of the Yaksharathi programme will be staged at the courtyard of Kona Mooru Mahalingeshwara Temple and on the Shri Perduuru Mela platform, according to organiser Gajendra Achar Koni.
The ceremony will honour veteran journalist Shivaram Karant with the Yaksharathi Achiever Award, while senior farmer and traditional healer Siddhaya Shetty Katkere will receive a special accolade. The event also recognises John D Soj Koni with a distinguished award.
Talented students will be celebrated for academic excellence. From the 2025 final‑year examinations of Mangalore University, Dr B B Hegde College’s Suhani – daughter of Shankara Mogaveer and Shanta – secured third rank, and Shraddha – daughter of Ramesh Mogaveer and Vanaja – placed eighth. In the 2025‑26 second‑year PUC science exam, Spuurti V Poojaari, offspring of Vasudev Poojaari and Shanta Poojaari Koni, achieved a 90 % score. The highest marks in the 2025‑26 SSLC exam of Koni Jagannath Rao Government Higher Secondary School went to K Shreya (571), daughter of Shashidhar Poojaari and Jothi, and Panchami (563), daughter of Suresh Mogaveer and Savitha.
Sporting excellence will also be highlighted. Gold‑medal wrestler K Akanksha Joggi, daughter of Gururaja Joggi and Premila, earned the state‑level wrestling title in Mysore, while district‑level boxing champion Anvit Poojaari, son of Ashok Poojaari and Sujata, will be presented with a gold medal.
In a special artistic tribute, the chief flautist of the Perduuru Mela, Shashank Acharya Kirimanjeshwara, will receive a cultural honour before the mythic Yaksharathi performance commences in the presence of dignitaries and guests.
Gajendra Achar Koni confirmed that the awards will precede the traditional Yaksharathi enactment, followed by a gathering of the Perduuru Mela community.
Image: kundapraa.com
📰 Source: Kundapra