Mangaluru witnessed a vibrant celebration of local talent and community service this Saturday, November 8, as Namma Kudla channel hosted its 26th annual Gudu Deepa (lantern) competition and awards ceremony. Held at the revered Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Kshetra, the event coincided with the Deepavali festivities, bringing together prominent personalities and dedicated achievers from various fields.
The evening's highlight was the presentation of several prestigious awards. Tulu film director and producer Vijay Kumar Kodialbail received the 2026 Namma Kudla Award for his significant contributions to cinema. Shashidhar B. Shetty Baroda, owner of Shashi Catering Services, was honoured with the Namma Tuluver Award. The Adarsha Dampati Gourava Puraskara, instituted in memory of the late Babu Karkera and Lakshmi Karkera, was jointly presented to Veda Murthy Chandrakant Bhat and Annapoorna couple from Gurupura Satya Devatha Kshetra. Additionally, the Maruthi Jana Seva Trust and Maruthi Yuvaka Mandala of Ullal Mogaveera Patna earned the Namma Kudla Seva Award for their community initiatives.
Namma Kudla channel also extended a special felicitation to its cameraman, Divakar Baikampady, recognizing him as a D.K. District-level Rajyotsava award winner.
A host of dignitaries graced the occasion, including MP Captain Brijesh Chowta and MLA Vedavyas Kamath. Entrepreneur Chandrahas Shetty Rangoli, Yaksha Priya Arshiya Khan, and Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple Administrative Committee President Jairaj H. Somasundaram were also present. Trustee Kishore Dandakeri, Auditor S.S. Nayak, and Youth Congress President Roopesh Rai further added to the distinguished guest list.
Key figures from Namma Kudla channel, including directors Harish B. Karkera, Suresh B. Karkera, Mohan B. Karkera, Leelaksha B. Karkera, and Santosh B. Karkera, oversaw the successful proceedings. The organization's COO, Kadri Navaneeth Shetty, alongside Prof. Bhaskara Rai Kukkuvalli and Dayananda Katil, were among the many attendees marking the festive occasion.
Image: varthabharati.in
đŸ“° Source: Vartha Bharati DK