Kasargod, Jun 9: Pampa Award was honoured to litterateur Kayyara Kinhanna Rai at his 100. The award was conferred by the State government for his contribution to Kannada literature. The Department of Kannada and Culture had organised the award programme at his residence ‘Kavita Kuteera’ at Peradala village in Badiyadka on Sunday.
The man who led the campaign for the merger of Kasargod district with Karnataka and had demanded for the implementation of Mahajan Committee Report was conferred the award on the occasion of his 100th birthday.
Referring it as the most memorable day for him as well as Kannadigas, he said that the award has made him happy and motivated and gave a message to promote the literature of Pampa. “Communicating about his literature to the people is important. It is our duty to speak about it. He is the greatest poet of Kannada literature and I had developed fondness for his works since my school days. Pampa Bharatha reflects his standard,” he said.
Pampa award comprised of a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh, a certificate and a memento.
Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree urged the selection committee to identify litterateurs like Kayyara who have not been recognised by the government despite their immense contribution to Kannada.
B Ramanath Rai, Dakshina Kannada District-in-Charge Minister and U.T. Khader, Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister hoped the government to grant Kayyara with Karnataka Ratna award.
Karnataka urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake and youth services and sports minister Abhyachandra Jain too honoured Kinhanna Rai.
