Birth Centenary of Kamasale Mahadevaiah held

Mysuru:  The Department of Kannada and Culture along with Karnataka Janapada Academy had organised a function at Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha on JLB Road here on Apr.15 to mark the birth centenary of renowned folk artiste Kamsale Mahadevaiah.

Speaking on the occasion, Folk Scholar Dr. P.K. Rajashekar opined that genuine artistes like Mahadevaiah should be identified and encouraged to prevent fake artistes mushrooming under the guise of folk artistes. He recalled that Mahadevaiah had provided the background music for the popular Kannada movie ‘Vamshavruksha.’

Taking strong objection to the closure of the Publishing House at Karnataka Janapada Academy, he opined that the Academy should publish a collection of folk songs sung by Mahadevaiah to pay a fitting tribute to the great artiste.

Continuing, Dr. Rajashekar recalled that Kamsale Mahadevaiah was appointed as a Visiting Professor to Folklore Department of Mysore University. That was history as appointing an artiste sans any formal education as a Visiting Professor at a University had never happened earlier. A true assessment of a great artiste, he said.

Inaugurating the programme, Mahadevaiah’s son Kamsale Kumaraswamy recalled that his father had formed a Kamsale troupe at a very young age and got recognition at the National level. He felt proud to be a Kamsale artiste having inherited the talent from his father.

Academy Chairman B.T. Kannur, Folk Scholar Dr. T.S. Rajappa, Rangayana Joint Director V.N.  Mallikarjunaswamy and several folk artistes were present on the occasion.

The programme also featured a seminar, a music programme, interaction and an art expo.