Mysore/Mysuru: Nadoja awardee and Scholar Dr. T.V. Venkatachala Shastry and his wife Venkatalakshmi were felicitated at a programme organised under the aegis of Nrutyalaya Trust at Nadabrahma Sangeetha Sabha on JLB Road here yesterday.

Speaking as the chief guest, former Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS) faculty Dr. N.S. Taranath said that Dr. Shastry turned down higher posts that came his way at Mangaluru in order to pursue his research.

Noting that Dr. Shastry has made research his life and everything else, he said that the veteran scholar has attained expertise in more than nine fields, besides rendering yeoman service to Sahitya Parishat.

Stating that Dr. Shastry’s command over the language can be gauged by his work on Halmidi scriptures, Dr. Taranath said that the comprehension capabilities of Dr. Shastry is simply excellent.

Maintaining that Dr. Shastry has written autobiographies of top achievers of the city, he said that Dr. Shastry is one of the few who have a deeper understanding of the geographical features of Mysuru and surroundings. Dr. Shastry is this century’s ‘Shastra Purusha’, he added.

Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji graced the occasion. Former KIKS Director Dr. D.K. Rajendra and Nrutyalaya Trust President Dr. Tulasi Ramachandra were present.