Mysuru:  Stating that Pandit Puttaraj Gawai has moulded thousands of artistes, MLA L. Nagendra has said that the late Singer was like a god to thousands of disciples and also to him.

He was speaking after inaugurating the day-long Bhyravadinda Bhyravi music programme organised by city’s Guru Puttaraja Sangeetha Sabha to mark the eighth death anniversary of Padmabhushana late Dr. Pandit Puttaraj Gawai, at Ganabharathi (Veene Seshanna Bhavan) on Adichunchanagiri Road, Kuvempunagar here this morning.

Highlighting Pt. Puttaraj Gawai’s enormous contribution to the society, Nagendra said that the great singer had left behind a highly valuable legacy to the society.

Child Mridanga artiste Hemanth Joshi of Dharwad was conferred Puttashree Samman award. Senior music critic from Udupi, Prof. Aravind Hebbar released Writer Prahlad J. Kattimani’s work titled Sri Renuka Kavyamanjari on the occasion.

The event also featured a painting expo by artist Y.S. Puneeth, which was inaugurated by T. Narsipur BEO S. Swamy.

Corporator M.V. Ramprasad presided. M. Krishnamurthy, proprietor, Pratibha Enterprises, Bengaluru was the guest of honour. Puttaraj Gawai Sangeetha Sabha President Bheemashankar Bidanur, Vice-President Dr. A.L. Desai and others were present.