Mysuru: Ninasam (Neelakanteshwara Natyaseva Sangha) in Heggodu, Shivamogga, Godavari Dange of Osmanabad in Tulajapura taluk of Maharashtra and Kamegowda of Malavalli in Mandya district, have been selected for ‘RamaGovinda Puraskara-2018’ instituted by Smt. D. Ramabai Charitable Foundation and Sri M. Gopinath Shenoi Charitable Trust, Mysuru.

These two institutions are associated with a pro-societal cause in education, health and cultural sectors, immensely involving human welfare and development. As an extension of their social endeavours, these two institutions have collectively instituted the ‘RamaGovinda Puraskara’ to be presented annually since 2016. This award is an yearly event, preceded by meticulous selection of an institution and individuals working for societal development.

This year’s awards function will be held at Kalamandira in city on Jan.28 at 6 pm. Theatre person and former Chairman of Kannada Development Authority  Mukhyamantri Chandru will inaugurate the programme in the presence of M. Ramanatha Shenoi couple, M. Jagannath Shenoi couple and M. Gopinatha Shenoi couple.

At 7.15 pm, Dr. Chandrashekara Kambara’s play ‘Mahaaamaayi’ will be staged by Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri. It is designed and Directed by Jeevan Ram Sullia.

Profile: Ninasam is a cultural organisation located in the village of Heggodu in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga and dedicated to the dissemination of theatre and culture. Renowned dramatist and Magsaysay award winner, K.V. Subbanna was one of the Founder-Members of Ninasam. Through the last five decades of socio-cultural work, Ninasam has now branched out into several organisations like the Ninasam Theatre Institute, Ninasam Tirugata and others. Through all these branches, the scope of Ninasam’s work has spread out into the whole of Karnataka with workshops, seminars, lectures, performances, etc. The total contribution of Ninasam has also been recognised nationally and internationally.

Godavari Dange is the great mother from Marathawada squabbling with drought-life. A leader, social worker facing off the famine that comes year after year, saving the Land-Water-Jungle-Animals and the People.

Kamegowda, conversing in whispers with the fauna and herding the sheep at foothills, is a lone mystic who has constructed lakes providing water for all the needy.