Bhatkal: Kannada Sahitya Parishat pays tribute to late Dr I.R. Bhat

Bhatkal: The Bhatkal taluk unit of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat organised a condolence programme at Manasmaruthi in Murdeshwar to pay tribute to late Dr I.R. Bhat, a popular doctor from Murdeshwar, senior lifetime member of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat and a person who made significant contributions to Yakshagana, art, literature, culture and social service through Yaksharakshé.

S.S. Kamath, who attended the programme, recalled his 60-year association with Dr I.R. Bhat and spoke about his humanitarian and social service.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat secretary P.R. Naik recalled Dr I.R. Bhat's contribution to promoting art and artists through Yaksharakshé. He said Dr Bhat lived up to the saying Vaidyo Narayano Harihi through his service as a doctor.

Presiding over the programme, taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Gangadhar Naik said Dr I.R. Bhat's life showed how a person can be remembered by future generations. He said Dr Bhat's humane service as a doctor and his efforts through Yaksharakshé to encourage different art forms and artists of the region had made his name memorable.

Manasuta Shambhu Hegde recalled the support Dr I.R. Bhat had extended to his father Malkodu Narayana Hegde for his literary works and book release programmes.

M.V. Hegde, Manasuta, Ganapathi Kaikini, Netravathi Acharya, Poornima Karkikar, Primary School Teachers' Association president Umesh Kerekatté, Manjunath Hegde, Yogesh Hegde, K.B. Hegde, Shivakumar Hichkad and Ganesh Yaji also recalled Dr Bhat's contributions to various fields.

The programme began with a minute of silence, followed by a floral tribute to Dr I.R. Bhat's portrait. Ganapathi Kaikini offered a prayer through a Yakshagana song.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat honorary treasurer and writer Sridhar Shet compered the programme and spoke about Dr I.R. Bhat's multifaceted personality.

Uday Naik, Maruthi Naik, Prakash Bhat, Parameshwar N. Bhat, Shankar Bhatrahittal and several others were present.