It was a crowded Nayana Auditorium behind Ravindra Kalakshetra on Monday evening at the 12th annual Varadappa awards presentation to Smt Prathibha Narayan stage actor and veteran actor MS Umesh of cinema.

Nonagenarian politician MV Rajashekharan, noted playback singer and Sadhana Music School founder Smt Manjula Gururaj, SA Chinne Gowda and Muralidhar Halappa were on the dais.

For the annual Rs.10000 cash prize, shawl, garland, plaque, fruit basket for the two recipients from this year it is Rs.25000 each from daughters of Sri Varadappa – Smt Latha, Brinda, Usha and Asha.

Prof Baraguru Ramachandrappa head of this likeminded team of SP Varadarju awards ‘Balaga’ was not present as his wife was admitted to the hospital. Dr Rajakumar daughters Lakshmi and Poornima were present but not the sons of Dr Rajakumar – Shiv, Raghanna and Puneeth  Rajakumar for the paternal uncle awards evening.

Muralidhar Halappa welcoming the guest also highlighted the distinction achieved by the guests in his speech.

90 years MV Rajashekharan a respected politician from Karnataka disclosed the simplicity of Dr Rajakumar and called upon the people of this country to carry on the tradition, legacy and culture with respect. My energy got charged coming to this function mentioned the veteran politician.

A veteran singer and founder of Sadhana Music School Smt Manjula Gururaj in her address stated that for the song ‘Olage Seridare Gundu…at a particular place the voice modulation was taught by Varadappa. Another song Mussanjeli…. in my career of 24 songs with Dr Rajakumar, I finished recording in 20 minutes – Varadappa said ‘You are Rakshasi’ in your renderings, such a difficult song you made it so quick he applauded. She rendered a top song of her career with Dr Rajakumar ‘Hrudayadalidenidu…Nadiyondu Odide….

The high pitch of Prathibha Narayan stage actor surprised everyone. My life has got value to today from this award she said and rendered ‘Raga Geethe’ from Bhaktha Ambarisha play – this is the play supposed to come up with Dr Rajakumar in triple roles.

MS Umesh in his address thanked Dr Rajakumar family and how Varadappa was instrumental in his career uplift. Umeshanna rendered Sri Basavanna’s ‘Kalabeda Kolabeda….For me Saraswathi Sparsha is there but not ‘Saakara’ disclosed Umesh.