Kamat Literary Award Winner Announced!

A literary award in Kannada for the year 2010 was instituted by above foundation established in memory of Dr. Krishnanand Kamat (my late husband). It was for the best travelogue for a work on preservation or creating eco-awareness. Both the subjects were very dear to late Kamat.

Due press publicity was given in the month of March itself and twenty eight entries were received state-wide in Karnataka. Of these seventeen, which directly dealt with the subject were examined by a panel of three well known litterateurs, who were through with the subject. All the three unanimously agreed that Dr, Niranjana Vanalli's "Oman emba Ogatu" (Riddle called Oman) has been chosen as the best entry. Dr. Vanalli presently teaches communication and journalism at post graduate level at the University of Mysore. He will receive a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty five thousand) along with a citation and memento, at a specially arranged invited audience programme on September 25, 2011 at Honnavar, Kamat's birthplace. It coincides with Kamath's 77th Birthday.

The author, Dr Niranjana Vanalli was in Oman on a teaching assignment for 28 months. He has carefully but interestingly noted down the aspect of everyday life, culture, sports and other events of this friendly Muslim country, which has historical trade links with India for more than a millennium.

Several pleasing and hitherto unknown faces of the enlightened ruler and his progressive approach are narrated with the commoners' response with can dour in "Oman emba Ogatu".