On 30th Dec. 2016 AIR Mangaluru witnessed for a rare and heart throbbing program wherein a warm farewell was given to one of the most revered and reputed AD (P) and Program Head of this zone. After putting 28 ½ years of service in All India Radio Dr. Vasanthkumar Perla, AD (P) has retired from service on superannuation on 31st Dec. 2016. He joined AIR as Program Executive in the month of July 1988 after selection from UPSC. Initially he has served at AIR, Mangaluru for seven years and then transferred to AIR Hassan, from there to AIR Mysore and then AIR Karwar and again to AIR Mangaluru.
Dr. Vasanthkumar Perla is a versatile personality not only in the field of media but also in art, literature, culture and theatre. He is known for his oratory all throughout Karnataka and for his scholarly personality. Before joining to Akashvani he was a journalist at Bengaluru for a leading Kannada news paper and served there for 7 years. During his stint in AIR he marked his footprints in developing the image of Akashvani wherever he moved. He is having 40 years experience in the field of literature, theatre, media and organizing.
He has written and published over 30 books in Kannada and 10 books in Tulu. Hattarodanondu, Naanu mattu Ganesha (collection of short stories), Mathinacheya Mouna, Huttadolagina Haavu, Kotilinga, Rangasthala, Oddolaga (collection of poems) are a few important works in Kannada, while History of Tulu Poetry, Collection of Tulu Short Stories and Collection of Tulu poems, Collection of Tulu articles (published by Dravidian University, Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh) are a few works in Tulu. His writings include poetry, short stories, novels, literary criticisms, travelogue, research articles and biographies etc.
He is a good organizer too. He has organized more than twenty five invited audience programs successfully for Akashvani and hundreds of private literary programs in Karnataka wherein thousands of literary personalities took part. Dr. Perla has brought All India Radio in to lime-light in the new challenged scenario by taking it into the door-steps of common man through planning new and innovative programs. He is one among the few scholars of this zone who built a strong base for Tulu language during last three decades. He has brought in to light and nourished over two thousand young talents through Media all throughout Karnataka. He has produced more than seven thousand programs during his 28 ½ years service in AIR.
So far he has received twelve awards in which some of the important awards are Dakshina Kannada Rajyotsava award, Tulu Sahithya Academy award, Muddana poetry award, Kayyara poetry award, Kavyaganga poetry award, Bidar District Janseva award, Siddhayya Puranik award, Vishveshwarayya award, Rangaswaroop theatre award etc. He is a very good programmer and known for his LIVE commentaries and interviews.
No wonder, Dr. Vasanthkumar Perla's name is synonymous with Akashvani. Through his programs over Akashvani and his literary activities he won over the hearts of the general public. His entire family is in the literary and cultural field. His wife, K. Shailakumari is a short story writer, poetess and columnist. And also a Karnatic Classical Music artist. Dr. Perla's two daughters, namely Vidushi Artha Perla and Vidushi Ayana Perla are well known bharatanatyam dancers and Graded dancers of DDK. They are classical music singers and writers both in Kannada and English. Also they published literary works in Kannada. Dr. Perla's son is also moving in the same direction.
In the farewell function held at the premises of Akashvani Shri G. Rameshchandran, DD (E) presided over and colleagues spoke at length about Dr. Perla's contribution. Dr. Sadananda Perla, PEX welcomed the gathering and Suryanarayana Bhat P.S., PEX gave vote of thanks. Shri Shyamprasad , PEX compered the event.
Dr. Vasanthkumar Perla was honoured with shawl, garland and plate of fruits. A memorable memento was also given by the Club members as part of gratitude.
Contribution: K. Ashok, PEX, AIR, Raichur, Mob: 9449259218