applauded these artists to support them now. He has
taken lead in many cases. He has also been a popular
speaker in any function to felicitate these artists,
reminding the audience of their qualities and uniqueness.
Very often some of the finest artists in the field may not
know their own value and merit or some of them may
be too shy and self-effacing. Society, if it is civilised
enough, needs to tell them that they do remember them
and with gratitude. Dr Joshi has been in the forefront in
reminding our society the virtues of gratitude.
The academic world which Dr Joshi inhabited and
his relentless pursuit of scholarship also have made him
a writer of repute. He has not only written extensively
on Yakshagana but also secured a doctorate on it from
Mangalore University. He has edited volumes relating
to his chosen subject, the most important being "Polali
Shastry Smaraka Grantha", a tome of 840 pages,
containing rich material to savour and also to sustain
research for generations. But his writings transcend the
area of his artistic pursuit. He is a tireless reader and
interpreter of Indian philosophy. He has explored and
written on many of its facets, about the great sages and
mentors of the past. His knowledge of Sanskrit and
passion for literature have made these works both
interesting and instructive. And his ability to relate these
philosophies to the world we live in makes them all the
more fascinating. Besides, these interests have nudged
him to write poetry and many of his poems have been
published and read with interest.
A man of many parts, Dr Joshi has also known the
pleasure of being honoured for his accomplishments.
Some the major awards that glitter in his cupboard are,
Yakshagana Janapada Academy Lifetime Achievement
Award, Parthisubba Award, Yakshagana Kalaranga,
Udupi Decennial Award, Sheni Gopalakrishna Bhat
Award at Sampaje Yakshotsava, Sheni Suhrith Award,
and so on. These and many awards redound to his many-
sided genius and to the society which has the will and
