started a Theatre-in-education project called Shalaranga with the help from the government of India during 1991–1993. Ford Foundation has volunteered in establishing a rural theatre and film culture project called Janaspandana. Ninasam conducts a summer workshop for youngsters. Ninasam chitrasamaja is an organisation to encourage film culture and to hold film festivals. Handicrafts and sculpture Gudigars are a clan of craftsmen who are specialised in carving intricate designs on wood, mainly sandalwood. They are concentrated in the Sagara and Soraba taluks. The articles they make are sold at government emporiums. Ashok Gudigar is one of the sculptors from this clan. A 41-foot Bahubali statue is one of his works. He has won the Vishwakarma award for his Chalukyan-style Ganesha sculpture. He has won the National award in 1992 for his Hoysala-styled Venugopala sculpture. Dance Dollu Kunitha and Yakshagana are some of the dance forms which are prevalent in this district. Yakshagana has a long history in the district and Dr. Kota Shivarama Karantha suggests that origin of the 'badaguthittu' form of Yakshagana took place in the region between Ikkeri of Shimoga district and Udupi. Fairs Dasara is celebrated every year in Shimoga. Many cultural programmes are held during this time. A folk fair was organised in Shimoga in 2006. Marikamba festival is celebrated in Sagara once in 3 years. Cinema The tele-serial Malgudi days which was based on a novel written by R K Narayan was shot in Agumbe. It was directed by the Kannada actor and director Shankar Nag. The film Kanoora heggadathi which was based on the novel written by Kuvempu was shot in Thirthahalli taluk. It was directed by Girish Karnad. B. V. Karanth composed music for this film. The film Samskara, based on the novel written by U. R. Anantha Murthy, was shot in a village in the Shimoga district. Cinema personalities born in Shimoga district: Girish Kasaravalli: Film director who has won several Swarna Kamal awards for Kannada art movies. P. Lankesh: Editor of the tabloid Lankesh Patrike and director of a few films. Ashok Pai: Psychiatrist, script writer and film producer who produced Kannada film Kadina Benki and others. Sudeep Kannada actor born in Shimoga Arun Sagar A Kannada Actor from Sagara Cuisine Rice is the staple food for majority of the people in Shimoga district. The food in this district is somewhat similar to Udupi cuisine. However, exclusive dishes specified to Malenadu are