The State government has chosen 60 people for Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, including Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar, cricketer Vinay Kumar, writer Aryambha Pattabhi, yesteryear actor ‘Sowcar’ Janaki’, former judge A.J. Sadashiva, film actor Sadashiva Brahmavar and film director and comedian Sadhu Kokila.
Dr. Kumar is also Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Space Commission. An alumnus of the National College, Bengaluru, he completed his physics (honours) degree in 1971. Dr. Kumar then went on to obtain master’s degree in electronics from Bangalore University and then an M.Tech. degree in physical engineering from Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
Popular south Indian actor ‘Sowcar’ Janaki has acted in over 385 Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi films. She has also performed on stage in over 300 shows and was a radio artiste.
Noted film and theatre actor H.G. Somashekara Rao has also been chosen for the award.
For the first time, the government has recognised the services of a transgender to society by choosing Akkai Padmashali, who has fought for her rights and acceptance, for the award in the field on social service.
The government has restricted the number of award winners to 60 to mark the 60th Karnataka Rajyotsava Day. The selection committee adhered to the yardstick of a minimum age of 60. However, norms were relaxed in the field of sports.
The award, which carries a purse of Rs. 1 lakh, 20 gram gold medal and a citation, will be presented on Sunday at Ravindra Kalakshetra.
The following is the list of Rajyotsava Award winners this year: literature: K.G. Nagarajappa, Jinadatta Desai, Aryambha Pattabhi, Virendra Simpi, and H.L. Keshavamurthy; music and dance: Sriramulu, Lokesh Das, Khasim Sab Jamadar, Shobha R. Huilgola, and Chitra Venugopal; folklore: Machar Gopala Naik, Appagere Thimmaraju, Kencha Madegowda, Hanifa M. Sheikh, Gurulingappa Veera Sangappa Karadi, and Mariyamma Basanna Shiravati; art and sculpture: Kamalakshi M.J., P.S. Kademani, Mallappa Maliyappa Badigera and Mariswamy; sports: Pandanda Kuttappa, Vinay Kumar, and M. Niranjan; Yakshagana: Margoli Govinda Shiregara, Mudambylu Gopalakrishna Shastry, Sakravva Ellavva Patrota, and Tammannachar; film and television: Sowcar Janaki, Sadashiva Brahmavara, Sadhu Kokila, and Shani Mahadevappa; theatre: H.G. Somashekara Rao, B. Kariyappa Master, Mumtaz Begum, Sanjeevappa Gaburu, and Veena Advani; judiciary: A.J. Sadashiva; education: R.K. Saroja; science and technology: A.S. Kiran Kumar and Abdul Azeez; media: Kalle Shivottama Rao, H.S. Eshwar, Nagamani S. Rao, Hanumantha Hugara, and Naganna; social service: M.S. Helavar, Karin Kumar, Meera Srinvasa Shanubhag, R.R. Padaki, and Akkai Padmashali; agriculture-environment: Prakash Bhat, Mallanna Nagarala, Bannur Krishnappa, and Muttanna Poojara; Horanadu Kannadiga: Sharada Rajanna; other fields: H.S. Patila, Lakshman Telagavi, Phakirappa Reddy Basappa Reddy Gaddanakeri, and S. Thippeswamy; and associations and organisations: Dr. Pha. Gu. Halagatti Samshodhana Samsthe.
