Rashtrakavi Dr G S Shivarudrappa on Saturday opposed  efforts to replace the State anthem penned by Kuvempu with other poems.
He was addressing a gathering in Bangalore at Ravindra Kalakshetra after presenting honorary awards presented by Karnataka Shilpakala Academy. “The present State anthem, Jai Bharata Jananiya Tanujate crosses the borders of the State and embraces the nation in all respects. But, Govinda Pai’s ‘Tayi Bara Mogava Tora’ and Huilgol Narayan Rao’s ‘Udayavagali Chaluva Kannada Nadu’ restrict themselves to the State. Therefore, the present State anthem has no match and efforts to replace it should be stopped,” Dr  Shivarudrappa stressed, at the programme. He also opposed the move to set up Hindi Academy in the State.
The awardees include Sarojadevi Acharya, T Raghavachar, SB Nanjundachar, Krishnappa Ramappa Badiger, Basanna Monappa Badiger and Suryakant Gudiar. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10,000 as well as a
memento.
Earlier, Dr Shivarudrappa inaugurated the annual exhibition of sculptors. Bharatiya Vidyabhavan director Dr Mattur Krishnamurthy felicitated 33 senior sculptors in recognition of their services.
Dr G Jnananda, who had bagged the honorary award for his book ‘Paramparika Shilpa Nenne-Nale’, was also felicitated. Annual exhibition awards were presented to Shivanandachar B, Rukkappa Kumbar, Surendra Kalappa Vishwakarma, Anand Babu MA, S Shashidhar, Gururaj S Nayak and and Ramson’s Art Foundation of Mysore.
Director Kannada and culture directorate Manu Baligar, former secretary of Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat and chairperson of Karnataka Shilpakala Academy, registrar Padmajakumari were present.