The award for 2011, carries a cash prize of Rs 5.1 lakh. The Parishat is yet to decide the date and venue for presenting the award.
The Nrupathunga award carries the highest cash prize among all the awards given in the State in recognition of service rendered to Kannada and culture. The previous winners of the award are G S Shivarudrappa, Patil Puttappa, C P Krishnakumar, among others.
The 73-year-old Kalburgi was chosen by the Parishat at a meeting held on Wednesday. He is also recipient of the Central and State Sahitya Academy awards, Janapada and Yakshagana Academy awards, besides the Pampa Awards.
Kalburgi was born in Yargall village of Sindhagi taluk of Bijapur district. He has over 20 publications including ‘Neeru Neeradisittu’, ‘Sangarshi’ and ‘Kachhittu Kalyana’.