Speaking to the media persons here on Thursday, Academy President Prof M H Krishnayya said that the awards will be given away by renowned Marathi litterateur Dr Balachandra Namade. Veteran poet Dr Nadoja Chennaveera Kanavi will be the chief guest, he added.

The honorary award will be presented to Dr Shashikala Moldi, Dr Gurumurthy Pendakur, Prof K R Nagaraj, Dr P K Rajashekar and Dr Mudnakudu Chennaswami. The litterateurs and their works chosen for the award include Dr L Hanumathayya for his work ‘Karnaraga’ (poem), Dr N D’Souza for ‘Ullangane’ (novel), Dr Vinaya for ‘Ura Olagana Bayalu’ (short story), Laxmipathy Kolar for ‘Allama Bayalata’ (drama), Dr Mogalli Ganesh for ‘Thakararu’ (literary criticism), P S Bandage for ‘Yaru nanu’ (biography) and Krishnamurthy Belegere for
‘Padyayada Mara’ (children’s literature). The award is given in seven categories.

Krishnayya informed that the Sahitya Academy has many plans to develop the language in all ways. The Government has released Rs 40 lakh as annual allocation to take up works to develop the language. Documentation of all the literary forms right from the beginning till date in the form of volumes is one among many proposals. The work is under progress and the volumes will be out in 6 months.

Animation films will be made for children in Kannada based on short stories and poems. The musical part of the film is assigned to renowned Kannada music director Hamsalekha. A website has been launched by the Academy that offers every detail about the litterateurs, writers, poets and all those associated with Kannada language. Besides, it also offers information on Academy activities, he added. Registrar V N Mallikarjuna Swami and Member Coordinator Ambathanaya Mudradi were present.