Department of Kannada and Culture releases list of awardees in art, music, theatre

Bengaluru: The Department of Kannada and Culture on Thursday released the list of awardees for Annual Awards 2024-25 in five categories including National Awards.

The Minister of Kannada and Culture Shivaraj S Tangadagi told presspersons that the award ceremony will be held on March 3 at Raveendra Kalakshetra in Bengaluru.

“The awardees are chosen by a selection committee composed of Justice H N Nagamohandas, Mallika Ghanti, Veerabhadrappa, M S Murthy and P Venkatesh Kumar for National Awards, Socio-cultural, Literature and theatre, art and music and dance awards respectively,” he said.

“In total, we will be giving 19 awards with Rs 10 lakh cash for four National Awards and Rs 5 lakh for the rest of the awards,” he said.

The awardees have been recognised for their extensive contribution to various fields of literature, art, music, dance and theatre including Sharana literature, folk culture, classical music, sculpture alongside working towards social causes like environmental conservation and research.

He clarified that the nominations were directly given to the selection committee and neither the government, nor the minister had any stake in recommending names. “The complete decision of awardees was in the hands of the selection committee. I was not involved,” he added.

National Award

Basava National Award: Dr S R Gunjala, Dharwad

Bhagawan Mahaveera National Peace Award: Pandit Ratna A Shantiraja, Bengaluru

T Chowdaiah National Award: Basappa H Bhajantri, Bagalkot

Ganayogi Pandit Panchakshari Gavai National Award: Begum Parween Sultana, Mumbai

Socio-cultural Awards

Sangolli Rayanna Award: K Rajakumar, Kolar

Akkamahadevi Award: Dr Hema Pattanashetty, Dharwad

Literature and theatre Awards

Pampa Award: B A Viveka Rai, Dakshina Kannada

Prof KG Kundanagara Gadinadu Literary Award: S Raghunatha, Kolar

Danachintamani Attimabbe Award: YC Bhanumati, Hassan

BV Karantha Award: G Lokesh, Bengaluru

Dr Gubbiveeranna Award: K Nagaratnamma, Vijayanagara

Dr Siddalingaiah Literary Award: Dr L Hanumanthaiah, Bengaluru

Art Awards

Varna Shilpi Venkatappa Award: MJ Kamalakshi, Bengaluru

Jakanachari Award: M Ramamurthy, Bengaluru

Janapada Shri Award: Ningappa Bhajantri, Kalaburgi (Instrument); Dodda Gavi Basappa, Chamarajanagara (Vocals)

Music and dance Awards

Nijaguna-Purandara Award: Ananta Teradala, Belagavi (Vocals, Hindustani)

Kumaravyasa Award: AV Prasanna, Hassan (Gamaka)

Shantala Natya Award: Padmini Ravi, Bengaluru

Shishunala Sharif Award: Prof S Mallanna, Chamarajanagara