BENGALURU: Renowned historian and author, Ramachandra Guha, musician and singer Dr K J Yesudas and Dr M R Srinivasan, former chairman of the atomic energy commission and the last surviving link with the late Dr Homi Bhabha, are among 62 luminaries chosen by the state government for Rajyotsava awards this year. These awards would be conferred by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on November 1. The government picked 62 awardees to mark the 62nd anniversary of formation of the state.
Mr Guha, a strong critic of the Congress party, including the Nehru-Gandhi clan as well as the BJP, proved a surprise choice as he was among those who criticized the state government on the proposed steel flyover, and also received a legal notice for stating that rightwing activists were responsible for the recent murder of editor-activist Gauri Lankesh. Sources in department of Kannada and culture said the screening committee headed by minister Umashree selected 124 eminent personalities but the high level committee headed by Mr Siddaramaiah reduced the number to 62. Some names made it to the list of award winners for unique reasons.
Kannada actress Kanchana was chosen because she was living in abject poverty in a temple after losing her property. Similarly, a folk artiste, Mailara Mahadeva, battling a debilitating disease, made it to the list as his medical expenses would be reimbursed by the state government on receiving the Rajyotsava award. The list of awardees is as follows:
Literature : Dr Basavaraj Sabarad, Dr Vaidehi, Maher Mansoor, Dr Hanumakshi Gogi and D.S. Nagabhushan
Theatre: Belur Krishnamurthy, Gudur Mamatha, C.K. Gundanna, Shivappa Bharamappa Adaragunchi, A. Varalakshmi and N.Y. Puttannaiah
Film and TV: Dr K.J. Yesudas, Kanchana, Mukjyamantri Chandru and Hassan Raghu Music and Dance: Lalita J. Rao, Rajaprabhu Dhotre, Rajendra Singh Pawar, Veeresh Kittur and Ullal Mohan Kumar
Folklore: Tamburi Javarayya, Shavamma, Goravara Mailarappa, Tayamma, Manappa Eerappa Lohar, Krishnappa Govindappa Puradar and Dengamma Karadigudda Yakshagana and Bayalata: Shivaram Jogi, Balkur Krishna Yaji, K. Pampapathy and Eshwaravva Huchhavva Madar Social Service: Meera Naik, Ravindranath Shanubhog and Left Gen. Ramesh Halgali Research and other art Forms: Ramachandra Guha, S. Sayad Ahmed, H.B. Majunath, Dr P.K.
Rajashekhar and Prof B. Gangadharamurthy Sculpture and drawing: B.L.N. Simha, Shalini Myageri, Honnappacharya and Manohar K. Pattar Agriculture and Environment: Dr Bisalaiah, Abdul Khadar Imam Saab, S.M. Krishnappa and C. Yathiraju
Media: Kusuma Shanubhag, Abbur Rajashekhar, Vittappa Gorantli and Ramadev Rake Science and Technology: Dr M.R. Sreenivasan, Dr Munivenkatappa Nanjappa
Medicine: Dr Leelavathi Devadas
Sports: L. Shekhar Naik, V.R. Raghunath Sahana Kumari
Education: Dr P. Shyamaraju
Engineering: B.A. Reddy
Kannadigas residing outside the state: Ronaldo Kolaco
Organisations: Naganur Vachana Study Centre.
