The Hindu : Front Page : Number of Rajyotsava awards to be limited

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 06, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Number of Rajyotsava awards to be limited

Special Correspondent

Awards instituted by Directorate of Kannada and Culture, including T. Chowdiah Award, presented

ALL WINNERS: (Clockwise from top left) Dattatreya Sadashiva Garuda, G.S.S. Kaushik, Renukamma Murgod, Vijaya Sindhura, Veena Shanteshwara, C. Siddalingaiah, Leela Ramanathan, Siriyajji, and Eshwarappa Ghatigeppa Minaji at the awards function in Banga lore on Monday. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday said the number of Rajyotsava awards would be limited from this year and given only to those who had made significant contribution in their respective fields.

Mr. Kumaraswamy, who presented the Directorate of Kannada and Culture awards, including the T. Chowdiah Award, to nine distinguished persons in the fields of arts and music here, noted that over a 100 people were given the Rajyostsava Award in 2005 and its value and prestige had come down. As many had lobbied for the award, the Government had decided to limit it to a certain number to protect its value and significance, he said.

The chairpersons of various academies had prepared a plan to conduct "Survarna Karnataka" celebrations across the State.

Secretary, Kannada and Culture, I.M. Vittal Murthy, would organise the celebrations this year as also the next, Mr. Kumaraswamy said.

He said none should aspire for awards. The awards would go to those whose contribution was recognised by society.

Rs. 10 cr. for celebrations

Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said Rs. 10 crore had been allocated in the budget to organise Suvarna Karnataka celebrations on a grand manner. Cultural and literary programmes would be conducted in all districts and border areas. A world conference on Kannada would be held in Belgaum. The Government had instituted the "Rashtrakavi" award with a purse of Rs. 10 lakh, and it would be given to a Kannada writer, he said.

Award winners

The Chowdiah Award for 2005 was presented to Hindustani singer and tabla player Dattatreya Sadashiva Garuda. The award is a national-level one presented every year to a musician.

The other award winners are veteran exponent of classical dance Leela Ramanathan (Shantala Natya Award), Gamaka player G.S.S. Kaushik (Kanaka-Purandara Award), theatre person Renukamma Murgod (Dr. Gubbi Veeranna Award), artist Vijaya Sindhura (Varnashilpi Venkatappa Award), musician Eshwarappa Ghatigeppa Minaji (Santashishunala Sharief Award), folk artiste Siriyajji (Janapadasri Award), sculptor C. Siddalingaiah (Jakanachari Award) and Kannada writer Veena Shanteshwara (Dana Chintamani Award).

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