In celebration of Karnataka’s 70th formation anniversary, the state government on Thursday announced the Rajyotsava Awards 2025, honouring 70 eminent personalities from diverse walks of life.
According to the Indian Express, the list includes actor Prakash Raj, former Indian hockey captain Ashish Ballal, retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice PB Bajantri and Air Marshal Philip Rajkumar, who played a crucial role in India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft programme.
Each awardee will receive Rs 5 lakh along with a 25 gram gold medal. The announcement was made in view of Kannada Rajyotsava, which is celebrated on November 1 every year to mark the unification of the Kannada-speaking region in 1956.
Here is the full list of Karnataka Rajyotsava Award 2025 winners:
Film and Television: Prakash Raj, Vijaylakshmi Singh
Folklore: Basappa Bharamappa Chowdmi, B. Takappa Kannur, Sanningappa Sattappa Mushennagola, Hanumanthappa Marappa Cheelangi, M. Topanna, Somanna Dundappa Dhanagonda, Sindhu Gujaran, L. Mahadevappa Udigala.
Medical: Dr Alamma Maranna, Dr Jayaranganath
Science & Technology: Ramaiah, Air Marshal Philip Rajkumar, Dr R. V. Nadagowda.
Literature: Prof Rajendra Chenny, Tumbadi Ramaiah, Prof R. Sunandamma, Dr H. L. Pushpa, Rahmat Tarikere, H. M. Pujara.
Theatre: H. M. Paramashivayya, L. B. Sheikh (Master), Bangarappa Khudanpura, Mime Ramesh, D. Ratnamma Desai.
Music: Devendrakumar Pattar, Madivalaiah Sali.
Media: K. Subramanya, Anshi Prasanna Kumar, B. M. Hanif, M. Siddharaju.
Sports: Ashish Kumar Ballal, M. Yogendra, Dr Zabina N. M. (Yoga).
Social Work: Solgatti Eramma (103 years), Fakkiri, Corinne Antoinette Rana, N. Sitarama Shetty, Konandur Lingappa.
Education: M. R. Jayaram, N. S. Ramegowda, S. B. Hosamani, Raj Nagaraju
Judiciary: Justice P. B. Bajantri.
Administration: H. Siddaiah (retd IAS).
Non-Residents: Zachary Bajpe (Saudi Arabia), P. V. Shetty (Mumbai).
Dance: Prof K. Ramamurthy Rao.
Agriculture: Dr S. V. Hittalamani, M. C. Rangaswamy.
Environment: Ramegowda, Mallikarjuna Ningappa.
Painting: B. Maruti.
Crafts: L. Hemasekhar.
Cooperation: Shekar Gowda V. Malipatil, Yakshagana, Kota Suresh Bangera, Irabile Anand Shetty, Krishna Parameshwar Hegde (KP Hegde) Bayalata, Gunduraj.
Miscellaneous: Umesh Pambada, Dr Ravindra Korishetter, K. Dinesh, Shantaraju, Jafar Mohiuddin, Panna Obalaya, Shanti Bai K, Pundalika Shastri (Budabudake).
PM Modi on Kannada Rajyotsava
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings on the 70th Kannada Rajyotsava on the social media platform X, calling Karnataka ‘’an embodiment of the spirit of progress rooted in wisdom and culture.’’ He also hailed the state’s people for their industrious and innovative spirit.’’
Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed wishes, calling Karnataka as ‘’home to a rich legacy of art, learning and innovation.’’
This year’s celebration honours Karnataka’s journey from linguistic unification in 1956 to its emergence as a hub of science, innovation and culture.