Karnataka Janapada Academy announces 2024 akademi awards; 30 artists, two experts to be honoured
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Janapada Academy has announced the 2024 Janapada Akademi Awards, honoring 30 folk artists, one from each district, with the annual honorary award and two experts with the Janapada Expert Award. Gollahalli Shivaprasad, president of the Janapada Academy, made the announcement during a press conference held at the inner hall of Kannada Bhavan on Saturday.
The awardees include prominent folk artists such as Dr. Jogila Siddharaju (Tattvapada and Gigipada), Siddaya C.H. (Dollukunita), M. Mahesh (Kolata), Sunandamma (Arevadya-Tamate), Venkataramanappa (Kinnari Jogi), and Siddappa (Davanagere Bhajan). Other recipients include Martandappa (Hagaluvesha), A. Srinivas (Hase Chittar), Gouramma (Leather instrument), Manjunath (Folk artist), Hurugalawadi Ramaiah (Kolata), B.T. Manava (Bhajan), B.P. Parameshwarappa (Tamburi Pada), Siddharaju R. (Dakshina Kannada Paddan), Jayanthi (Folk singer), N. Ganesh Gangolli (Tribal Kolata), and S.R. Saroja.
Additionally, Chaudaki Pada artist Kamala Maragannavara, folk singer Prabhu Basappa Kundaragi, Vijayapura Dollu dance artist Somanna Dundappa Dhangonda, Karadi Majalu artist Gangappa M. Karadi, Halakki Suggi dance artist Ganapu Badava Gowda, traditional pada artist Girijavva Hanumappa Banakara, daytime costume artist Dr. Govindappa Ramachandrappa, and Tattvapada artist Boramma have also been honored with the annual award.
Folk singer Maruthi Koli, Tattvapada artist Yallamma, bhajana artist H. Chandrashekar Hadapada, Hagaluvesha artist K. Shankarappa, and Tattvapada artist Gopanna are among the other recipients of the annual folk honor award.
In the expert category, Dr. Mailahalli Revanna of Mysore has been awarded the Dr. G. Shampa Award, while Dr. Venkatesh Indwadi of Vijayanagar has received the Dr. B.S. Gaddi Math Award.
The artists receiving the annual folk honor award will be awarded Rs. 25,000 each, while the folk experts will receive Rs. 50,000. Along with the cash prize, the awardees will be honored with a souvenir, shawl, garland.
The award presentation ceremony for the 2023 and 2024 awardees will be held on March 15 at the Bidar Theatre.
Kannada and Culture Department Minister Shivaraj Thangadigi, Forest Minister Eshwara Khandre, and other dignitaries are expected to attend the event.
Karnataka Janapada Akademi Registrar S. Namrata, along with members Dr. Umesh, Shankranna Ramappa Sankannavara, Rangappa, Kenkere Mallakarjuna, C.N. Manjesh Chennapura, and Dr. Hulikunte Murthy, were present at the press conference.
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Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
