Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 26: The Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy has announced its annual honorary awards for 2025 and 2026, recognising six personalities for their contributions to Tulu literature, research, folk arts, theatre and cinema.
For 2025, the awardees are Prof B Shivaram Shetty in the literature and research category, Kuddu Koraga in folk arts, and Usha Bhandary of Bengaluru in theatre and cinema.
For 2026, the awardees are K P Rao in literature and research, Nemu Parava in folk arts, and Sudhakar Bannanje of Bengaluru in theatre and cinema.
Each honorary award carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a memento. The award presentation ceremony will be held on October 4 at Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bengaluru, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy president Taranath Gatti Kapikad said.
Prof B Shivaram Shetty
Prof B Shivaram Shetty retired after serving as a faculty member at Mangalore University for 38 years. He obtained his PhD in 1993 for his research thesis titled 'Tulanadina Sasyajanapada', which was published by Hampi University.
He served as the joint chairman of the undergraduate and postgraduate Tulu studies departments at Mangalore University and headed the committees responsible for preparing Tulu textbooks and curricula.
Kuddu Koraga Pangala
Kuddu Koraga hails from Pangala in Innanje village of Kaup taluk in Udupi district. He has served as a traditional drum artist of Tulu Nadu for more than four decades.
Alongside continuing his traditional occupation, he is skilled in basket weaving. He is experienced in drum performances and singing Birdu songs. He also serves as a community leader for families belonging to the Koraga community.
Usha Bhandary
Usha Bhandary, who is based in Bengaluru, has been active in theatre and cinema for three and a half decades. She is known as an actress, director and acting coach.
She has played prominent roles in several Tulu plays and films and has also acted in Kannada theatre productions, films and television serials. She has additionally worked as a dubbing artist in numerous plays and films.
She has been selected for the award in recognition of her contributions to Tulu theatre and cinema.
K P Rao
Kinnikambala Padmanabha Rao, popularly known as K P Rao, is a pioneer in adapting Indian languages for computers.
In the 1990s, he undertook research into developing software for the Tulu script. The six-volume historical Tulu dictionary published by the Regional Research Centre (RRC), Udupi, was printed using a computer programme developed by him.
He was among the first to develop a typing programme based on a logical understanding of Tulu phonetics.
Nemu Parava
Nemu Parava hails from Keyyur village in Puttur taluk. He began serving as a Daiva dancer at the age of 16.
He has performed at prominent daivasthanas across Puttur, Kodagu, Sullia and Bantwal, offering ritual services to daivas such as Varnara Panjurli, Satyadevata, Pilichamundi, Rudrachamundi, Rakeshwari, Malaraya, Annappa Panjurli and Mayandale.
He has also performed at around 18 Brahma Baidarkala Garadis and more than 25 ancient Bhoota worship centres in the Puttur and Sullia regions.
Sudhakar Bannanje
Sudhakar Bannanje, originally from Bannanje in Udupi district, is currently based in Bengaluru. He has been active in theatre and cinema for four decades and is known as a producer, director, playwright, screenwriter and lyricist.
He has written 64 Tulu plays and 24 Kannada plays and has acted in hundreds of stage productions and films.
He has produced several Tulu television serials and short films for Doordarshan and private television channels. He has also served as a guest Yakshagana artist with various troupes.