UNI

Bangalore, Oct 31: Dwarakeesh and Hansalekha (cinema), Vasant Kusthagi (literature), K N Shanthakumar (media) and Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Uthappa (sports) were among the 50 recipients of the coveted Rajyotsava awards for the year, selected by the Karnataka Government.

Robin Uthappa and Venkatesh Prasad

Announcing the list of awardees to reporters here on Monday, Kannada and Culture Department Principal Secretary I M Vittalamurthy said the State was celebrating its golden jubilee year of formation this year and had selected 50 persons and institutions from 25 fields for the award in recognition of their contribution to the State.

A Committee had selected the 50 awardees from out of 1,000 recommendations it had received. The award comprised a gold medal weighing 20 gm, a citation and a shawl, he added.

Stating that the awards would be given away on November one, the Rajyotsava Day, in the city, he said the golden jubilee year celebrations would begin with an Air Show, followed by the function at the Chinnaswamy cricket stadium. The Rajyotsva awardees along with 49 Ekikaran awardees would be felicitated at the function, he added.

Vittalamurthy said Governor T N Chaturvedi, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (S) President H D Deve Gowda and other dignitaries would take part in the programme.

He said the department would conduct cultural programmes, with about 5,000 artistes and school children participating in it. At least 40,000 people were likely to attend the function.