BENGALURU: Senior writer S L Bhyrappa, who has been selected for the Padma Bhushan award, was felicitated by Krishnaraja MLA S A Ramadass at the former’s residence at Kuvempunagar here on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhyrappa said, “The culture of Bharat has always inspired my novels and this culture has continuously grown. India was a republic earlier too in its own sense and most parts of the Constitution too were already in practice. Many countries won freedom, but there is no freedom there anymore. Our Constitution will protect our country”, he said.
Further, he said, “Because Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of the country now, I have got this award, otherwise I would not have got it. A writer may die, but as long as his works are in circulation, he will live on. If my works have that kind of strength, I will be happy”, he noted.
Foundation chairperson Sudha Murty, the other Padma Bhushan awardee from Karnataka, conducted ‘aarati’ for her at their house in KHB Colony in Jamakhandi. Sudha Murty was seated on the floor like a commoner and dropped offerings into the aarati place from a small purse.
Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, External Affairs Minister and Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna has been selected for the second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan along with five others.
Bidar’s Padma Shri awardee Shah Rashid Ahmed Quadri (67) has been involved in Bidri art right from his young age. In 2011, he even led the Karnataka tableau at the Republic Day parade at New Delhi.
Quardri, who has studied up o PUC, has previously won the Shilpa Guru award, Rajyotsava award among various others. He was felicitated during the Republic Day function on Thursday by the district administration on being selected for the Padma Shri award.
Veteran Thamate player Munivenkatappa, who is known as ‘Thamateya Tande’ (Father of Thamate), started playing the folk instrument from the Old Mysuru region at the age of 16. Hailing from a poor family in Pindipapanahalli, he now trains young and upcoming artists.
On Thursday, the Padma Shri awardee was felicitated during the Republic Day celebrations by the Chikkaballapur district administration. District in-charge Minister M T B Nagaraj and MLC Y V Narayanaswamy felicitated the folk artist.
In Madikeri, Padma Shri awardee Rani Machaiah was felicitated by district in-charge minister B C Nagesh at the Republic Day celebrations held at the General Timmaiah Grounds on Thursday.
The Ummathat folk dancer has been involved in promoting and preserving Kodava culture through dance. She is former president of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy and trains women in Ummathat folk dance.
Speaking to Public TV, she said, “I’m very happy to be selected for the award, but I don’t know how I was selected. I never imagined I would get such a big award, though I have won other state awards. I have got the award after promoting the dance form for 50 years. The award is also because of the efforts of the 10,000 children whom I have taught, and also their parents. I’m sure all my students too feel happy about this.
The other Padma Shri awardees from Karnataka include Khader Valli Dudekula (science and engineering) and S Subbaraman (Others-Archaeology).