Awards in Kannada Literature

Karnataka

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Summary of Major Awards in Kannada Literature

Award NameNotable Winners
Gnanapitha AwardK.V. Puttappa (1967), D.R. Bendre (1973), K. Shivaram Karanth (1977), Masti Venkatesh Iyengar (1983), V.K. Gokak (1990), U.R. Ananthamurthy (1994), Girish Karnad (1998)
Karnataka RatnaK.V. Puttappa, Dr. Rajkumar (1992), S. Nijalingappa (1999), C.N.R. Rao (2000)
Central Sahitya AcademyK.V. Puttappa (1955), D.R. Bendre (1958), K. Shivarama Karanth (1959), M. Gopalakrishna Adiga (1974), S.L. Bhyrappa (1975), P. Lankesh (1993), Girish Karnad (1994), Chandrashekara Kambara (1991)
Pampa AwardK.V. Puttappa (1987), K. Shivaram Karanth (1989), P.T. Narasimhachar (1991), G.S. Shivarudrappa (1997), D. Javare Gowda (1998), Chennaveera Kanavi (1999), Chandrashekara Kambara (2003)
Rajyothsava AwardRecognizing contributions in literature, arts, and culture, awarded to over 1,466 individuals as of 2004.
Dana Chintamani Attimabbe AwardT. Sunandamma (1995), Shantadevi Malavada (1996), Vaidehi (1997), Kamala Hampana (1998), Sara Abubakar (2001), Geetha Nagabhushana (2002)
Jaanapada Shree AwardS.K. Karim Khan (1994), Kamsale Mahadevaiah (1995), Chittani Ramachandra Hegde (2003)
Karnataka Sahitya AcademyAnnual awards recognizing Kannada literature contributions.
Tulu Academy AwardKedambadi Jattappa Rai (1995-96), Sunitha M. Shetty (1997-98), Amrita Someshwara (1998-99), U.P. Upadhyaya (1999-2000), Sushila Upadhyaya (2000-2001)

Gnanapitha Award Winners

The Jnanpith Award is India’s highest literary honor, and several distinguished Kannada writers have been recognized with this prestigious award:

  1. K.V. Puttappa (1967)
  2. D.R. Bendre (1973)
  3. K. Shivaram Karanth (1977)
  4. Masti Venkatesh Iyengar (1983)
  5. V.K. Gokak (1990)
  6. U.R. Ananthamurthy (1994)
  7. Girish Karnad (1998)

Karnataka Ratna Award Winners

The Karnataka Ratna is the highest civilian honor in the state, awarded to individuals for their exceptional contributions to various fields, including literature:

  • K.V. Puttappa and Dr. Rajkumar (1992)
  • S. Nijalingappa (1999)
  • C.N.R. Rao (2000)

Central Sahitya Academy Award Winners

The Central Sahitya Academy recognizes literary excellence in various Indian languages, including Kannada. Some notable Kannada authors who received this award are:

  • K.V. Puttappa (1955)
  • R.S. Mugali (1958)
  • D.R. Bendre (1958)
  • K. Shivarama Karanth (1959)
  • V.K. Gokak (1960)
  • A.R. Krishna Shastri (1961)
  • Devudu Narasimhashastri (1962)
  • B. Puttaswamaiah (1964)
  • D.V. Gundappa (1967)
  • Masti Venkatesh Iyengar (1968)
  • M. Gopalakrishna Adiga (1974)
  • S.L. Bhyrappa (1975)
  • K.S. Narasimhaswamy (1977)
  • G.S. Shivarudrappa (1984)
  • P. Lankesh (1993)
  • Girish Karnad (1994)
  • Chandrashekara Kambara (1991)
  • M.Chidananda Murthy (1997)
  • Shantinatha Desai (posthumous 2000)
  • L.S. Sheshagiri Rao (2001)

Pampa Award Winners

The Pampa Award is one of Karnataka’s highest literary honors, named after the renowned Kannada poet Adikavi Pampa:

  1. K.V. Puttappa (1987)
  2. K. Shivaram Karanth (1989)
  3. P.T. Narasimhachar (1991)
  4. M. Gopalakrishna Adiga (1993)
  5. G.S. Shivarudrappa (1997)
  6. D. Javare Gowda (1998)
  7. Chennaveera Kanavi (1999)
  8. K.P. Purnachandra Tejasvi (2001)
  9. Chandrashekara Kambara (2003)

Rajyothsava Award Winners

The Rajyothsava Award, presented annually on Karnataka Rajyotsava (State Formation Day), honors individuals for their contributions to Kannada culture and literature. As of 2004, a total of 1,466 individuals had been honored.

Dana Chintamani Attimabbe Award Winners

This award is dedicated to recognizing women’s contributions to Kannada literature:

  1. T. Sunandamma (1995)
  2. Shantadevi Malavada (1996)
  3. Vaidehi (1997)
  4. Kamala Hampana (1998)
  5. Mallika (1999)
  6. Sara Abubakar (2001)
  7. Geetha Nagabhushana (2002)

Jaanapada Shree Award Winners

Recognizing folk literature and contributions to Kannada folklore, this award has been given to notable figures, including:

  1. S.K. Karim Khan (1994)
  2. Kamsale Mahadevaiah (1995)
  3. Takkalike Vitthala Rao (2000)
  4. Chittani Ramachandra Hegde (2003)

Karnataka Sahitya Academy Awards

The Karnataka Sahitya Academy annually honors writers, scholars, and contributors to Kannada literature and culture.

Tulu Language and Literature

Tulu is an ancient Dravidian language spoken mainly in the Dakshina Kannada district and parts of Kerala. The Karnataka government has actively promoted Tulu through lexicons, textbooks, and research initiatives. The Tulu Academy, established in 1994, continues to encourage literary development.

Tulu Academy Award Winners

Some of the notable Tulu Academy Award winners include:

  • Kedambadi Jattappa Rai and Mandara Keshava Bhat (1995-96)
  • Sunitha M. Shetty, Suryanatha U. Kamath, K.N. Tailor (1997-98)
  • Amrita Someshwara, Venkataraj Punichittaya (1998-99)
  • U.P. Upadhyaya, Sadananda Suvarna (1999-2000)
  • Sushila Upadhyaya, P.S. Rao, B.S. Rao (2000-2001)
  • K.V. Ramesh, B.A. Viveka Rai, Malpe Ramadasa Samaja (2001-02)

Conclusion

Kannada literature has flourished over centuries, enriched by the contributions of many eminent scholars, poets, and writers. These prestigious awards highlight their invaluable impact on Karnataka’s cultural and literary heritage. With ongoing governmental and institutional support, Kannada literature continues to thrive, preserving its rich tradition while embracing modern influences.

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