BENGALURU: Historian and writer Ramachandra Guha and noted singer K J Yesudas are among the 62 personalities selected for the Rajyotsava awards for 2017 . Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree announced the list of awardees on Monday. Besides their individual contribution s to the field, service to society and district-wise representation ha ve been taken into account for the list.
Bengaluru-based Guha recently threw his weight behind the Karnataka flag issue, at the Bangalore Literature Festival. “The yellow and red flag of Karnataka does not threaten the nation. A state flag does not lead to the republic of Karnataka,” he had said, adding, “Love for your city or State does not mean you don’t love your country. In fact they complement each other and are not opposed.”
Yesudas, who rendered many hit songs in Kannada like the title track of Ramachari apart from Nammoora Yuvarani, Sharade Daye Thoride from Malaya Marutha and Nanondu Theera from Arunaraga, also was a regular at the sangeetha sabhas in Bengaluru. Actor-politician Mukhyamantri Chandru, another awardee, was also chairman of the Kannada Development Authority. In the sports category, Sahana Kumari is the current national record holder in high jump.
The awards would be presented at the Rajyotsava awards felicitation ceremony to be held at the Ravindra Kalakshetra here on November 1.