Kagodu Thimmappa
Born on Sept 10, 1932, in Kagodu, Sagar taluk in Shivamogga district, which was the pivotal centre for socialism, the 94-year-old leader entered politics and was elected to the assembly from Sagar segment five times. He first entered the House in 1972 and represented the Samyukta Socialist Party. An elated Rangaraju, who was a heritage conservation committee member from 2004 to 2020, said he is happy. The 75-year-old, who was a Mysuru Heritage Conservation Committee member, has been actively participating in debates and awareness campaigns with regard to conservation of heritage. Rangaraju, son of NS Narayanappa, completed his BSc in 1975, post-graduation in ancient history and archaeology in 1977 and PhD in art history in 1987, and has 40 years of experience in teaching and field research experience. For 40 years, R Swamy Anand, who has received the Rajyotsava award for his contributions to the field of agriculture, has focused on farming and developed a biodiversity-rich forest-farming system on his six-acre land in his native Konegouda’s Hundi (KJ Hundi) in HD Kote in Mysuru district. The progressive farmer has cultivated over 200 varieties of trees and crops, including coconut, arecanut, banana, cocoa, mango, sandalwood, coffee, rubber, along with millets and vegetables. The 61-year-old worked as a journalist for two decades before he devoted his whole time to farming. Hailing from the Malnad district of Shivamogga, Sumathi’s association with theatre began at the age of 10, as she grew up in her father’s drama company. Internationally acclaimed Nadaswara exponent Narayanaswamy, 67, from Arasikere in Hassan district, has been selected for the 2026 Karnataka Rajyotsava Award. He has dedicated nearly 50 years to preserving and promoting the traditional musical art inherited from his ancestors.
He launched a campaign for chemical-free farming and expanded celebrated farmer Subhash Palekar’s ideas beyond Karnataka to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
He said it was Sagar MLA Gopal Krishna Belur who informed him of the award a couple of hours ago. “My farming activism has been recognised,” he stated, adding: “I have also been focusing on inspiring millions of farmers to shift to zero budget natural farming from conventional agricultural practices.”KR SumathiNoted theatre personality KR Sumathi, who has dedicated over four decades to theatre and social awareness, has been selected for the prestigious Karnataka Rajyotsava Award. Expressing happiness over the recognition, Sumathi said the award was a great encouragement and a recognition of her decades of dedicated work in the field of theatre. She said she was delighted that her commitment to theatre and its role in bringing about social change had received govt recognition. Expressing happiness, Narayanaswamy said he had pursued music with dedication and sincerity since childhood. He said his family had maintained the musical tradition for four generations, including his great-grandfather, grandfather, himself and his son.
Noted socialist activist and former minister Kagodu Thimmappa started his activism through the famous Kagodu Satyagraha, which was against land tenancy. Heavily influenced by socialist ideals, he spent decades fighting for the rights of tenant farmers, playing a pivotal role in ensuring tillers became land owners. Later he joined Congress, an association he has continued till date. He handled various departments as minister, including social welfare and revenue, and also served as Assembly Speaker. Remarkably active, Thimmappa takes a walk twice daily at his home town of Sagar to maintain his robust health. Currently he is serving as convener of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage. Driven by her passion for the performing arts, she pursued formal training through a one-year diploma course at Ninasam in Sagar and furthered her studies at National School of Drama. On returning to Karnataka, she dedicated herself to strengthening the state’s theatre movement. Through Janamana Samskrutika Sangha, she has been using theatre as a powerful medium to create social awareness, particularly among women and youth in rural and backward regions. Her initiatives focus on issues such as domestic violence, women’s rights, girl-child education, child marriage, health awareness and the importance of education. She believes participatory theatre is more effective than conventional lectures in helping communities understand and respond to social issues. He has performed across Karnataka, other states and abroad, introducing the ancient art form to younger generations. He pledged to continue teaching Nadaswara music to younger generations and preserving the traditional art form. He also thanked the people of Arasikere for their blessings and support.
He had earlier served as a professor in the department of ancient history and archaeology at University of Mysore and as special officer at Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion and museum of University of Mysore for over three decades. Ready for his regular evening walk at his residence on Friday evening when TOI approached him, he expressed happiness over the award.