In a proud moment for the state of Karnataka, three distinguished personalities have been nominated for the prestigious Padma Awards in recognition of their exceptional service to the nation. Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh has been named for the Padma Bhushan in the field of Art, while Shri Ankegowda M and Dr. S. G. Susheelamma have both been honoured with the Padma Shri for their contributions to Social Work. These awards celebrate their lifework, spanning classical arts preservation, massive literary conservation, and grassroots humanitarian welfare.

Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh, from Bengaluru, is an acclaimed polymath who has single-handedly revived 'Avadhana', a unique and challenging classical Indian art form. The art tests extreme creativity and multitasking by requiring the performer to solve complex poetic challenges with extempore verses without using pen or paper. Born on December 4, 1962, in Kolar, Dr. Ganesh holds multiple degrees, including a D.Litt. in Kannada, and is fluent in ten languages, including Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali, Greek, Latin, and Italian. He has performed more than 1,300 Ashtavadhanas and 5 Shatavadhanas, and has conceptualized novel art genres like Kavya-Chitra-Gita-Nrtya and Ekavyakti-Yakshagana. A prolific author of over seventy books, he has also delivered more than 15,000 hours of online lectures on Indian cultural heritage. He is a recepient of the prestigious Rajyotsava Award of Karnataka.

Shri Ankegowda M, hailing from Pandavapura Taluk in Mandya District, has been awarded the Padma Shri for his extraordinary work as a knowledge conservator. Born on January 8, 1949, and holding a Master’s degree in Kannada Literature, he served as a Time Officer for 32 years before opting for voluntary retirement to dedicate his life to books. Over a period of nearly five decades, using his personal earnings, Shri Ankegowda has compiled a collection of more than 20 lakh books across diverse languages and subjects. His residence, popularly known as "Pustakada Mane" (House of Books), functions as a free public library for students, researchers, and competitive exam aspirants. He manages this vast literary sanctuary with no paid staff, supported only by his family. He was previously recognized with Rajyotsava Award in 2013 and the Limca Book of Records in 2017.

Dr. S. G. Susheelamma, affectionately known as "Amma," has been conferred the Padma Shri for her grassroots social welfare work over the last five decades. Born on May 24, 1939, she voluntarily left early employment to establish the Sumangali Seva Ashrama in Bengaluru in 1975. Starting with limited resources, she built an integrated institution that today provides shelter, free education, medical care, and livelihood training to thousands of abandoned children, distressed women, tribal communities, and elderly citizens. Beyond running residential hostels, schools, and health clinics, Dr. Susheelamma has spearheaded adult literacy campaigns, self-help groups, and the Vrikshamahadasoha environmental movement, which has planted over forty lakh saplings across Karnataka. She is a recipient of multiple prominent honours, including the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar National Award.

The recognition of these three stalwarts reflects Karnataka's deep cultural roots, intellectual excellence and unwavering spirit of humanitarian service.

 

*****

(Release ID: 2262338) Visitor Counter : 157