71st Karnataka Rajyotsava (1 Nov): Rajyotsava Awards for 71 achievers

1 November 2026 · English Awards, Appointments & Persons

Topics: State Days, Railways, Awards, Culture & Trade · 1 November 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

Karnataka Rajyotsava (Kannada Rajyotsava), marking the formation of the enlarged 'Mysore State' by uniting Kannada-speaking areas on 1 Nov 1956, is celebrated for the 71st time on 1 Nov 2026 (70 years of the State). On 1 Nov 1973, under CM D. Devaraj Urs, the State was renamed 'Karnataka'. Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi announced on 30 Oct 2026 that 71 persons were chosen for the Rajyotsava Award, the State's second-highest civilian honour – including former Advocate General B.V. Acharya, A.C. Bhandary of Akhila Bharata Tulu Okkoota, Yakshagana artiste Gopala Ganiga, writer Dr Indira Hegde and politician Kagodu Thimmappa. Each gets ₹5 lakh and a 25-gram gold medal, presented on 1 Nov. CM D.K. Shivakumar congratulated them.

Key facts

Background

• History: Aluru Venkata Rao, called 'Karnataka Kulapurohita', pioneered the 'Karnataka Ekikarana' (unification) movement. Bellary district had already moved from Madras State to Mysore in 1953 when Andhra State was formed. Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar of Mysore was the enlarged State's first Governor (1956–64).
• Culture: the State song 'Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate' was written by Kuvempu (K.V. Puttappa) and adopted on 6 Jan 2004. 'Karnataka Ratna' was instituted in 1992 under CM S. Bangarappa; its first recipients were Kuvempu and Dr Rajkumar.
• Arts among the 2026 awardees: Yakshagana – a dance-drama of coastal Karnataka, with the northern 'Badagutittu' and southern 'Tenkutittu' styles. Tulu – a Dravidian language of coastal Karnataka and Kerala's Kasaragod area; it is not in the Eighth Schedule.

Tamil Nadu link: in the 1956 reorganisation, Kollegal taluk of Madras State's Coimbatore district was transferred to Mysore State (now in Chamarajanagar district). The Kaveri, Tamil Nadu's lifeline, rises at Talakaveri in Kodagu (Coorg), which merged with Mysore in 1956.

Source: The South First, Vartha Bharati, Prajavani, 30–31 Oct 2026; Wikipedia (Mysore State, Karnataka Ratna, Kollegal)

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