Nine distinguished individuals from Karnataka have been conferred the Padma Awards for 2025, announced by President Droupadi Murmu on January 26.
Violin maestro L Subramaniam has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honours, for his contributions to music.
The Padma Bhushan has been awarded to legendary actor Anant Nag for his significant impact on cinema, music composer and Grammy winner Ricky Kej, and journalist and educationist A Surya Prakash, former chairman of Prasar Bharati.
The Padma Shri has been awarded to five individuals from Karnataka for their contributions to diverse fields. Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar, 81, has been recognised for his work in preserving Gondhali folk music and storytelling, a tradition he has upheld for over six decades. Known as the "Bhisma of Gondhali music," Sugatekar has dedicated his life to reviving this ancient art form.
Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane, a pioneering oncologist from Kalaburagi, has been honoured for her work in cancer care and research. Belonging to the Madiga community, Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane has been a key figure in the field of oncology, particularly in breast cancer treatment.
At 96, Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyatara has been recognised for her contributions to Togalu Gombeyaata, Karnataka’s traditional leather shadow puppetry. Hailing from Koppal, she is one of the first women to practise this art form and has spent more than seven decades depicting epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Prashanth Prakash, the founding partner of Accel India, has been recognised for his contributions to the Indian startup ecosystem.