Dr. Vijayalakshmi Balakundri is a gifted student who has achieved 38 gold medals in her academic life and is a cardiologist. Not only is she an expert in cardiology, but she also has a compassionate heart. Besides alleviating the suffering of cardiac patients, her specialty lies in saving lives, which distinguishes her. She considers the medical profession as a calling and has successfully treated rare heart diseases by pioneering the use of devices and presenting her work at international conferences, bringing fame to India.
She holds the distinction of establishing the first cardiac treatment center in Karnataka, Southern India. She has gained fame for consistently delivering scientific lectures in Kannada at the H. Narasimhaiah Annual Science Congress. She takes pride in promoting the use of Kannada in the medical profession, evident from her lectures at the All India Kannada Literature Conference in Bidar and the World Kannada Conference in Belagavi.
Her services have been recognized through various awards, including the 2005 Vachana Pitamaha Dr. F. G. Hallkat Award, Dr. B. C. Ray Award, Basaveshwara Society Service Award (2007), Kadali Women’s Platform Kadali Award (2007), and the Smt. Savitramma De. Javaregowda Women’s Universal Award. She has also been honored internationally.
Dr. Vijayalakshmi Balakundri is not just a physician but also a writer. Alongside her contributions in research and experimentation in the field of science, she has authored several literary works. She has published works such as “Sharana Three Akka Nagamma” (novel), “Victory over Children’s Heart Disease,” and “Prosperous Karnataka Strong Heart.”
Her compassionate nature towards society, especially children suffering from ailments, has led her to conduct awareness campaigns against the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol consumption, collecting 10,000 signatures to submit a petition to the Governor.
Recognizing her dedicated service, the “Akhila Bharata Sharana Literary Foundation” and the “Ramanashree Foundation” are proud to present her with the “Ramanashree Sharan Lifetime Achievement Award” for her lifetime achievements in 2023.
Sneha Kappanna is a creative personality known for integrating the nuances of dance and stage, a talented dancer, choreographer, exponent of Bharatanatyam, actress, storyteller, folk dance artist, and researcher. She is the managing director and stage director of ‘Kappana Angala’, a theater group, and the organizer of ‘Katha Karnar’ for children, presenting famous stories on stage and managing the children’s stage platform.
She has presented over 600 performances abroad, earning recognition in Karnataka’s folk dance. She is a proficient female practitioner who has learned various folk dances, setting an example for male practitioners. She is revitalizing the research, documentation, training, and presentation of folk dances, ensuring their revival.
She holds a postgraduate degree in “Comprehensive Mental Reflection” from Bangalore University and degrees in Bharatanatyam and Alankara from Mysore University’s Kalakshetra and Miraj Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, respectively.
A disciple of renowned Bharatanatyam gurus B. Bhanumati and Sheela Chandrashekar, she made her stage debut in 1999. She has received experimental and critical acclaim for her efforts to adapt and innovate within the Bharatanatyam tradition.
In 2010, she conducted dance coordination at an event in New Jersey, USA. She organized a dance performance for 1000 children in a single dance drama at Kumaran’s School. She has won national awards for coordinating 250 folk artists for the Delhi International Art Festival, as well as for her contribution to dance in the hearing and visually impaired category.
Her ‘Brahmari Dance Reporter’ dance school has received excellent feedback in New York, Washington, and Los Angeles. She has received numerous state, national, and international awards.
Sneha Kappanna’s recent achievements include her innovative choreography and presentation of dance forms based on the poetry of Basavanna, spreading the richness of Vachana literature across the country. She choreographed a dance performance of 42 Vachanas, translated into Hindi, in a one-hour show. She and 24 trained dancers traveled 12,000 kilometers by bus, presenting 52 performances in 40 cities across 14 states.
Recognizing her service to the art of Vachana, the Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishat and the Ramanashree Foundation have awarded her the ‘Ramanashree Special Award’.
Dr. Veena Bannanje, a medical professional dedicated to understanding and treating the sensations of living, is the daughter of the eminent scholars Sri Bannanje Govindacharya and Smt. Ahalya. Apart from practicing medicine, Dr. Veena Bannanje is involved in various literary pursuits such as storytelling, essay writing, poetry, and drama. She is also engaged in activities like acting, directing plays, public speaking, and social service.
For some time, she has worked as a Kannada lecturer, as a principal, and as an executive director of the Rathabeedi Friends’ organization. Later, along with the distinguished literati and philosopher Satyakama, she embarked on a journey to the Himalayas. Following Satyakama’s demise, she served as the executive director of the Satyakama Foundation in Kallahalli, Jumakhandi taluk, Bagalkot district, engaging in literary, cultural, and public service activities. Her notable achievement includes the construction of a reservoir providing drinking water worth 80 lakh rupees to the village of Kallahalli.
Having received a Ph.D. in subjects like “Female Sensations in Akkamahadevi’s Vachanas,” “Exploring Tantra Marg in the Literature of Acharya Rajneesh,” and “Satyakamar’s Literature,” Dr. Veena Bannanje and P. H. Dian are esteemed intellectuals, deeply curious about spirituality, and have drawn attention to their unique intellectual pursuits.
They have authored several remarkable literary works such as “Akkamahadevi’s Demon,” “Akkamahadevi’s Path,” “A House Within the Street,” “The Darshan of Akka,” “Lokaanta,” “Vachana Trimurtis,” “My Thousand Days with Satyakama,” “Father Daughter,” “The Dream of Alertness,” and “Allopanishad.” Recognizing their literary contributions, they have been honored with numerous awards including the “Vachana Shree Award,” “Shri Shivaratri Ishwara Award,” “Kavyananda Award,” “M.K. Indira Award,” and the “Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award.” They have conducted various research studies on Akkamahadevi’s Vachanas. In this context, Dr. Veena Bannanje was honored with the “Akhil Bharat Sharan Sahitya Parishad” and the “Ramanashree Senior Class Award” from the Ramanashree Foundation in 2023.
Born on July 20, 1955, in Kundagol, Dharwad district, Basavaraj Sadar, originally a Hulambiyavaru, has had a keen interest in the teachings of Sharana and Vachana literature since his middle school days. With a passion for studying and researching on these topics throughout his academic journey, he completed his M.A. and later pursued a Diploma in Basava Studies, alongside which he adorned his profound thoughts on the history of Sharana revolution and the global significance of Vachana literature through various diverse writings.
Even after retirement, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he collaborated with his daughter Kavithatala to broadcast “Vachana Yana” on YouTube, the first-ever series of its kind in Kannada, followed by the creation and broadcasting of “Vachana Vaani” through Prajavani Podcast, reaching over six lakh listeners and creating a new history. Prof. S.S. Malavadi Prize, Kavyananda Prize, Jaraganahalli Basava Prize, Jnanadasohi Prize, and many other prestigious honors have been bestowed upon him for his relentless dedication to the study of the lives of Sharanas and Vachana literature.
The Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishat, through the Ramanashree Pratishthan, proudly honored him with the Ramanashree Senior Level Award in 2023, recognizing his outstanding achievements.
Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar
Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar was a prominent figure in the field of Hindustani classical music. Trained under the guidance of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi’s disciples, Sri Madhav Guddi and Sri Mallikarjun Mansur, as well as Pandit Panchakshari Swami Gotgittiyavar, he mastered the Kirana and Agra gharana styles. He earned a Master’s degree in History and Archaeology from Karnatak University, along with the prestigious ‘Sangeet Ratna’ title after six years of rigorous training. Recognized for his contributions to the development of Karnataka’s classical music, he was awarded the ‘Karnataka Kalashree’ by the Karnataka Music and Dance Academy in 2019.
Dr. Havaldar was a prominent vocalist known for his renditions of Kannada vachanas, Kannada bhajans, and Dasara pada. He infused various nuances of Karnataka’s culture into his music and was instrumental in popularizing Sharana’s vachanas in the Hindustani classical music tradition. His performances were featured in prominent cultural events such as Mysore Dasara, Hampi Utsav, and Kadambotsava. He received accolades such as the ‘Sangeet Ratna’ from Salt Lake City, Kolkata, ‘Aryabhata’ and ‘Nirmana Purandara Sangita Ratna’ from Bengaluru, and the ‘Sangeet Prashasti’ from the World Art Association in Chennai.
Omkarnath Havaldar
Following in his father’s footsteps, Omkarnath Havaldar was nurtured in a musical environment from a young age. He pursued higher studies in Psychology and trained under stalwarts of Hindustani classical music such as Pandit Madhav Guddi, Pandit Panchakshari Swami Gotgittiyavar, and Pandit Indudhar Nirodi. Despite his academic achievements, Omkarnath Havaldar remained deeply rooted in his musical upbringing. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Karnatak University and has quickly made a name for himself in the music industry. He received the ‘Kishore Pratibha Puraskara’ for his contributions to Karnataka’s culture. Additionally, he has been honored with the ‘Rashtra Prashasti’ by Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur and the ‘Rashtriya Prashasti’ by Vidwan T. Choudhary.
Both Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar and his son Omkarnath Havaldar have dedicated themselves to the promotion and preservation of Vachana Sangeeta. Their tireless efforts have earned them recognition not only in Karnataka but also internationally. In acknowledgment of their contributions, they have been awarded the prestigious ‘Akhil Bharat Sharana Sahitya Parishat’ and the ‘Ramanashree Hiriya Shreni Sharana Prashasti’ by the Ramanashree Foundation in 2023.
Basavadi Sharana.Driven by the desire to spread the message of Basavanna to the common people and every household in the country through his vachanas, a group of individuals founded the Akhila Bharata Vachana Sahitya Mattu Sanskritika Parishat (All India Vachana Literature and Cultural Council). This institution was born out of the ambition to touch the lives of people at every level and to disseminate the teachings of Basavanna. En. Timmappa, the founder of this institution, was inspired by the vachanas and the thoughts of numerous Sharana saints to establish an organization that would spread their messages far and wide.
Several mathas, respected organizations, and cultural institutions across the nation have contributed to the inspiration and motivation of Basavadi sharanaas through their vachana literature and cultural programs. The tireless efforts of En. Timmappa and others have ensured that the teachings of Basavanna and the vachana literature reach every corner of the state and beyond. Despite being lawyers by profession, they have dedicated themselves to the propagation of vachana literature throughout the state. Institutions like these play a significant role in serving society effectively.
This organization has already spread to 28 districts and 167 taluks in Karnataka. En. Timmappa, as the chairman of the organization, has organized numerous programs in all these districts and taluks, besides hosting seven state-level conferences. The achievements of En. Timmappa’s organization have been recognized by the Ramanashree Foundation, which conferred upon them the prestigious ‘Ramanashree Hiranya Shreni Sharana Prashasti’ in 2023, through the Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishat.
Honoring individuals who inspire and motivate others through their actions and achievements.
Dr. A. J. Shivakumar was born in a small village in Kadur taluk of Chikkamagaluru district. Coming from a family of cultured farmers, with his father Jayappa and mother Jayamma, he graduated from Madras University with a postgraduate degree. Currently, he serves as the Vice Principal of Sri Venkateshwara First Grade College in Chitradurga district.
Dr. Shivakumar has been interested in Vachana literature since childhood. Therefore, he submitted a dissertation on “Equality in Various Dimensions of Vachana Culture” and obtained a Ph.D. degree from Hampi Kannada University. Dr. C. T. Jayanna served as the guide for this dissertation.
He has participated in numerous national and international conferences and presented research papers. Apart from this, he has published many research articles on Vachana literature, including the nature and uniqueness of Vachana literature, the concept of equality in Vachana culture, work, servitude, and the idea of social justice in Vachana literature.
Recognizing the achievements of Dr. A. J. Shivakumar, the ‘Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishat’ and the ‘Ramanashree Foundation’ are proud to confer upon him the ‘Ramanashree Sharana Inspiration Award’ in 2023.
Mr. Devaraju P. Chikkahalli is a prominent figure at the forefront of modern Vachana literature, a playwright, poet, director of short films, artist, activist, and a proponent of societal causes.
Currently serving as the Vice-Principal and lecturer at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya College in Mysore, Mr. Devaraju is renowned for his tireless efforts in conducting over 200 workshops in schools and colleges across Karnataka, aimed at enlightening students about the principles and messages of Basavanna’s teachings through Vachana literature.
He has authored numerous modern Vachana collections such as “Vachana Deepige” and “Vachana Jyoti,” along with over 2000 modern Vachanas. Additionally, he has written poetry collections like “Hoo Cheluvi,” “Jati Illada Jyothi,” and “Jagada Jyothi,” and has directed short films like “Namma-Nimma Olageobba.” Notably, he has also authored a play called “Namma-Nimma Olageobba.”
Recognizing his multifaceted talent, Mr. Devaraju P. Chikkahalli has been honored with the “Adhunika Allama Award” by the Venkatagiri Publications and the Sadhaka Award by the Mysore District Kannada Sahitya Parishat. His contributions to the field of modern Vachana literature, steeped in intellectualism and societal relevance, have earned him the prestigious “Ramanashree Sharana Inspiration Award” from the Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishat and the Ramanashree Foundation in 2023.
Dr. Kumar Kanavi, originally from Kalyana Karnataka, was born on May 20, 1983, in the village of Kotturu in Ballari district. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Music and was selected as an ‘A’ grade artist and music director for Doordarshan and All India Radio.
He excelled in the Hindustani music division, securing first place in the state. He was also awarded as the winner of the Star Singer competition on Suvarna TV. He has performed music programs both within the state and outside, under the guidance of his gurus, Pandit Fakkirappa Kanavi (his father) and late Shanta Kanavi (his mother).
Dr. Kumar Kanavi specializes in singing Vachanas (profound sayings in Kannada) with distinctive and meaningful musical direction. Currently, he serves as a music teacher at the Morarji Desai Residential School in Bengaluru.
In 2000, he performed Vachanas in Telugu at the All India Sharana Sahitya Sammelana held in Hyderabad. In 2002, he provided musical direction for Vachanas written in Kannada, Hindi, and Marathi in Solapur. In 2004, he participated in various Basava Jayanti celebrations, conducting music and Vachana recitals in Mysuru, Bidar, and Bagalkot.
His achievements and service have been recognized with an honorary doctorate by the Indian Virtual University for Peace and Education.
In 2019, he organized the Vachana Vani series, setting 365 Vachanas to music over the course of a year, which garnered praise from over 500,000 listeners via Prajavani’s podcast.
Presently, he presents Vachanas with musical accompaniment titled “Sri Guru Vachanaprabha” daily, based on the compositions of Dr. Puttaraja Gavai.
Acknowledging his contributions, the Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishat and the Ramanashree Foundation conferred upon him the “Ramanashree Sharana Inspiration Award” in 2023.
Born on November 1, 1940 in Kalaburagi, they earned a degree from Dharwad University, a diploma from J.J. Lalit Art School in Mumbai, and started their own ‘Ideal Lalit Art Institute’ in Kalaburagi, serving as its principal for 7 years.
At Sri Sharana Basaveshwara Lalit Kala College, they served as lecturers and later as head of the Lalit Kala Division, retiring in 1998. From 2008 to 2011, they served as the President of the Karnataka Lalit Kala Academy.
Their relentless service to the field of fine arts has been recognized with numerous state and national awards. Particularly notable are the Karnataka Lalit Kala Academy Awards in 1968-1970 and 1980, the ‘Nadogoja Prize’ from Hampi University in 2004, and the ‘Honorary Doctorate’ from Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi in 2018. They were also awarded the ‘Lifetime Achievement Gaurav Fellowship’ by the Karnataka Lalit Kala Academy in 2018.
They have successfully conducted art camps for budding artists in Mumbai in 2009 and in Bhavnagar, Bangalore, Manipal, Chickmagalur, Nandi Hills, Hampi, Pune, and New Delhi in 2014.
From 1991 to 2002, they directed numerous Lalit Kala Shalas and Lalit Kala Academies in places like Kalaburagi, Mysore, Bijapur, and Bangalore. They also served as judges in many national Lalit Kala art exhibitions in places like Bangalore, Nagpur, Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal, and Hampi from 1984 to 2008. They have been commended for their role in organizing the “Experiences Mantap” painting festival by the Lok Sabha Speaker.
Another noteworthy contribution is their painting titled “Enemies’ children are not enemies. They are our children,” depicting English children brought as captives, which received recognition from UNESCO. They have also released many portraits of saints and paintings based on literature.
J.S. Khanderao, through his work with Nadoja J.S. Khanderao Foundation, has left a significant mark in the field of art. Recognizing their achievements, the ‘Akshara Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishat’ and ‘Ramanashree Foundation’ take pride in conferring upon them the ‘Ramanashree Sharana Inspiration Award’ in 2023.
Check out the moments captured from the award ceremony through pictures.
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