Shavamma Rathod, folk artiste, and Vitlappa Gorantli, journalist, from Koppal district received the prestigious Karnataka Rajyotsava award 2017 in recognition of their services in their fields.
Ms. Rathod, from Gorlekoppa village in the district, is known for her traditional lambani dance.
Apart from performing both in the district and in other parts of the State, she has been enthralling the audience at various cultural utsavs, including Mysuru Dasara.
As a resource person, she has also trained women in various Lambani Thandas in the district.
Mr. Gorantli has been in the field of journalism for the past four decades. He has served as reporter in different dailies and also has contributed to weeklies. In addition, he has penned 20 books, including four collection of poems.