Haveri: Never in his wildest dreams had Channabasappa Bendigeri, an 84-year-old folk drum artist, imagined that he would be chosen for the prestigious Rajyotsava Award. So, when he saw his name in the list released through the media on Wednesday morning, he couldn’t believe his eyes and ears.
“I am extremely happy that the government has recognised the age-old rural traditional art and my service in the field. I had not applied for the award. It came to me on its own. This award should encourage the co-artists and the younger generations involved in the art,” said Bendigeri, who hails from Masanakatti village in Hanagal taluk.
Bendigeri has been playing folk drum instruments in bayalata since the past six decades. He has performed in more than 500 shows including well-known platforms and TV shows.
Recognition for social service
Narayan Subray Hegde 87, who has been chosen for the Rajyotsava Award under the social service category, hails from Kundaragi in Uttara Kannada district.
Popularly known as NS Hedge, he has rendered yeoman service in the coopertaive sector. He has worked as a director in many cooperative societies including Totagar Society of Sirsi, APMC Yellapur, and Swarnavalli Maha Samsthan. Hegde has also worked extensively in the fields of education, literature, religion and politics. He was the first chairman of Uttara Kannada district Kannada Sahitya Parishat.