Overview

• Karnataka Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi announced the selection in an official statement on September 20.
• The honour is part of the Nada Habba Dasara cultural programme administered by the Department of Kannada and Culture.
• A committee chaired by musician Y K Muddukrishna made the selection for this year’s award.
• The award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a memento and a citation.
• Venkatesh Kumar, from Lakshmipura in Ballari district, is acclaimed for Hindustani classical renditions associated with the Kirana and Gwalior gharanas.