List of Karnataka Ratna Award Winners

Table of Contents

• What is the Karnataka Ratna Award?
• List of Karnataka Ratna Award Winners
• Facts About the Karnataka Ratna Award
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What is the Karnataka Ratna Award?

The Karnataka Ratna is the most prestigious civilian award in the state of Karnataka, India.

This award is given to honour a person whose contributions have been exceptional in any field. The accolade is a prestigious civilian award instituted by the Government of Karnataka in 1992, under the presidency of then-Chief Minister S. Bangarappa.

There is no formal checklist for selecting recipients of this award or determining its significance. Patterns among the awardees indicate that only those who demonstrate rare excellence and have statewide relevance are deserving of this honour. Recipients are selected for their outstanding achievements in various domains, such as:

• Music
• Cinema 
• Politics
• Science
• Medicine
• Education
• Literature, and 
• Social service unites exceptional merit and enduring influence. 

Here is a glimpse into the history and establishment of the Karnataka Ratna Award:

Karnataka Ratna is the state's pinnacle of public recognition, symbolised by exemplary service, cultural impact, and a timeless legacy. The highest civilian honour has been conferred on twelve prominent citizens so far.

List of Karnataka Ratna Award Winners

Here is a detailed overview of the Karnataka Ratna award winners, including the most recent laureates from all categories:

Source: 

Karnataka Ratna Award List in PDF

Download the complete Karnataka Ratna Award List (PDF)

*Note

According to the sources, on September 11, 2025, the Cabinet decided to confer the State’s highest civilian award, ‘Karnataka Ratna’, posthumously on popular Kannada film actors Vishnuvardhan and B. Sarojadevi.

Let's learn in more detail about the prominent personalities who received the Karnataka Ratna Award from 1992 to 2025:

Kuvempu was the first recipient of the Karnataka Ratna Award in 1992 (29 December 1904 – 11 November 1994)

Kuvempu (Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa), who is also known as Rashtrakavi, was the first Kannada writer to win the Karnataka Ratna Award and the Jnanpith award/Jnanapeeta Prashasti. 

He penned the State Anthem, “Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate”, and he is also renowned for his evocative poems on a range of topics.

Apart from poetry and novels, Kuvempu was an insightful playwright. His best novels include ‘Kanuru Heggaditi’ and ‘Malegalalli Madumagalu’ and an epic, ‘Sri Ramayana Darshanam’. 

Read More: Kuvempu: Karnataka’s Iconic Poet and Jnanpith Award Winner.

Dr Rajkumar (24 April 1929 – 12 April 2006)

Dr Rajkumar is regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema. His birth name was Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj; later, the director gave him the stage name Dr Rajkumar. This versatile actor worked as both an actor and a singer in Kannada cinema. He began his profession as a dramatist, where he acquired all his acting and singing skills.

Bedara Kannappa was his first movie with a lead role, and his first independent Kannada movie was "Ranadheera Kantheerava." This movie was made exclusively with pure Kannada technicians and cast, which succeeded in a big way.

Dr Rajkumar acted with the most popular heroines and with many directors in southern Indian cinema, and his character depictions ranged from 

• Comedy to action
• Lover to double to triple roles
• Mythological characters are used for the portrayal of modern-day social causes.

In his lifetime, Dr Rajkumar has acted in around 200 Kannada movies. In addition to acting, he has produced movies and owns a production company.

Overall, Dr Rajkumar was a role model for millions of Kannadigas, and he was the first actor in the Indian film industry to get a doctorate for acting from Mysore University. Some of his endearing and award-winning films across genres include:

• Gandhada Gudi (1973)
• Mayura (1975)
• Shankar Guru (1978)
• Keralida Simha (1981)
• Shravana Banthu (1984)
• Ade Kannu (1985)
• Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma  (1986)
• Devatha Manushya (1988)
• Jeevana Chaitra (1992)
• Odahuttidavaru (1993)
• Aakasmika (1994)

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S. Nijalingappa (10 December 1902 – 8 August 2000)

S. Nijalingappa, or Siddavanahalli Nijalingappa.

S. Nijalingappa was the fourth Chief Minister of the Mysore state from 1956 to 1958 and from 1962 to 1968. Along with being a key political figure, S. Nijalingappa was a lawyer by profession, a prominent leader in India's freedom struggle, and an Indian Congress Party politician. 

His contributions were significant to the Indian independence movement and the Karnataka Unification movement. He passed away at the age of 97 on 8 August 2000 at his residence in Chitradurga.

C. N. R. Rao

Prof. C.N.R. Rao Bharat Ratna, D.Sc., Ph.D., FRS, Hon. Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and Honorary President of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, 

Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao is an Indian chemist and the National Research Professor. He also holds the position of honorary president at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, where he is recognised as a highly accomplished theoretical chemist. 

• He is also serving as an Honorary Professor at the Indian Institute of Science
• His areas of research are solid-state and materials chemistry
• His professional affiliations include participation on editorial boards of renowned journals as well as distinguished visiting professorships at the Universities of California and Cambridge.

Prof. C.N.R. Rao is a part of many of the major science academies throughout the world, including the Royal Society, London; the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A.; the Academy of Sciences of France and Russia; and more. 

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Devi Shetty

Devi Prasad Shetty, or Devi Shetty, is an Indian cardiac surgeon. He is well known as the chairman and founder of Narayana Health, a chain of 24 medical centres in India. His specialisations include cardiovascular surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and paediatric cardiology.

Being the best cardiac surgeon in the world, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, with more than 36 years of experience, has performed over one lakh heart operations, out of which forty thousand have been performed on children. 

Dr Devi Prasad Shetty was the first person to initiate the concept of “Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme”, for the Karnataka government, which was later launched by the then Chief Minister of Karnataka, Mr S.M. Krishna, on June 1st, 2003.

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Bhimsen Joshi (4 February 1922 – 24 January 2011)

Bhimsen Joshi, a Hindustani classical vocalist of the Kirana gharana (musical style), was renowned for his powerful voice, breath control, and emotive performances.

Bhimsen Joshi was born into a family from the Madhva Brahmin community, and at an early age, he displayed an affinity for music, being drawn to the harmonium and the tanpura. 

Joshi started his career in 1941 and released his first album on the His Master’s Voice (HMV) label in 1942. In 1943, he gained recognition for his voice and technical mastery while he was working as a radio artist in Mumbai. 

Joshi recorded several movie songs and produced numerous devotional albums in his In his capacity as a playback singer, Joshi has released several albums. Between 1964 and 1982, Joshi performed in many countries, including Afghanistan, Canada, France, Italy, the United States, and more, introducing Hindustani classical music to a wider audience.

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Shivakumara Swami (1 April 1907 – 21 January 2019)

Shivakumara Swami was a Veerashaiva religious figure. He was an Indian humanitarian, an educator, a spiritual leader, and a legendary centenarian. In the year 1930, he joined the Siddaganga Matha, which was established by Sri Haradanahalli Gosala Siddeshwara Swamigalu during the 15th century at a village near Tumkur, Karnataka, India.

Later in 1941, Shivakumara Swami was promoted to head seer. He also founded the Sri Siddaganga Education Society, which is described as the most esteemed adherent of Veerashaivism.

His interest in religion began in childhood. After finishing his primary schooling, the swami was inducted into the Siddaganga mutt, and he took over its leadership in 1930. Later, he earned a bachelor’s degree in arts from Central College in Bangalore and was proficient in English, Kannada, and Sanskrit.

Under his guidance, the Siddaganga mutt provided anna (food), akshara (education) and ashraya (shelter) to lakhs of people from economically deprived backgrounds. Along with the Math students, visitors and pilgrims coming to the Math also receive free food.

Shivakumara Swami was referred to as the walking God (Nadedaaduva Devaru) in the state. During his tenure, he has managed more than 1100 educational institutions throughout Karnataka. The Lingayat seer, Siddaganga Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, passed away on January 21, 2019, at the age, mutt officials say, of almost 112 years.

Even today, the mutt exhibits those principles of simplicity and service. Additionally, the school and colleges on the premises provide free food and education to 8,500 students.  

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Javare Gowda (6 July 1915 – 30 May 2016)

Devegowda Javare Gowda was popularly known as “De Ja Gow”.  He was a significant personality in the development of contemporary Kannada culture and a renowned Kannada writer. He has worked in various fields, such as biography, folklore, literary criticism, textual criticism, translation, and travelogue. 

Once, after obtaining his M.A. degree in Kannada from the University of Mysore, he became a lecturer and occupied various academic and administrative positions at the university, such as:

• The Secretary
• Publication Wing
• Assistant Professor of Kannada
• Controller of Examinations
• Principal of Sahyadri College, Shivamogga
• Reader, Professor, Head of the Department of Kannada, and Director at the Institute of Kannada Studies, Manasagangotri.

Later in 1969, D. Jagare Gowda became the vice chancellor of Mysore University and continued his constructive activities from that position. His contributions to Karnataka stem from the academic, administrative and agitational roles he has played for almost seven decades

Prof. Javare Gowda wrote over 130 books across multiple genres, as well as hundreds of articles in journals and periodicals.

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Veerendra Heggade

Dr D. Veerendra Heggade or Dr Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade

Dr D. Veerendra Heggade has a multidimensional personality: Dharmaadhikari, Reformer, Educationist, Philosopher, and Philanthropist. In July 2022, he was nominated as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha. 

• Dr D. Veerendra Heggade is an Indian philanthropist and the hereditary administrator of the Dharmasthala Temple in the Indian state of Karnataka
• Dr D. Veerendra Heggade has been administering the temple and its properties, which are held in trust, since he was 19 years old, starting on 24 October 1968
• Driven by his passion for the betterment of mankind, Dr D. Veerendra Heggade has gone beyond his responsibilities
• During the past 48 years, he has implemented numerous socio-economic initiatives to address a variety of issues, including illiteracy, religious intolerance, poverty, unemployment, social stigma, and a lack of medical assistance.

Dr D. Veerendra Heggade or Dr Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade

Dr D. Veerendra Heggade has a multidimensional personality: Dharmaadhikari, Reformer, Educationist, Philosopher, and Philanthropist. In July 2022, he was nominated as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha. 

• Dr D. Veerendra Heggade is an Indian philanthropist and the hereditary administrator of the Dharmasthala Temple in the Indian state of Karnataka
• Dr D. Veerendra Heggade has been administering the temple and its properties, which are held in trust, since he was 19 years old, starting on 24 October 1968
• Driven by his passion for the betterment of mankind, Dr D. Veerendra Heggade has gone beyond his responsibilities
• During the past 48 years, he has implemented numerous socio-economic initiatives to address a variety of issues, including illiteracy, religious intolerance, poverty, unemployment, social stigma, and a lack of medical assistance.

Dr D. Veerendra Heggade is the president of the SDME Society, and Dharmadhikari took on the tremendous responsibility at the tender age of 20. Since the very beginning, Dr Heggade has not only fulfilled the traditional role of a Dharmadhikari (chaturdanas, or four charities: Annadana, Abhayadana, Aushadhadana, and Vidyadana). He has also modernised these danas to suit changing times and needs. His multidimensional personality truly defines his contribution, which is his determined and consistent service to the nation. 

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Puneeth Rajkumar (17 March 1975 – 29 October 2021)

Puneeth Rajkumar, more commonly known as Appu, was associated with Kannada cinema as an actor, television presenter, playback singer, film producer, and philanthropist. He was the youngest child of Dr Rajkumar, a well-known actor. He started his career in the Kannada film industry when he was six months old.

Puneeth Rajkumar, the star of Kannada cinema, worked on more than 30 films and also received the national award for "the best child artist" earlier in his career.

Some of his endearing films across genres include:

The 23rd Chief Minister of the Karnataka state, Basavaraj Bommai, posthumously conferred the prestigious Karnataka Ratna Award on the late actor Puneeth Rajkumar, which was presented during the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava on November 1, 2022.

B. Saroja Devi (January 7, 1938 – July 14, 2025)

Full Name: Bangalore Saroja Devi.

B. Saroja Devi, a multilingual star, began her career in Kannada. She was known for her expressive eyes, regal presence, and graceful saree-clad performances. In addition to being the first South Indian to star in a full-length colour film, she also acted in over 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. She was being considered as a "lucky mascot" for MGR films.

Overall, B. Saroja Devi acted in 26 hit films with M.G.R. and 22 back-to-back blockbusters with Sivaji Ganesan.

Along with her acting, she was known for her humility, kindness to co-workers, and generosity toward struggling artists. Some of the blockbuster Kannada films of B. Saroja Devi include:

• Bhagyavantaru 
• Kittur Chennamma
• B. Saroja Devi acted with prominent actors, including Rajkumar in Kannada, Dilip Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, and Shammi Kapoor in Hindi, N.T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao in Telugu, and Sivaji Ganesan and M.G. Ramachandran in Tamil.

She distinguished herself by acting alongside notable actors such as Rajkumar, Shivaji Ganeshan, and MG Ramachandran.

Dr Vishnuvardhan (18 September 1950 – 30 December 2009)

Sampath Kumar, known by his stage name Vishnuvardhan, was a popular cultural icon of Karnataka. 

A renowned star, Vishnuvardhan, acted in over 200 films and was popularly called Dada by fans; he also received the title "The Angry Young Man of Kannada Cinema".

He was also known as “The Phoenix of Indian Cinema”. Some of his endearing films across genres include

• Nagarahaavu (1972)
• Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu (1974)
• Sahasa Simha (1982)
• Bandhana (1984)
• Karna (1986)
• Muthina Haara (1990)
• Yajamana (2000)
• Apthamitra (2004)
• Aptharakshaka (2010) and more.

Dr Vishnuvardhan had a career spanning over four decades. Along with these Kannada movies, he featured in more than 200 films and won the Filmfare award for Kannada films four times. Vishnuvardhan also acquired the title of 'Saahasa Simha'. He has also acted in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. He passed away on December 30, 2009. 

Facts About the Karnataka Ratna Award

Here are some fascinating facts about the Karnataka Ratna Award and prominent personalities who have received it.

• The Karnataka Ratna Award may be conferred posthumously.

• Kuvempu wrote the Karnataka state anthem, “Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate”.

• The Karnataka Ratna represents the highest level of respect in the state, embodying its most profound honour.

• The state's highest civilian award was given to Dr Rajkumar in 1992 for his contributions to the entertainment industry, making him one of the first recipients.

• In 2022, Puneeth Rajkumar received posthumous honours for his philanthropy and efforts to raise awareness about organ donations.

• As mentioned before, all recipients of the Karnataka Ratna award receive a gold medal weighing 50 grams, a citation, a memento, and a shawl.

• In 2007, Shivakumara Swami was honoured with the Karnataka Ratna Award for his extensive social service work and dedication to education.

• The Karnataka Ratna Award showcases role models whose journeys encourage younger generations to pursue creativity, excellence, and service with purpose.

• The state’s highest civilian award, the “Karnataka Ratna”, was posthumously conferred on the late Kannada actors, reflecting respect for their lifelong legacies that still influence Karnataka. These late Kannada actors include:

• Puneeth Rajkumar
• Dr Vishnuvardhan
• B. Saroja Devi.

Conclusion

The Karnataka Ratna, the state's highest civilian award, symbolises exemplary service, cultural impact, and an enduring legacy. The state bestows this highest award on individuals whose work has significantly influenced culture, knowledge, and public life.

This award recognises excellence and service in a wide range of fields, including literature and cinema, science, education, and social services.

As a symbol of heritage and ambitious futures, this award honours achievements while encouraging future generations to contribute creatively and with integrity.

Stay tuned with JAIN PU College to learn more about Karnataka's famous literary authors, poets, the Karnataka Ratna award winners, and more.