Kannada activist Ashok Chandaragi is going to receive a very special award this year. He has been selected for the Champa Sirigannada Award. This award is given to people who have worked hard for the Kannada language and culture. The award will be given to him on June 18 in Bengaluru. This is a proud moment not only for Ashok Chandaragi but also for all the people of Karnataka. He is a well-known person in Belagavi and has been working for many years to protect and promote the Kannada language. Many people respect him for his efforts.
The Champa Sirigannada Award is named after the famous Kannada writer Chandrashekhar Patil. He was lovingly called “Champa” by his fans and friends. He spent his life writing beautiful poems and books in Kannada. He also fought for Kannada rights and was an important figure in Karnataka’s literary world. The award is given in his memory to those who continue his work and love for the Kannada language. It honors people who give their time and energy to promote Kannada through writing, activism, teaching, or other efforts that help keep the language alive and respected.
Ashok Chandaragi has done many things to protect Kannada. He has written many articles, taken part in cultural events, and spoken at many public meetings. He always says that Kannada should be respected in every corner of Karnataka. He believes that schools, colleges, and government offices must use Kannada more. He has been a strong voice in Belagavi, which is a place where many people speak different languages. Still, he always worked peacefully to bring people together and make them understand the beauty of Kannada. His calm but powerful way of speaking has touched the hearts of many people.
The award ceremony will be held at Nayana Auditorium in Ravindra Kalakshetra. This is one of the most famous places in Bengaluru where cultural programs take place. The event will start at 4:30 in the evening. People from different parts of the state are expected to attend the program. There will be speeches, songs, and cultural performances before the award is given. The program will not only honor Ashok Chandaragi but also celebrate Kannada culture. It will be a happy evening where people will come together to show their love for the language and the people who serve it selflessly.
The event is being organized by the Karnataka Swabhimani Vedike. This group is known for protecting Kannada pride and giving support to Kannada activists. Shankar Hoogar, who is the president of the group, has taken great care to plan this event. He believes that people like Ashok Chandaragi must be honored while they are still active. Giving awards to people like him encourages others to also come forward and help the Kannada cause. The group believes that Kannada should grow in every field such as education, media, business, and science. They think language is not just for speaking but also for thinking and living.
The main guest at the event will be Baraguru Ramachandrappa. He is one of the most respected writers in Kannada. He has written many books, poems, and screenplays. He has also taught in colleges and universities. He will be giving the award to Ashok Chandaragi during the ceremony. His presence at the event is very special because he is also known for supporting the Kannada movement. When a great writer like him honors a social activist, it shows how art and activism come together. People are excited to see both these famous personalities on the same stage during the award ceremony.
Prof. Purushottam Bilimale will preside over the event. He is the Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority. His job is to make sure Kannada is used properly in government work and schools. He works to create more respect for the Kannada language in all walks of life. He has been working hard to spread Kannada culture among students and the younger generation. His support for the award ceremony adds more meaning to it. He has also spoken many times about the need for more people like Ashok Chandaragi. His presence will give strength to the message of the event.
Another important guest at the ceremony will be Meena Patil. She is the daughter of Chandrashekhar Patil, in whose name the award is given. She works as the Deputy Commissioner in the Labour Department. Even though she has a government job, she also shows a lot of love for Kannada literature and culture. She will attend the program to remember her father and see the award given in his name. Her presence will remind everyone of the great writer Chandrashekhar Patil. It will be an emotional moment when she sees another Kannada warrior being honored for continuing her father’s mission.
C.K. Ramegowda, the President of the Kannada Janshakti Kendra, will also be present. He is another strong voice in support of Kannada. His organization works to protect the rights of Kannada speakers. They also conduct programs to teach Kannada to people who have newly moved to Karnataka. His support for the award shows that many organizations are working together to protect and grow Kannada. This is not just one man’s or one group’s job. It needs the love and effort of many people. Events like this bring all these people together for a common goal of language pride.
Before the award is given, there will be some beautiful cultural performances. These will include Kannada songs, folk dances, and short plays. These performances are not just for entertainment but also to show how rich and beautiful Kannada culture is. The audience will get to enjoy traditional art forms that come from different parts of Karnataka. The cultural show is a reminder that language and art go hand in hand. Keeping the language alive also means keeping its music, dance, and stories alive. The performers will be local artists who want to express their love for Kannada on this big stage.
Many people feel that giving this award to Ashok Chandaragi is a perfect choice. He has worked for Kannada not to earn money or fame, but because he truly loves the language. Even when he faced difficulties, he did not stop his work. He always stood up when someone tried to insult Kannada. He gave interviews, wrote articles, and even joined protest marches. His fight was always peaceful and full of strong values. He believes that if we don’t protect our language, we will lose our identity. That belief made him continue his journey without asking for any rewards.
Young people can learn many lessons from Ashok Chandaragi’s life. In today’s world, many people are forgetting their mother tongue. English and other languages are important, but that does not mean Kannada should be ignored. Ashok Chandaragi has shown that you can love your own language and still live in the modern world. He uses simple words, speaks kindly, and teaches others without judging them. He wants young people to read Kannada books, speak in Kannada at home, and be proud of their roots. His message is that language is not just for speaking—it is the soul of our culture and history.
The Champa Sirigannada Award is not just a medal or a certificate. It is a message to all Kannada lovers that their work is respected and remembered. It shows that even if you are not a famous writer or a big leader, your work for Kannada can still be noticed. It motivates small workers, teachers, speakers, and volunteers who give their time to keep Kannada alive. When they see someone like Ashok Chandaragi getting an award, they feel happy and hopeful. It tells them that their love for the language is not going to waste and is being honored properly.
After the event, many newspapers and TV channels are expected to cover the story. This will help the message reach more people. Some young people who may not know about Ashok Chandaragi will get to learn about him. They will know that a person from Belagavi, far from the main cities, can also do big things for Kannada. It will also show that even government officials and famous writers are supporting the language. These kinds of stories give new energy to the Kannada movement. They bring people together and make them proud of who they are and where they come from.
The future of Kannada depends on such efforts. Awards like Champa Sirigannada show the path forward. They remind us that we need to teach our children the value of Kannada. We need to use Kannada in shops, schools, websites, and everywhere else. If people like Ashok Chandaragi can do so much with simple tools like speeches and articles, then we can also do our part. We can speak in Kannada at home, write messages in Kannada, and celebrate Kannada festivals. These small steps can keep our language alive for many generations. That is the real goal of this award.
The government must also support people like Ashok Chandaragi. They should give them platforms to speak, teach, and guide others. They should also include Kannada activists in planning and education boards. Their experience and knowledge are very useful. When the government shows respect for Kannada, the people will also feel more connected to the language. Giving awards is one way to do that, but more support is needed. There should be Kannada centers in every town, more Kannada books in libraries, and Kannada websites for students. These steps will help Kannada grow and stay strong forever.
Ashok Chandaragi’s journey is full of dedication. He did not wait for someone to tell him what to do. He saw the problems and decided to act. That is what makes him different. He worked silently but strongly. Today, his work is being recognized. The award is a celebration of his years of hard work. It is also a promise that the Kannada community will not forget its heroes. The award ceremony on June 18 will not just be a function. It will be a tribute to a man who gave his life to protect the heart of Karnataka—its language.
In the end, the story of Ashok Chandaragi and the Champa Sirigannada Award is not just about one person. It is about all the people who love Kannada. It is about unity, culture, and identity. It reminds us that we must protect our roots, and language is the first root of all. Whether we are students, workers, or leaders, we all can do something for Kannada. As we honor Ashok Chandaragi, let us also make a promise to do our part. Let Kannada live in our hearts, homes, and hopes. That will be the best award we can give to our land.