Records, Bengaluru (Bangalore)

Conservationists name ultra-rare leopard colour morph in Karnataka as ‘Sandalwood Leopard’. Spotted and Documented for First Time in Karnataka.

Internationally, leopards of this colour morph are referred to as ‘Strawberry leopards’ and have been sporadically recorded in South Africa and in Tanzania.

In a rare and significant wildlife record, an ultra-rare leopard colour morph has been documented for the first time in Karnataka, in Vijayanagara district, by conservation biologist and expert on leopards, Sanjay Gubbi and his team from the Holématthi Nature Foundation (HNF).

Most leopards (Panthera pardus) possess tawny coats with black rosettes. However, this exceptionally rare colour morph exhibits a pale reddish-pink coat—resembling the hue of sandalwood—with light-brown rosettes.

“This genetically unusual colouration is believed to result from a genetic condition involving either an excess of red pigmentation or a deficiency of dark pigmentation. To give the morph a native identity and reflect Karnataka’s cultural heritage, Dr Sanjay Gubbi has named it the Sandalwood Leopard,” a statement by the Foundation noted.

It added that internationally, leopards of this colour morph are referred to as ‘Strawberry leopards’. Globally, such individuals have been sporadically recorded in South Africa and on a single occasion in Tanzania, with only a handful of documented cases worldwide.

In India, Sandalwood Leopards are extremely rare. A single individual was previously documented from the Ranakpur region of Rajasthan in November 2021, making the Vijayanagara record only the second confirmed documentation from the country.

The Sandalwood Leopard recorded in Vijayanagara district is a female, estimated to be 6-7 years old, and was documented through camera trapping. In one of the images, the female was photographed with a cub that displays normal coat colouration and black rosettes.

“This leopard is consistent with conditions such as hypomelanism or erythrism, both of which are naturally occurring genetic traits identified in wild mammals. At present, this assessment is based on photographic evidence and visual characteristics. While these features are distinctive, definitive confirmation of the exact genetic mechanism would require molecular analysis using DNA from non-invasive samples such as scat or hair. Until such genetic evidence is available, it is scientifically appropriate to describe this animal as a rare colour morph rather than assign a specific genetic condition,” the statement quoted Sanjay Gubbi as saying.

Another well-known leopard colour morph observed in India is the melanistic (black) leopard, which is far more frequently reported than the Sandalwood Leopard.

The documentation was carried out by the HNF team comprising Sanjay Gubbi, Sandesh Appu Naik, Shravan Suthar, Poornesha H.C., Ruma Kundarkar, Ravichandra Velip, Dayanand Mirashi, Sumit Velip, Aishwarya Karanth, and Mayur Mirashi.

Camera trapping was conducted as part of HNF’s ongoing efforts to estimate leopard populations and identify key landscapes for large mammal conservation in the Kalyana-Karnataka region. This region remains under-studied from a wildlife conservation perspective yet holds significant potential for conserving arid-zone species such as the Indian grey wolf, striped hyena, and Bengal fox.

HNF’s research indicates that Karnataka supports an estimated ~2,500 leopards. The Foundation’s work has also led to several important discoveries, including the first-ever documentation of the honey badger in the state, the white morph of wild dogs, and range extensions of chinkara, dhole, and brown mongoose, among other significant findings.

source/content: downtoearth.org (headlines edited)

Karnataka records highest-ever organ donations in 2025, ranks third nationally

Officials say increase was driven by the empanelment of more hospitals as non-retrieval organ transplant centres, including in tier-two cities, along with sustained awareness efforts.

Karnataka’s State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO), the nodal agency that facilitates cadaver organ donations, has recorded 198 donations in 2025, the highest recorded in the State so far. This surpasses the previous peak of 178 donations in 2023. With this, Karnataka ranked third in the country in organ donations for the year, after Tamil Nadu with 267 donations, and Telangana with 205.

The steady rise in donations over the past five years reflects expanded hospital participation, growing awareness and improved systems, officials said. In 2024, the State recorded 168 donations, while the figure stood at 70 in 2021.

Principal Secretary (Health) Harsh Gupta told The Hindu that the increase was driven by the empanelment of more hospitals as non-retrieval organ transplant centres (NTHORCs), including in tier-two cities, along with sustained awareness efforts. “We are also felicitating donor families on January 26 and August 15 through the Chief Minister and Ministers, which has helped in building awareness and trust around organ donation,” he said.

Expansion plans

Mr. Gupta said the government now plans to expand the programme to taluk-level hospitals. “Doctors also need to be sensitised about declaring brain death. A lot more needs to be done. We are identifying where there is potential for donations and what the challenges are,” he said.

He pointed out that institutions such as NIMHANS see a significant number of cases where brain death could potentially be declared, but these opportunities are not being fully utilised. “This is a challenge. We had planned to place dedicated counsellors and earmark beds for potential brain-death cases, but these are not being used effectively. We will soon depute two dedicated grief counsellors there,” he said.

Tamil Nadu software

To improve transparency and efficiency, Karnataka SOTTO has adopted a software system already in use in Tamil Nadu. The platform tracks the entire process- from registration of patients, declaration of brain death to identification of eligible recipients from the waiting list and facilitation of transplants.

“Basic data entry has begun. Once a patient is registered, the queue system starts. All documents will be uploaded by hospitals and every step will be tracked online,” Mr. Gupta said.

Under the new system, once a donation is activated, alerts will be sent to the top 50 registered patients and empanelled hospitals. “Everything will be managed online and there will be transparency at every stage,” he said.

Cross-matching services

Karnataka has also decentralised cross-matching services, which earlier required patients to travel to Bengaluru.

The State has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bangalore Medical Services Trust (BMST) laboratory to provide cross-matching and HLA testing for eligible recipients in Mangaluru (Wenlock Hospital), Hubballi (KIMS), and Mysuru (K.R. Hospital). For each donation, the first five to 10 eligible patients will be called for matching, a process that takes five to six hours.

“Karnataka has considerable untapped potential for organ donation and the recent gains represent only a modest beginning. This trend now needs to be pushed much further,” Mr. Gupta added.

State missed 15 potential donations in 2025

Karnataka has missed 15 potential organ donations in 2025. This is mainly due to reluctance by families of potential donors and misconceptions surrounding organ donations.

Elaborating on the reasons, the officials said potential donations are missed sometimes because the identified donor is not fit to donate due to clinical reasons. Or, someone from the donor family/distant family/friends circle says no to organ donation and the next of kin do not have much say in taking a decision against the wish of those opposing it. Also, there are misconceptions surrounding organ donation.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Karnataka’s Bhoomi project, a governance success

The project offers lessons for other States rushing to digitise land records.

For decades, access to land records was one of rural India’s most persistent governance failures. Karnataka’s Bhoomi project, now completing 25 years, offers an instructive counterpoint showing how administrative reform can reshape the relationship between governance and the people.

Until the late 1990s, land administration in Karnataka relied almost entirely on handwritten records maintained by village accountants. Farmers seeking a Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC) often had to repeatedly visit revenue offices, navigate complex procedures, and rely on intermediaries. Errors in records were common, and corrections took months. In an agrarian State where land disputes routinely spilt into civil courts, the costs of administrative inefficiency were borne disproportionately by small and marginal farmers.

Launched in 2000, Bhoomi was a bold departure from this legacy. Its immediate goal was simple: computerise land records and make them accessible. Its greater ambition was to replace discretion with rules, delay with timelines, and opacity with transparency. The legal recognition of computerised RTCs and the abolition of handwritten records marked a historic shift. Over the last 25 years, more than 39.8 crore RTCs have been issued, fundamentally altering how land records are accessed across the State.

Many revenue officials were initially hesitant to abandon familiar manual systems. Karnataka responded with large-scale capacity building, training nearly 9,000 village accountants, 8,000 revenue inspectors, and 1,000 computer operators. The establishment of 204 Bhoomi Kendras at the taluk level enabled the digitisation of nearly 2.5 crore land records covering about 3.5 crore farmers. What followed was not merely digitisation, but a cultural shift within the administration.

Initially, the Bhoomi project in Karnataka began as a modest effort to computerise only manual RTCs. But today, it functions as a comprehensive digital ecosystem that integrates land and revenue administration with multiple welfare services. The integration of Bhoomi with the Kaveri registration system changed the face of land registration in Karnataka. By linking registration with land records, the State sharply reduced fraudulent transactions and eliminated middlemen. Mutation, once a source of endless delay, became automatic and transparent. Survey and boundary disputes, another chronic problem, were addressed through the introduction of the Mojini (Survey) software in 2007. For the first time, land measurement and survey processes were brought under a digital, time-bound framework. The 11E Sketch, a pre-conversion map introduced by Karnataka, further improved accuracy in land boundaries and area measurement. The result has been a visible reduction in land-related disputes.

Bhoomi’s evolution also reflects Karnataka’s broader approach to governance: using administrative reform to strengthen welfare delivery. Since 2016, crop compensation has been credited directly to farmers’ bank accounts, bypassing intermediaries. During the 2018 loan waiver programme, Bhoomi data enabled the waiver of loans for nearly 20 lakh farmers. The integration with PM-Kisan, the Agriculture Department’s FRUITS platform, and Aadhaar seeding of over 2.17 crore farmer accounts has improved targeting and reduced leakages. By ensuring accurate and up-to-date records, Bhoomi has helped convert entitlement on paper into benefits on the ground.

Perhaps Bhoomi’s most significant achievement is not technological but experiential. Farmers no longer have to travel from village to taluk and taluk to district offices for routine services. The scope for discretionary abuse has narrowed. The relationship between citizens and the revenue administration has become more predictable. In a State where land remains emotionally and economically central, this shift has strengthened trust in public institutions.

As Karnataka reflects on Bhoomi at 25, the project offers lessons for other States rushing to digitise land records. Technology alone does not deliver reform. Bhoomi worked because it was embedded in administrative restructuring, legal change, and continuous institutional learning. It shows that digital governance succeeds when it is incremental, inclusive, and grounded in local realities.

Dr. Kumara IAS is Deputy Commissioner, Mandya District

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Bengaluru Class 4 student Parinita B, enters India Book of Records as young author

Parinita sat with the editor as well as the illustrator to explain the kind of pictures required.

Parinita B, a 10-year-old from Bengaluru, has already earned a place in the India Book of Records as a young author. She is currently studying in Class 4 at NET Public School, Basavanagudi, and has authored a book titled ‘Tales by Pari’ published by Subbu Publications.

Her father, K Balaji, is a deputy general manager in BESCOM, and her mother, Dr Anusha R Gupta, is a dentist. Speaking to the TNIE, Balaji said, “We used to recite songs and children’s stories to Parinita, and that’s when she decided to write a story of her own. When she was eight years old, she started learning the meaning of different words and told us that she would write a book. I had told her to write at least 30 pages if it had to be published as a book of stories.”

He added, “She put all her efforts after school and started writing a book when she was 9 years old. However, when she completed writing it, we faced challenges in finding a publisher. Finally, Subbu Publications in Hubballi decided to publish the book. Parinita sat with the editor as well as the illustrator to explain the kind of pictures required.

We did not select pictures from the internet. They are all original and created by Parinita. A lot of children have bought the book and appreciated her work.”

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Bengaluru tops list as most welcoming city in India for women professionals

A recent study revealed Bengaluru as the best city in India for women to thrive professionally, based on factors like safety, career support, and participation.

Bengaluru is increasingly being seen as the most welcoming Indian city for women to build their careers and lives, a new study released on Wednesday has found.

According to the Top Cities for Women in India study conducted by workplace culture consultancy Avtar Group, Bengaluru has emerged as the country’s leading city for women professionals, The New Indian Express reported. Rounding out the top 10 are Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Gurugram, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Coimbatore.

The report introduces a long-term inclusivity index that evaluates how well cities support women through factors such as workforce participation, personal safety and professional advancement. It also highlights cities that can serve as benchmarks while outlining practices that could help organisations and policymakers improve women’s access to employment, said the report.

Researchers assessed 125 cities across India, comparing the latest findings with previous editions of the study. Rankings were determined using a composite City Inclusion Score, which combines both social and workplace-related indicators.

Social inclusion was measured using criteria such as quality of life, safety, women’s presence in the workforce and empowerment levels. Industrial inclusion, on the other hand, focused on the availability of women-friendly industries, career support systems and the concentration of gender-inclusive organisations, the report stated.

Bengaluru retained the top position in 2025 with a score of 53.29, driven largely by its strong professional ecosystem and career opportunities for women. Chennai followed with 49.86, while Pune (46.27), Hyderabad (46.04) and Mumbai (44.49) completed the top five.

The study also pointed out that while cities like Delhi, Gurugram and Noida performed well in terms of job opportunities and industrial growth, they scored lower on social factors such as safety, cost of living and ease of mobility, underlining that economic expansion alone does not guarantee inclusivity, as per the report.

In contrast, cities including Thiruvananthapuram, Shimla and Tiruchirappalli showed strong social indicators but lacked a robust industrial base, limiting large-scale employment options for women. Meanwhile, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune were highlighted for achieving a more balanced mix of social support and workplace opportunities.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headlines edited)

IISc Bengaluru develops nanozymes to prevent excess clotting

The team synthesised redox active nanomaterials of different sizes, shapes and morphologies through a series of controlled chemical reactions starting from small building blocks.

A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have developed a new method which will help control abnormal blood clotting conditions, including Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE).

The team from Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry have developed an artificial metal-based nanosyme that mimics the activity of natural antioxidant enzymes which help in clotting blood.

The research paper — Vanadia Nanozymes Inhibit Platelet Aggregation, Modulate Signaling Pathways and Prevent Pulmonary Embolism in Mice — published on May 11 was made public on Tuesday.

It explained that under normal circumstances, when a blood vessel is injured, specialised blood cells called platelets get activated and cluster together around the vessel to form protective blood clots. This process is known as blood clotting cascade (haemostasis). But when this does not happen in conditions like PTE or diseases like Covid-19, the oxidative stress and levels of toxic Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) increases, leading to over-activation of platelets. This triggers the formation of excess clots in the blood vessel, contributing to thrombosis, a major cause of morbidity and mortality.

The nanomaterials developed by the researchers mimic the activity of natural antioxidant enzymes and they control the ROS levels, thereby preventing the over-activation of platelets that leads to excess clot formation or thrombosis, the report stated.

The team synthesised redox active nanomaterials of different sizes, shapes and morphologies through a series of controlled chemical reactions starting from small building blocks. They then isolated platelets from human blood, activated them using physiological agonists, and tested how effectively the different nanozymes could prevent excess platelet aggregation, the researchers explained in the report.

Sherin GR, PhD student and co-author of the paper said, they found spherical-shaped vanadium pentoxide nanozymes were the most efficient. These material mimic a natural antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase to reduce oxidative stress.

“The unique chemistry of the vanadium metal is crucial because the redox reactions that reduce ROS levels are happening on the surface of the vanadium nanomaterial,” added G Mugesh, Professor, and co-author of the paper.

The team injected the nanozyme in a mouse model of PTE and found that it significantly reduced thrombosis and increased the animals’ survival rates. They also observed the weight, behaviour, and blood parameters of the animal for up to five days after injecting the nanozyme, and did not find any toxic effects, the report added.

Anti-platelet drugs that target thrombosis sometimes have side effects such as increased bleeding. “Unlike conventional anti-platelet drugs that interfere with physiological haemostasis, the nanozymes modulate the redox signalling and do not interfere with normal blood clotting. This means that they won’t cause bleeding complications that are a major concern with current therapies,” said Bidare N Sharath Babu, PhD student and another co-author.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Three Bengaluru-based institutions among winners of C-CAMP AMR Challenge 2024-25

C-CAMP received about 200 applications from innovators and start-ups across India for funding and ecosystem support to enable scale up, production, adoption and societal integration of winning solutions to tackle AMR in the environment.

Three Bengaluru-based institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), are among the winners of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) Anti-microbial Resistance (AMR) Challenge 2024-25.

C-CAMP said that the national AMR Challenge was launched in August 2024. They received about 200 applications from innovators and start-ups across India for funding and ecosystem support to enable scale up, production, adoption and societal integration of winning solutions to tackle AMR in the environment.

The nine winners

Of them, nine were declared winners of the C-CAMP AMR Challenge 2024-25.

The winners are:

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) for tackling AMR emergence through effluent treatment using robust catalytic enzyme mimetics. The MONZymes based technology, as developed by Dr. Subinoy Rana and his team, is capable of effectively degrading residual antibiotics from effluent wastewater and also exhibit antibacterial activity, through advanced (photo)catalytic activity.
Foundation for Neglected Diseases Research (FNDR) for developing a device to deplete antimicrobial residues from wastewater, using a cartridge-based device with a patented mixture of activated charcoal and plant-based materials.
Biomoneta Research Private Limited: qAMI (Quantitative Airborne Microbial Index) for coming up with a singular technology combining detection of air-borne total microbial load and pathogenic microbes in hospital set-ups, using AI/ML platform and encompassing different microbial attributes, combined with the classic microbiological approach.
D-NOME Private Limited for its D-NOME’s pocket PCR device, which can help in rapid and accurate on-field detection and identification of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (ARB) & Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) in aquaculture farms and other wastewater sources.
Vividew Innovations Private Limited for its novel innovation to remove residual antibiotics & antibiotic-resistant bacteria from wastewater in hospital sewage treatment plants (STPs).
Diagopreutic Private Limited for its detection of residual antibiotic and pathogen identification in water samples from aquaculture farm effluents, using a colorimetric method, based on the differential nitro-reductase activity of the bacteria and their ability to grow in presence of the specific antibiotic.
Mylab Discovery Solutions Private Limited for its rapid detection of pathogens from wastewater samples, and detection of environment-related ARGs. The technology involves an in-house developed nucleic acid extraction kit and an advance multiplexed quantitative RT-PCR technology, capable of identifying a diverse array of pathogens as well as an extensive spectrum of ARGs.
Huwel Life Sciences Private Limited: Quantiplus® Environmental Surveillance Kit for Real-Time PCR detection for typhoid and ARGs in environmental samples. The RT-PCR kit detects a wide spectrum of ARGs, as well as the typhoid specific gene along with its resistance genes.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeeth for the development of affordable POT (Point of Testing) device for monitoring of AMR in the environment, by an impedance-based microfluidic device, using a lytic phage-based detection technology. The innovation, as proposed by Dr. Bipin Nair and his team, is capable of detecting and identifying various pathogens of clinical relevance and can be used for rapid and accurate detection of specific bacteria.

Nature of support

The winners will be supported by C-CAMP in India in collaboration with the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) to foster the identification and development of world-class AMR-focused innovative solutions to tackle various aspects of AMR in the environment in India, and for the benefit of low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

“Antimicrobial resistance in the environment is a serious issue because of unchecked effluents from agriculture and industry reaching our water bodies, air and land. The problem has assumed alarming proportions across the entire world. I am heartened to see that innovators and scientists in India are developing cutting-edge innovations that hold promise not only in India and LMICs, but for the world,” said Prof. Ajay K. Sood, principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

YuvaSpark founder Akarsh Shroff of Bengaluru conferred National Youth Award

Recognition for his ‘commitment to improving quality of early childhood education at anganwadi centres in India’.

Akarsh Shroff of Bengaluru was conferred the prestigious National Youth Award on April 3 for his ‘commitment to improving quality of early childhood education at anganwadi centres in India’.

The award was conferred during a ceremony at Parliament House in Delhi by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya. The event was organised to honour award recipients of both this and the previous year. A total of 22 awardees were honoured across both the years.

The National Youth Awardis conferred by the Ministry of Youth Affairs to recognise the excellent efforts of youth working towards national development and social service. The prize recognises work in health, research, culture, human rights, tourism, education, sports, innovation, community service, by people under the age of 30.

Akarsh founded YuvaSpark as a 17-year-old high school student in 2018. The organisation has built technology platforms that have digitised learning at over 600 anganwadi centres across rural India. To enhance quality of education at anganwadis (early childhood education centres in rural India), YuvaSpark’s digital platform is periodically providing teachers with custom-curated interactive vernacular language academic content.

Apart from this, the organisation runs programmes to improve infrastructure at orphanages, enhance library infrastructure in government schools, and provide smart learning devices to special schools.

The organisation has impacted the lives of 3,46,000 children across 10 States by engaging over 700 volunteers from 35 institutions, and has raised ₹2.5 crore in funding from Amazon, BCG, Indian Oil, MNGL, SECI, and other companies.

After graduating from one of India’s most prominent institutions, BITS Pilani, in 2022, Akarsh opted out of placements and chose to devote his time to improving the quality of education for children in India.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

India Post pays tribute to Puneeth Rajkumar with special edition picture postcards on his 50th b’day

In a heartfelt tribute to late Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar, India Post has launched a special series of picture postcards to mark his 50th birth anniversary.

The commemorative postcards, featuring iconic moments from Puneeth’s illustrious career, were unveiled in the presence of his family members and senior postal department officials. The initiative aims to celebrate the actor’s enduring legacy and immense contribution to Kannada cinema.

Fans and well-wishers have welcomed the move, calling it a fitting tribute to the beloved ‘Power Star.’ Puneeth, known for his philanthropy and charismatic screen presence, continues to hold a special place in the hearts of millions.

The decision to name the road after Puneeth was approved by the government in recognition of his immense contributions to cinema and society. Former revenue minister R Ashoka had praised Puneeth’s philanthropic spirit, highlighting his selfless act of endorsing Nandini Milk, a Karnataka Milk Federation product, without charging a fee, solely to support farmers.

The inauguration event saw the presence of Puneeth’s family, including his brothers, Kannada stars Shivarajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar, along with his wife, Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar.

In another acknowledgment of his influence, prime minister Narendra Modi, during a gathering in Bengaluru in February 2023, invited Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar as a special guest. The event also featured prominent film personalities such as ‘KGF: Chapter 2’ star Yash, ‘Kantara’ actor-director Rishab Shetty, and Hombale Films producer Vijay Kiragandur.

Puneeth Rajkumar, the youngest son of Kannada cinema legend Dr Rajkumar, passed away on October 29, 2021. A versatile artiste who shined on both the big and small screens, he was equally admired for his charitable initiatives and humanitarian efforts.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Karnataka State Film Awards 2019: Sudeep wins best actor award, P Sheshadri’s ‘Mohandas’ best film

Actors Sudeep (for ‘Pailwan’) and Anupama Gowda (for ‘Trayambakam’) won the best actor awards.

P Sheshadri’s ‘Mohandas’, a biographical film following the events of Mahatma Gandhi’s childhood, topped the Karnataka State Film Awards, for 2019, winning the Best Film Award.

The Karnataka government on Wednesday, announced the list of winners.

Actors Sudeep (for ‘Pailwan’) and Anupama Gowda (for ‘Trayambakam’) won the best actor awards. Darling Krishna’s romantic drama ‘Love Mocktail’ and Y Srinivas’s ‘Arghyam’ are named as the second and third best films respectively.

Girish Kasaravalli’s ‘Illiralaare Allige Hogalaare’ has been presented with the Best Story Award for Jayant Kaikini. The film is an adaptation of Kaikini’s short story, ‘Haalina Meese’.

‘Love Mocktail’ also won the Best Screenplay Award; Baraguru Ramachandrappa for Best Dialogues (‘Amruthamathi’). The Beary-language film ‘Triple Talaq’ won the Best Film in Regional Language of Karnataka Award.

‘Elli Aadodu Naavu Elli Aadodu’ directed by G Arun Kumar and ‘Gopala Gandhi’ by Nagesh N have been picked as the Best Children’s Film and Best Film by a Debut Director, respectively.

While V Harikrishna won the Best Music Director award for ‘Yajamaana’, Raghu Dixit won the Best Playback Singer (male) award for ‘Love Mocktail); Jayadevi Jingama Shetty for Best Playback Singer (Female) for ‘Raga Bhairavi’

The Karnataka State Film Awards have been due since 2019. A committee was formed last year for the same.

The other awards include — Best Popular Film: ‘India vs England’ (Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar), Best Film on Social Causes: ‘Kanneri’ (Manjunath S), Best Editing: Basavaraj Urs (‘Jhansi IPS’), Best Art Direction: Hosmane Murthy (‘Mohandas’), Best Cinematography: G S Bhaskar (‘Mohandas’), Best Actor in Supporting Role (Male): Tabala Nani (‘Chemistry for Kariappa’), Best Actor in Supporting (Female): Anusha Krishna (‘Brahmi’), Best Child Actor (Male): Preetam (‘Minchulu’) and Best Child Actor (Female): Vaishnavi Adiga (‘Sugandhi’).

source/content: deccanherald.com (headline edited)