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A consummate painter, he was deeply involved with organisations such as Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha and Dalita Sangharsha Samiti.

K.T. Shivaprasad, an internationally acclaimed artist, social activist, photographer, and architect, passed away on Tuesday (June 30, 2026). He was 78.

Mr. Shivaprasad, a resident of Hassan, recently underwent surgery for a kidney infection and recovered. However, as he developed a breathing problem on Saturday (June 27), he was admitted to a hospital in Bengaluru. He breathed his last around 10 a.m. on June 30, according to family sources. He is survived by his wife, Suvarna.

Born on July 5, 1947, Mr. Shivaprasad was drawn to painting during his student days at Ramakrishna Ashrama in Mysuru. He enrolled to pursue a B.E. degree at Malnad College of Engineering in Hassan, but abandoned engineering to study at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai.

Upon returning to Hassan, Mr. Shivaprasad spent considerable time at his father’s farmhouse on the city’s outskirts, where he painted extensively. He gradually began engaging with farm workers and villagers — interactions that would profoundly influence his artistic direction.

Majorly influenced by writer Poornachandra Tejaswi and M.D. Nanjundaswamy, founder of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Mr. Shivaprasad gradually transformed into a farmers’ activist. He subsequently travelled extensively with the KRRS, deepening his understanding of agricultural crises, land dispossession, and the rights of cultivators.

Architectural legacy

During his involvement with the farmers’ movement, Mr. Shivaprasad pursued architecture and photography parallelly. Many of the widely circulated photographs documenting the farmers’ movement and rural struggles were captured by Mr. Shivaprasad, establishing him as both a visual chronicler and participant in these campaigns.

His architectural practice began when Tejaswi commissioning him to design a residence. Among Mr. Shivaprasad’s most celebrated architectural works is Kavishaila, a memorial to Kannada poet and cultural figure Kuvempu at Kuppali in Tirthahalli taluk. In conception and execution, Kavishaila embodies the philosophy of Aniketana (an unfettered, free spirit), the essence of Kuvempu’s literary and spiritual legacy.

According to artist Babu Eshwar Prasad, a long time associate of Mr. Shivaprasad, he was a skillful artist ahead of his time. “After graduating from the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mr. Shivaprasad initially pursued experimental abstraction. As he engaged more deeply with rural communities and farmworkers, his approach shifted towards figurative realism, depicting the lives and faces of people in his immediate surroundings,” he said.

Away from gallery networks

In the initial years, paintings of rural subjects earned him widespread recognition, and his works were exhibited in major galleries and acquired by collectors at substantial prices. “Gradually, he distanced himself from the gallery network. For a few years, he devoted his complete time to the Raitha Sangha,” said Mr. Eshwar Prasad.

In his later years, Mr. Shivaprasad developed a deep engagement with Buddhist philosophy and aesthetics.

For Dalit rights

Despite working with KRRS and Dalit Sangharsha Samiti for several years, he gradually distanced himself from the former and chose to identify himself with the latter. DSS (Ambedkarwada) founder Mavalli Shankar said, “He stood like a pillar for the organisation. Despite his background in a wealthy industrialist family, Mr. Shivaprasad was an unwavering advocate for Dalit rights and social justice.”

Another organiaation he was associated with was Odanadi Seva Trust in Mysuru, a non-government organiaation working for the rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking.

His family sources said that his mortal remains will be kept in the Kannada Sahitya Parishat premises in Hassan between 10 a.m and 1 p.m on Wednesday (July 1) for people to pay their last respects. The final rites will be held in the city later in the day.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Senior news photographer and internationally acclaimed photographer Astro Mohan has been conferred the prestigious PPSA (Proficiency Photographic Society of America) distinction by the Photographic Society of America (PSA), USA, one of the world’s most respected photographic organizations.

The PPSA distinction is awarded to photographers who demonstrate consistent excellence and achievement through their performance in PSA-recognized international exhibitions and photographic salons across the world.

With more than three decades of dedicated service in photojournalism and visual storytelling, Astro Mohan has established himself as a widely recognized photographer from Karnataka. His work has documented significant events, human-interest stories, culture, spirituality, sports, and social issues, earning recognition in numerous national and international exhibitions.

The achievement is particularly noteworthy as only a limited number of News photographers from Karnataka have earned this prestigious distinction from the Photographic Society of America.

Astro Mohan currently serves as a senior news photographer in a news publication. Over the years, he has also made significant contributions to photography education, visual documentation projects, coffee-table books, international salon photography, and photographic mentoring.

His distinctions and honours include PPSA, APSA, AFIAP, HON FSWAN, HON EUSPA, HON FICS, FIIPC, AFIP, ASOF, and APCA, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Astro Mohan said that the PPSA distinction represents not merely a personal achievement, but the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance, continuous learning, and passion for photography.

He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to PSA, his family, mentors, fellow photographers, friends, and well-wishers whose encouragement and support have been instrumental in his journey.

Astro Mohan also conveyed his sincere appreciation to Udayavani, the institution that has been his professional home for nearly three decades. He acknowledged the opportunities, encouragement, and support extended by the management, editors, colleagues, and staff members over the years.

“I remain deeply grateful to Udayavani for providing me with the platform to pursue my passion for visual storytelling. This recognition is not mine alone; it reflects the encouragement and support I have received throughout my professional journey. The PPSA distinction inspires me to continue documenting meaningful stories and striving for excellence in photography,” he said.

The PPSA distinction was officially conferred by the Photographic Society of America on June 17, recognizing Astro Mohan’s sustained excellence and achievements in international photography.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Six-year-old Ansh Sagar Patte from Bengaluru has brought laurels to India by securing two medals at the JIRTA International Skating Competition held in Indonesia on May 30 and 31.

Ansh, son of Sagar Patte and Kavita Acharya, delivered an impressive performance against competitors from several Asian countries, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Pakistan, China and Japan.

The young skater clinched a silver medal in the 400m Sprint and a bronze medal in the 500m+D Sprint, emerging as one of India’s standout performers at the event jointly organised by the Speed Skating Federation of India and JIRTA, Jakarta.

A student of the Professional Roller-Skating Academy (PRSA), Bengaluru, Ansh’s success reflects months of dedicated training and hard work. Despite his young age, he has already made a mark on the international stage through his determination and talent.

Ansh trains under the guidance of Imran Khan, a multiple-time national gold medallist and head coach of PRSA. His achievement has been hailed as an inspiring example of how discipline, perseverance and passion can help young athletes excel in competitive sports.

Family members, coaches and well-wishers have congratulated the young skater for his remarkable accomplishment and for making both Karnataka and the country proud on the international stage.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

The Academy has formed a committee comprising academicians and researchers, and they will be publishing a book on the lives of the freedom-fighters from Karnataka titled ‘Yaaroo Ariyada Veeraru’.

“59 persons from Karnataka, who were part of the 1857 rebellion, were imprisoned in the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. We don’t want their names to be erased from the chronicles of India’s freedom struggle,” says L.N. Mukundraj, president of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy.

Aiming to study the lives of these incarcerated people, the Academy has formed a committee comprising academicians and researchers. Soon, they will be publishing a book on their lives titled ‘Yaaroo Ariyada Veeraru’.

The Cellular Jail in Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was used by the British to exile freedom fighters and political prisoners who had to endure brutal and inhumane conditions.

Committee set up

Mr. Mukundraj explained, “We formed a committee led by writers and historians K.P. Suresh and Vijay Poonacha to study those from Karnataka who died in ‘Kala Pani’, as the punishment was called.” In the State Budget 2026-27, former chief minister Siddaramaiah had announced the publication of such a book.

The committee comprises 15 persons, of which eight will collect documents, and seven will do the fieldwork. The documentation team will search for documents in places that were earlier part of the Bombay Presidency. “Dharwad district is one place where we might find the details of many of these freedom fighters in government archives and libraries. The majority of them hailed from Nargund town in Gadag district.”

South Indians forgotten

Mr. Suresh added that those from southern India rarely figure in the annals of the freedom struggle. “These 59 persons incarcerated in Cellular Jail were mostly from north Karnataka and Uttara Kannada district,” he said, adding that often only big names like Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar are highlighted while talking of those who suffered in Cellular Jail.

Some of these individuals were part of the rebellion of Halagali Bedas in 1857-58, from the village of Halagali near Mudhol. Writer Latha Guthi has published a book on the theme, called Kari Neeru. “This book is a source for us. Our field team and documentation team will head to different places in Karnataka to find such sources. We have decided to put up banners in the villages of these freedom fighters urging people to come forward, and tell us if they know anything, or have documents,” said Mr. Suresh.

Some names…

Among the 59 persons from Karnataka imprisoned in Cellular Jail were Balakrishna from Bidar, Gopal Bhandari from Karwar, Faras Khan from Nargund, Bikaji Ganesh Gokhale from Nargund, Vitu Gawli from Karwar, and Abdulla Moiuddin from Nargund.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Access Life, a registered Indian not-for-profit organisation committed to ensuring that no child has to abandon cancer treatment due to non-medical challenges, has announced the opening of its new ‘Home Away from Home’ (HAH) centre in Manipal for paediatric Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) patients.

The centre was inaugurated on May 23 at the MAHE campus, Manipal, and will support families of children undergoing treatment at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal.

The inauguration was presided over by Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, with Dr Ashok Gavande, philanthropy India Lead, Chellaram Foundation, Mumbai, as the chief guest, and Dr Anand Venugopal, chief operating officer, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, as the guest of honour.

The event also saw the presence of; Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal; Dr Anil K Bhat, dean, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal; Harinarayan Sharma, chief executive officer, Manipal Foundation and, Dr Vasudeva Bhat K, professor & head, department of Paediatric Oncology, Kasturba Medical College & Hospital, MAHE, Manipal; Girish Nair founder & chairman and Ankeet Dave, co-founders & executive director of Access Life Assistance Foundation were present on the occasion.

The newly launched 10-unit facility has been specially designed for children undergoing Bone Marrow Transplant procedures, where maintaining a safe, hygienic, and controlled environment is critical due to severely compromised immunity levels during treatment and recovery.

This marks Access Life’s second centre in collaboration with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), further strengthening the shared commitment towards holistic paediatric cancer care and family support services beyond hospital infrastructure.

The initiative is also supported by Chellaram Foundation, a global not-for-profit organisation focused on long-term, impact-driven philanthropy across healthcare, education, humanitarian aid, and child welfare initiatives.

Sharing thoughts on the collaboration, Chellaram Foundation said: “Access Life Foundation stands out for its deeply compassionate and highly organized approach toward supporting children and families battling cancer. Their commitment goes far beyond providing accommodation — it creates dignity, stability, and hope during some of the most difficult moments in a family’s life. At Chellaram Foundation, we value institutions where compassion is matched by accountability, and Access Life exemplifies both. We are confident that every contribution made toward their mission translates into meaningful and lasting impact.”

Dr H S Ballal, pro chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, said, “At MAHE, we have always believed that healthcare goes beyond medical treatment. Supporting children and families during difficult times is deeply aligned with the values and vision of our founder, Dr T M A Pai, who believed that compassionate and accessible healthcare should reach every section of society. We are happy that MAHE could support this meaningful initiative by providing the space for the center, which will help create a safe and caring environment for children undergoing Bone Marrow Transplant treatment. This collaboration reflects MAHE’s larger commitment towards holistic and humane healthcare, where medical excellence is complemented by emotional, social, and family support systems. Facilities like these significantly reduce the burden on families while helping children continue their treatment and recovery with dignity. We appreciate the efforts of Access Life and Chellaram Foundation in strengthening paediatric cancer care support services in Manipal.”

Speaking about the initiative, Girish Nair, founder & chairman, Access Life Assistance Foundation, said: “This second centre at Manipal Academy of Higher Education marks another important milestone in our journey of ensuring that no child is forced to discontinue cancer treatment because of non-medical challenges such as accommodation, nutrition, or distance from the treating hospital.

We are deeply grateful to MAHE for once again extending their support by providing the space free of rental, reflecting a strong institutional commitment toward paediatric cancer care beyond hospital walls. We are equally thankful to Chellaram Foundation for supporting this initiative and believing in our vision of holistic childhood cancer care.

Since the inauguration of our first 12-unit centre in Manipal in April 2022, we have supported nearly 350 beneficiaries. With this second centre, we hope to extend this support to many more underprivileged families, helping children not only complete their treatment with dignity, but also recover in a safe, caring, and family-friendly environment.”

Dr Vasudeva Bhat K, professor and head, Department of Paediatric Oncology, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal mentioned that “The new centre further reinforced the departments mission of reducing treatment abandonment and refusal among children with cancer and other serious blood related disorders by addressing the social and logistical barriers that often impact continuity of care thus providing complete holistic care”.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Ramprasad K., a 25-year-old artist from Puttur, was felicitated by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan in New Delhi on Monday for winning the logo design contest for Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G) Act.

Mr. Ramprasad was the winner of the logo design contest held by the Union Ministry of Rural Development in collaboration with MyGov platform. The contest was aimed at building a distinctive visual identity for the Act while connecting the programme’s vision with the creativity of the people.

Mr. Ramprasad was accompanied by Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre at the felicitation event. The artist received a prize of ₹50,000 from the Union Minister on Monday.

His logo was among 7,233 entries in the contest. The artist, who is a Bachelor of Visual Art (Applied Art) graduate from Mangaluru’s Mahalasa College of Visual Art, said he had kept the logo design simple to incorporate all the features of the VB-G RAM G Act in the letters V and B. The Ministry of Rural Development is yet to release the logo.

“The selected logo captures the essence of the Act by symbolising human dignity, collective effort and the transformative journey towards Viksit Bharat, while reflecting the core pillars of employment generation, livelihood security and rural resilience,” the Union Ministry said in a press release.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The fourth anniversary celebration of ‘Nuditorana’, a literary and cultural forum dedicated to the preservation of Kannada language, literature, and culture, titled ‘Nudi Sambhrama-2026’, will be held in Udupi on May 23 and 24.

As part of the two-day literary festival, the prestigious ‘Nudibhushana’ award will be presented to three distinguished women achievers for their remarkable contributions to various fields of literature and culture.

Shaila Jayakumar – Popularly known as the “Aparna of Chitradurga,” Shaila Jayakumar is a retired English lecturer and noted orator. She has authored more than 14 works including short stories, poems, and personality sketches, and has been actively involved in cultural activities.

Radha Tekal – Daughter of senior litterateur Siddavanahalli Krishnasharma, Radha Tekal is an acclaimed translator who has translated several prominent Telugu and Urdu literary works into Kannada. She has translated over 20 novels, earning appreciation for her immense contribution to Kannada literature.

Shobha Hariprasad – Known for her mastery in metrical poetry, Shobha Hariprasad gained recognition through her monumental work ‘Shobha Ramayana’. She has expertise across multiple literary genres and is also regarded as a mentor for emerging poets.

The organisers stated that the awards will be conferred in the presence of eminent personalities from across the state during the literary celebration. The ‘Nudi Sambhrama-2026’ event is expected to bring together writers, poets, translators, and literature enthusiasts from different parts of Karnataka.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers have developed smart materials which may form the building blocks for next-generation data storage units, quantum processors, and advanced industrial sensors.

These smart materials can change their physical properties in response to light, heat, or mechanical pressure.

Two studies

In two new studies, Abhishek Mondal, an associate professor at the Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit (SSCU), IISc, and his team have reported the synthesis of novel chemical frameworks — highly porous crystals composed of self-assembling metal-organic layers — capable of reversible magnetic switching.

The first study, published in Angewandte Chemie, a journal of the German Chemical Society, solves a long-standing challenge in materials science: achieving robust magnetic switching in 3D beehive-type porous materials, typically used for gas or liquid sensing.

According to IISc, when a target gas or liquid enters or leaves the material, the crystal lattice in the material expands or contracts, stimulating the atoms to switch their magnetic state.

“In traditional porous materials, however, this expansion/contraction is limited because the push/pull force exerted by an atom within the lattice on its neighbours is absorbed by the pores and is restricted to the vicinity of that atom. This limits the efficiency of these sensors because the material does not switch states as a whole,” IISc said.

New chemical complex

It added that to overcome this challenge, Prof. Mondal and his team designed a new chemical complex that is not only highly porous but also has an elastic matrix.

“We are currently working on scaling up the complex to design smart gas-capture sensors that can selectively adsorb industrially critical gases like CH4, CO, and CO2 with supreme sensitivity,” said Prof. Mondal.

Although such materials can be highly useful for environmental and biological sensing, a major bottleneck has been the temperature at which they can operate.

“Our goal was to synthesise a chemical system that exhibits these transitions near ambient temperatures. Contemporary materials often operate only at ultra-low temperatures — below 50K (-223°C). They are highly volatile and relax back to their ground state with even a slight rise in temperature,” said Krishna Kaushik, PhD student at SSCU and first author of both studies.

To address this limitation, in another study published in Small, the team designed a 2D hexagonal framework that achieves light-, heat-, and solvent-induced magnetic transitions near ambient temperatures.

“Modern data centres and electronic devices consume enormous amounts of energy. Developing alternative materials that operate more efficiently could reduce energy demands and contribute to more sustainable technologies. Similarly, materials capable of acting simultaneously as sensors, switches, and memory elements may simplify device architectures and reduce manufacturing costs,” Prof. Mondal said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The occasion makes speakers recall characters of ‘Bayaluseeme Kattepurana’, a column which appeared in Lankesh Patrike for over two decades.

The launch of author-columnist B. Chandregowda’s book Kalalamavana Kadedinagalu (Last Days of Kalamava) took the audience on a nostalgic journey through excerpts from his popular column ‘Bayaluseeme Kattepurana’, published in Lankesh Patrike over two decades.

The column, which appeared in Lankesh Patrike for over two decades, remains one of Kannada journalism’s most beloved series. Mr. Chandregowda, a retired officer from the Department of Public Libraries, crafted it as a series of lively conversations among characters — Kalamava, Jummi, Whatisse, Seera, and Ugri — who gather at a village canteen in Mandya district over tea and snacks.

The character Whatisse earned his name from his distinctive verbal tic of beginning remarks with “what I say.”

Sasvehalli Sathish, a lecturer and theatre director, highlighted the column’s enduring appeal. “It earned a devoted readership through its sharp yet accessible commentary on political and social issues,” he said. “In many ways, the expressions of these characters have become part of our everyday language, which explains how deeply it has influenced a generation of readers.”

Mr. Sathish, who played the role of Whatisse in stage adaptations of the column by Shivamogga’s theatre activists, recalled a particularly memorable performance in Vijayapura (Bijapura).

“After the show, a senior citizen stood up and compared our characters to the historic Anubhava Mantapa of the 12th century, drawing parallels between Kalamava and Allama Prabhu. That moment moved me greatly,” he said.

Mr. Chandregowda revealed that he wrote the book as a concluding chapter to the long-running column while spending six months with his son in New Jersey last year. “In solitude, far from home, I was deeply troubled by the social and political developments unfolding back in Karnataka. I instinctively returned to my characters and their voices,” he said.

The book revolves around the final days of Kalamava, the senior and morally upright figure in the village circle. As his friends visit him, they reminisce about old times and reflect on the rapidly changing world around them.

He also gave an update on people in his village, who influenced him to create the characters of the columns. Interestingly, a couple of them often took exceptions to using their names in the column, he recalled.

Poet Akshatha Humchadakatte, who formally released the book, praised its authentic portrayal of ordinary people. “The column captures the voice of the common person — with all its contradictions, selective loyalties, and innocent wisdom,” she said. “The characters may favour politicians from their own caste, yet they do not hesitate to criticise them when they falter. This honest ambivalence is the mark of the author’s creative insight.”

The book has been published by Prajna Book Gallery, Shivamogga.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Anand Poojary from Aluru in Kundapur on the Karnataka coast has been conferred an honorary doctorate by a university in the United States.

The prestigious Washington Adventist University in Washington DC honoured NRI entrepreneur and achiever Anand Poojary with the honorary degree of ‘Doctor of Humane Letters’ during its grand annual convocation and 111th graduation ceremony held in Maryland, USA, on Sunday, May 3.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajan Natarajan, CEO and President of Global Alliant Incorporation, said, “Anand Poojary is a highly deserving recipient of this prestigious doctorate honour. It is a recognition of his dedication, commitment, and hard work.”

Responding to the honour, Anand Poojary said, “I stand before you with deep humility and gratitude. This doctorate is a matter of great honour and pride for me. I did not come from a privileged background. From the beginning, I have valued hard work, discipline, and faith in life. I have always had great respect for society. Values have been the strong foundation of my life. I alone do not deserve credit for this honorary degree. My wife Sumita, my son Aryan, my daughters Anisha and Tara, and all my well-wishers who have always stood by me are equal partners in this honour. I express my gratitude to Washington Adventist University.”

Students graduating in the year 2026 also received their degrees during the ceremony and celebrated their academic achievements. Cherliki Sunzhu compered the programme and delivered the vote of thanks.

It may be recalled that Anand Poojary, who provides catering services to the Indian Embassy in the United States, had earned appreciation from former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his hospitality and culinary services.

Anand Poojary is involved in several business ventures including Jewel of India, Woodlands, Udupi Restaurant, Poojary Consultancy, and GD Hospitality. Originally hailing from the small hilly village of Aluru in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district, he comes from an agricultural family background.

After completing his secondary education at the government school in Aluru, he moved to Mumbai where he worked in a canteen during the daytime while attending night school and completed his PU education. Later, with the support of his late brother Manjunath Poojary, he moved to the United States in 1995 and entered the hotel industry. Through hard work and perseverance, he gradually rose in the field and established his own successful hospitality business.

Actively associated with several Kannada cultural and service organisations in the United States, Anand Poojary’s life journey marked by honesty, discipline, and hard work is regarded as highly inspiring to society.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)