Mysore/Mysuru:  Regretting the growing trend of applying and seeking recommendation for getting awards, Karnataka Safai Karmachari Commission Chairman M. Shivanna said that the time has come to do away with the culture of recommendation.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 6th anniversary of Mysuru Unit of Kannada Janapada Parishat (KJP) and World Tribal and Folklore Day celebrations,  organised at Rotary Hall on JLB Road here recently.

Observing that it is not correct on the part of aspirants to apply for awards and send  recommendation letters for getting them, Shivanna said that the practice of Government inviting applications for conferment of Rajyotsava Award too is not correct.

Maintaining that several aspirants had come to him seeking recommendation letters for Rajyotsava Award, he said that the Government should drop the practice of inviting applications. The Government itself should identify the achievers and confer them awards, he opined.

Recalling that he was a part of Dr. Rajkumar’s Dhanya Milana programme when he was Kannada and Culture Minister about 20 years ago, Shivanna said that he also got an opportunity to interact with a few noted actors while taking part in several other programmes.

Lauding the Kannada Janapada Parishat for identifying artists, he said that recognition will surely help the achievers.

Stressing on the need for promoting and nurturing folklore in order to save our rich culture, he said that Prime Minister Modi was working in that direction.

Referring to the welfare of Pourakarmikas, Shivanna said that the process of regularisation of service of Pourakarmikas is underway. Pointing out that he has recommended the Chief Minister for regularisation of service of Pourakarmikas, he said that 11,133 Pourakarmikas will be regularised in the first phase. There are plans to regularise another 50,000 Pourakarmikas across the State too in the coming days, he added.

Parishat’s District Unit President Kyatanahalli Prakash said that the Unit was established in 2016 and since then it has been identifying achievers from folk field. The Folk Brigade, which is an associate organisation, is also  working in this regard, he added.

Art patron M.S. Kumar, in his keynote  address, bemoaned the onslaught of western music  on our rich heritage and culture. Pointing out that veteran folk scholars have successfully prevented the spreading of western culture, he stressed that the Parishat should grow further for saving and sustaining our folk traditions.

Veeragase artiste from Nanjangud Malkundi Basavanna, Sobane singer Madamma of Yaraganahalli in Mysuru taluk, Kamsale artiste Mahadevaiah of Muradagalli, Dollu Kunitha artiste Nikhil of Vinayakanagar, Tribal artiste Jomamma of Aanemala in Saragur taluk, J.D. Jayappa, a Jenu Kuruba community artiste from Ranigate Haadi, Tolaiah of Golur Haadi in H.D. Kote taluk and Harsha, a Soliga tribal artiste from Hemmige Haadi in Hunsur taluk, were felicitated on the occasion. Also, K.R. Nagar TMC President Prakash, Periyapatna Taluk KJP President Naganna, H.D. Kote Taluk PCARD Bank President B. Basavaraj, P. Somashekar, a folk singer from H.D. Kote taluk and Padmaraj were honoured.

Senior journalist Amshi Prasannakumar, KJP State President S. Balaji, Akhila Karnataka Vokkaliga Mahasabha President N. Bettegowda, H.D. Kote Taluk Kuruba Sangha President M.B. Anand, KJP Divisional Convenor Cauvery Prakash, Secretary K.C. Shanthappa, former District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President M. Chandrashekar, Singer Lakshmi Ram, Prof. A. Manjula, leaders B.P. Boregowda, Maridevaiah and others were present.