Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has announced the Sri Maharshi Valmiki Awards for 2026–27, recognising 10 achievers for their contributions to education, literature, cultural service, science and technology, and social service. The awards will be presented as part of the state-level Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti celebrations on October 26.
A selection committee headed by G.T. Chandrashekarappa, former secretary of the Water Resources Department and former Karnataka Public Service Commission member, examined 137 applications before finalising the recipients.
The awardees are Tejaswi Kattimani of Dharwad district for education; Tippanna Marikunte of Chitradurga district for literature; R.M. Muniraju of Bengaluru Rural district for cultural service; and Dr Chandranayak S. of Mysuru for contributions to science, technology and education.
The social service awardees are J.P. Raju of Kodagu district, Shivanagouda Honnanagouda Patil of Gadag, Nandkumar Mali Patil of Kalaburagi, Kethamma of Chamarajanagar, B.G. Krishnappa of Tumakuru and Venkataram of Kolar district.
Each recipient will receive a cash award of ₹5 lakh and a 25-gram gold medal. The awards aim to recognise individuals who have contributed to the welfare and upliftment of Scheduled Tribes and made significant contributions in their respective fields.
As part of the Jayanti celebrations, a Valmiki Jyothi procession will begin at Sri Bedara Kannappa Swamy Temple at the Adiguru Peetha of Sri Maharshi Valmiki Mahasamsthana in Basavanagudi. The procession will feature cultural performances and tribal art troupes.
Floral tributes will subsequently be offered at the Maharshi Valmiki statue at Valmiki Tapovana in front of the Legislators’ Home. The state-level celebration and award presentation ceremony will be held at the Vidhana Soudha banquet hall.
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