Karnataka Celebrates Eight Padma Award Recipients Across Diverse Fields
The prestigious Padma awards announced on Sunday have brought significant recognition to Karnataka, with eight individuals from the state being honored for their exceptional contributions. The list includes one Padma Bhushan and seven Padma Shri awards, spanning classical scholarship, grassroots social work, laboratory science, medicine, education, and industry.
These awards celebrate careers built quietly over decades, deeply rooted in institutions, neighborhoods, and traditions. Each recipient represents a unique story of dedication and excellence that has made a lasting impact on society.
Shatavadhani R Ganesh: Preserving Ancient Literary Art
Shatavadhani R Ganesh, honored with the Padma Bhushan in the art category, stands as one of India's foremost exponents of Avadhana. This ancient Indian literary and cognitive performance art tests memory, concentration, and poetic imagination simultaneously. During an Avadhana performance, multiple scholars pose questions or challenges at once, to which the Avadhani responds by composing poetry extempore while strictly adhering to linguistic and thematic rules.
Born in 1962 in Kolar, Ganesh's academic journey is remarkably interdisciplinary. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, a master's degree in metallurgy from the Indian Institute of Science, a master's degree in Sanskrit, and a doctor of literature in Kannada from Hampi University. His doctoral research focused specifically on avadhana theory and practice.
Fluent in Kannada, Sanskrit, Telugu, Tamil, and Prakrit, Ganesh has performed more than 1,300 Avadhanas, including the demanding Shatavadhana with a hundred participants. As a prolific author, critic, and speaker, he continues to write, lecture, and perform, interpreting classical literary traditions for contemporary audiences and ensuring this ancient art form remains vibrant and relevant.
Shubha Iyengar: A Lifetime in Scientific Innovation
Shubha V Iyengar, awarded the Padma Shri in science and engineering, represents India's post-independence scientific journey through her distinguished career. At 71, her recognition comes after decades of groundbreaking work that has significantly contributed to national development.
A former scientist at CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories, Iyengar joined NAL in 1974 after securing the first rank in both her BSc (honours) physics and MSc degrees from Central College. She attributes her interest in science to her father, who strongly believed women should pursue higher studies and encouraged her to complete her PhD. Though she lost him while she was an MSc student, she carried his wish forward throughout her career.
Her work spans over four decades, with one of her most visible contributions being the development of 'Drishti', a system now deployed at airports across the country, including by the Indian Air Force. This innovation has significantly strengthened aviation safety and operations. Describing the award as recognition for everything put together—science, engineering, and service to the nation—she remains active even after retirement, advising organizations whenever called upon.
SG Susheelamma: Decades of Compassionate Social Work
SG Susheelamma, fondly known as 'Amma', has been honored with the Padma Shri for social work. At 86, her life's work exemplifies compassion and dedication to uplifting marginalized communities. She founded Sumangali Seva Ashrama in 1975 with the aim of supporting destitute women, orphaned children, and economically weaker communities.
Operating from Cholanayakanahalli near Hebbal, the ashrama today houses about 110 residents, including 70 children and 40 elderly people. Over five decades, Susheelamma estimates that her work has touched the lives of more than 30 lakh people through various initiatives:
- Housing for slum dwellers
- Educational programs
- Healthcare initiatives
- Employment generation projects
The ashrama also runs adult literacy programmes, vocational training for women, and regular health camps. She has founded the Basavananda higher primary school, which provides free education to around 250 students. Currently, her organization is working on the overall development of tribal communities in Magadi and Bandipur, including an initiative to provide autorickshaws and training to women from tribal communities to enable them to earn their livelihood.
Shashi Shekar Vempati: Bridging Technology and Public Policy
Shashi Shekar Vempati has been awarded the Padma Shri in literature and education for his work straddling technology, media, and public policy over two decades. As a technocrat and strategic advisor, he currently advises global organizations, startups, and government institutions, playing a crucial role in shaping India's emerging AI ecosystem.
Vempati serves as co-founder of the DeepTech for Bharat Foundation, where he leads the AI4India initiative. He also serves on the board of directors of the BharatGen Technology Foundation, incubated at IIT Bombay, which focuses on building India's sovereign AI capabilities. His leadership extends to chairing the Apex Advisory Committee for Science and Technology Communication at the department of science and technology, and heading the UGC's experts committee on Educational media.
Previously, as CEO of Prasar Bharati from 2017 to 2022, he led significant reforms aimed at modernizing Doordarshan and All India Radio, while concurrently heading Rajya Sabha TV. His professional journey includes 15 years at Infosys Technologies, where he worked on global programs in wireless and enterprise mobility. An IIT Bombay alumnus, Vempati is also the author of Collective Spirit, Concrete Action, a study of the influence of Mann ki Baat.
These eight awardees from Karnataka represent the diverse excellence that the Padma awards seek to recognize—from preserving ancient cultural traditions to pioneering scientific innovations, from grassroots social work to shaping national technology policy. Their stories inspire and remind us of the power of sustained dedication across various fields of human endeavor.
