Bengaluru: Eight distinguished individuals from Karnataka have been honoured with the prestigious Padma awards for 2025, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society across various fields. Among those named by the Union govt on Saturday are one Padma Vibhushan, two Padma Bhushan and five Padma Shri awardees from the state.
Violin maestro and renowned composer

Dr L Subramaniam

has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian award. Versatile multilingual actor and former minister Anant Nag, alongside journalist and scholar Dr A Surya Prakash, have been chosen for Padma Bhushan.
Among those honoured with Padma Shri from Karnataka is 96-year-old Togalu Gombeyaata puppeteer

Bhimavva Shillekyathara

from Koppal.
The others honoured with Padma Shri include Ricky Kej, Grammy-winning composer and environmental advocate; Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane, a pioneering cancer surgeon from Kalaburagi; 81-year-old Gondhal folk artist Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar from Bagalkot; and entrepreneur-philanthropist Prashanth Prakash.

Taking to social media, chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM D K Shivakumar congratulated the trio from Karnataka and hailed their remarkable contributions to society.
The Padma awards, traditionally announced on the eve of Republic Day, recognise outstanding achievements across multiple fields of specialisation.
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Profiles:
Padma Vibhushan:
Dr L Subramaniam: Dr Subramaniam, 77, a globally acclaimed violinist and composer, is a key figure in Indian classical music, blending carnatic and western music with unmatched versatility. A Padma Bhushan recipient in 2001, he has also composed for films and earned prestigious accolades. Although hailing from Tamil Nadu, Bengaluru holds a special place in his life. In 1999, he married playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy, and together they founded the Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts in 2007.
Padma Bhushan
Anant Nag: Anant Nagarkatte, 76, popularly known as Anant Nag, is a versatile actor who has contributed immensely to Kannada and Indian cinema. He has acted in more than 300 films across multiple languages, including Hindi, Telugu, and Malayalam. His debut in Sankalpa (1973) set the stage for an illustrious career. His notable works include Bayalu Daari (1976), Naa Ninna Bidalaare (1979), and Mungaru Male (2006). Nag is widely remembered for his portrayal in the iconic TV series Malgudi Days.
Dr A Surya Prakash: Dr Surya Prakash, a veteran journalist, scholar, and author, has dedicated more than five decades to the media industry. Specialising in constitutional and parliamentary studies, Dr Surya Prakash has been a leading advocate for reforming India's legislative processes. As the former chairman of Prasar Bharati, he played a pivotal role in televising parliamentary proceedings. His impactful works include What Ails Indian Parliament and The Emergency – Indian Democracy's Darkest Hour.
Padma Shri
Bhimavva Shillekyathara: At 96, Shillekyathara stands as a beacon of Karnataka's cultural heritage. A native of Moranala village in Koppal district, she has dedicated her life to Togalu Gombeyaata, a traditional shadow puppetry art form. Her family has been the sole custodian of this art in the district for over a century, performing epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Shillekyathara's efforts to sustain the art include training younger generations.
Ricky Kej: Kej, 43, a globally renowned music composer and environmentalist, has garnered global acclaim for his innovative music and sustainability advocacy. A three-time Grammy Award winner, Kej's albums Winds of Samsara (2015), and Divine Tides (2022, 2023) showcase his ability to blend music with environmental consciousness. As a UN Goodwill Ambassador, he is a leading voice in sustainability.
Prashanth Prakash: Prakash, 58, a prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist, is the founding partner of Accel India, where he has supported successful startups such as Flipkart and BookMyShow. He has been instrumental in driving initiatives in education, healthcare, and urban infrastructure, including Bengaluru Mission 2022. He co-authored Unboxing Bengaluru, exploring the city's evolving landscape.
Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane: Dr Deshmane, a former director of Bengaluru's Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, is lauded for her remarkable contributions to cancer treatment and awareness. Her journey from a childhood marked by poverty — her mother sold her mangalsutra to pay for her education — to becoming a leader in oncology is as much inspiring as it is humbling.
Ambaji Sugatekar: Sugatekar, 81, from Bagalkot, has spent nearly seven decades preserving Gondhal, a folk-art form. Sugatekar is renowned for his ability to recite thousands of traditional songs and has trained 77 students to keep this art form alive. Honoured with multiple awards, Sugatekar has been invited to witness this year's Republic Day parade in New Delhi, a fitting tribute to his contributions.