Karnataka Ratna Awards for Vishnuvardhan and B Saroja Devi Scheduled for November 19

The Karnataka government is scheduled to confer the Karnataka Ratna posthumously on actors Dr. Vishnuvardhan and B. Saroja Devi on November 19, 2026. Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj S. Tangadagi announced the plan on October 30, 2026. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is scheduled to present the awards at a ceremony outside Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.

Award ceremony and decision

The state Cabinet decided to honour both actors at its meeting on September 11, 2025. The government is considering invitations to actor Rajinikanth and actresses Lakshmi and Suhasini, who acted with Vishnuvardhan and had close ties with him.

Important Facts for Exams

• Award components: The Karnataka Ratna package includes a 50-gram gold medal, citation, memento and shawl.
• First woman recipient: B. Saroja Devi became the first woman to receive the Karnataka Ratna, and the honour was posthumous.