Navada and Rajoor Selected for Ferdinand Kittel Award

A.V. Navada of Mangaluru and Veeranna Rajoor of Dharwad have been selected as the inaugural recipients of the Rev. Dr. Ferdinand Kittel Award. Their selection was reported on 29–30 October 2026. The award was instituted by the Rev. Dr. Ferdinand Kittel Foundation of Karnataka Theological College (KTC), Mangaluru, to recognise contributions to Kannada language, literature, research and culture.

Recipients and award ceremony

Navada is a linguist, lexicographer, folklorist and scholar of Haridasa literature. His work includes research on Ferdinand Kittel and Kittel’s contributions to Kannada, as well as studies in linguistics, lexicography and folklore. Rajoor has contributed to Middle Kannada literature, Vachana literature, manuscript editing, literary research and theatre. He has also researched Vachana poets of the post-Basava period.

The presentation is scheduled for 12 November at Bishop Jathanna Auditorium, KTC, Balmatta, Mangaluru. The selection committee was chaired by Prof. K. Chinnappa Gowda and included Rev. Dr. H. M. Watson, Dr. Dhananjaya Kumbla, Dr. Prakashchandra Sisila and Rev. Dr. Sandeep Theophil.

Important Facts for Exams

• Kittel’s lexicography: Ferdinand Kittel produced a Kannada–English dictionary containing about 70,000 words, published in 1894.
• Vachana literary style: Vachana literature is described as readily intelligible prose marked by simplicity and directness, often addressing social issues and personal devotion.
• Kannada classical status: The Union Government designated Kannada a classical language in 2008, among the earliest languages to receive that status.
• Haridasa composer signatures: Haridasa compositions commonly carry an ankita, or devotional signature-name, which can identify the composer within the song.