Sukri Bommanagowda is a folk singer belonging to the Halakki Vokkaliga tribe in Ankola , Karnataka , India. She has received several awards, including the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honours, for her contributions to the arts, and her work in preserving traditional tribal music.
Sukri Bommagowda | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Badigeri, Uttara Kannada |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Known for | Halakki Vokkaliga |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
Life edit
Bommagowda was born into the Halakki Vokkaliga tribe, in Badigeri, in Uttara Kannada, and was married at the age of 16. She and her husband had two children, and adopted another child.[1]
Career edit
Bommagowda was taught to sing as a child by her mother, and has worked to preserve the traditional music and songs of the Halakki Vokkaliga tribe.[1] Following the death of her husband, she began performing traditional music of the Halakki Vokkaliga tribe in Karnataka.[2] She teaches traditional music and songs to members of her tribe.[1] She has been described as the "nightingale of Halakki".[3][4] Bommagowda has been publicly recognised for her work in preserving a large corpus of tribal songs as part of an oral tradition.[5][6] All India Radio, India's national broadcast radio, and the Karnataka Janapada Academy have been working with Bommagowda to record, translate, and preserve these songs.[5]
In 1988 her work was recognised by the Karnataka State government, and she has since been the recipient of multiple state awards and honours for her contributions to arts and music, including the Nadoja Award, and the Janapada Shri Award.[1] In 2017, her work gained national recognition when she was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honours, for her contributions to music.[1]
In addition to her work in music, Bommagowda became a member of the gram panchayat, a local government body, in Badigeri, Karnataka.[1] Although illiterate herself, she has campaigned for literacy, especially among girls, and also has campaigned for a ban against alcohol in her area, following the deaths of her adopted son from alcohol poisoning.[1]
Awards edit
| Year | Award | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Award from the Karnataka government (for "preserving the culture of indigenous tribes") | [1] |
| 1999 | Janapada Shri Award (for contributions to the field of arts, granted by the Karnataka Government) | [7] |
| 2006 | Nadoja Award (granted by the Kannada University) | [1] |
| 2017 | Padma Shri Award | [1][2] |
In popular culture edit
Bommagowda is featured in a Karnataka middle school textbook, in relation to her contributions to music.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Unsung hero of Karnataka, Sukri Bommagowda wins Padma Shri award". The News Minute. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Padma award winners from Karnataka are an eclectic mix". The Hindu. 25 January 2017. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ^ Hebbar, Nistula; Singh, Vijaita (25 January 2017). "Padma Vibhushan for Pawar, M.M. Joshi, Yesudas; Kohli to get Padma Shri". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ^ "PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik to be in Padma Bhushan list". The Indian Express. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ^ a b TNN (26 January 2017). "Padma: Padma for these pearls of Karnataka". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ^ Rao, Sunitha R. (31 October 2014). "Live singing is the secret of Sukri's success". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ^ "Profile of recipients of 'Janapada Shri Awards'". Government of Karnataka. Retrieved 6 October 2020.