Folk Artist Devadas Chimakode Selected for Karnataka Janapada Award 2026

Venerable folk artist Devadas Chimakode has won the prestigious annual honorary award of Karnataka Janapada Academy for 2026. The award announcement was made on 21 October 2026. It is awarded in appreciation of his efforts towards preservation and promotion of Karnataka folk art forms for 35 years. The artist is 56-year-old and he hails from Chimakod village of Bidar taluk in Bidar district. The cash award is for Rs 25,000 along with citation. Folk singing, instrumental music, Suggi Kunitha and Halage are some of the folk art forms in which the artist works.

Who Is Devadas Chimakode?

Devadas Chimakode is a veteran folk artist from Chimakod village of Bidar taluk in Karnataka state. He is active in folk art forms for the last 35 years or so and has been working hard to preserve traditional practices of folk performances by taking it to villages in the region.

He won the prestigious Karnataka Janapada Academy honorary award for 2026 due to his sustained efforts in this field. Karnataka Janapada Academy member Vijay Kumar Sonare said it was a matter of pride for Bidar district.

Karnataka Janapada Academy Award 2026: Key Details

• Name of the Award: Karnataka Janapada Academy annual honorary award
• Year :2026
• Recipient: Devadas Chimakode
• Hometown: Chimakod village
• Taluk: Bidar
• District: Bidar, Karnataka
• Age at selection: 56 years
• Experience in folk arts: 35 years
• Award components: ₹25,000 and a citation
• Announced: 21 October 2026

Folk Art Forms Associated With Devadas Chimakode

Some of the folk art forms with which Devadas Chimakode is associated with are,

• Folk singing: Community oriented musical art forms passed down from one generation to another through oral performance.
• Instrumental music: Traditional music played by traditional musical instruments.
• Suggi Kunitha: It is a traditional folk dance art form which is prevalent in the cultural heritage of the State of Karnataka.
• Halage: It is a percussion instrument and also a traditional folk art performance through rhythm.

These art forms help in the preservation of history and culture of a region.

Importance of the Karnataka Janapada Academy Award

Karnataka Janapada Academy works towards promotion of the folk arts and artists associated with the cultural traditions of the state. The awards of Karnataka Janapada Academy help in giving recognition to those artists who have been performing traditional arts for years.

The award on behalf of Chimakode indicates the contribution of artists living in the rural areas in transmitting folk art forms to the next generation. Recognition by the state level academy also helps in increasing the awareness about regional art forms.