<p>Karnataka's highest civilian award the 'Karnataka Ratna' was conferred posthumously on late actor Puneeth Rajkumar on Tuesday, on the occasion of the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava (the state formation day).</p>.<p>He is the 9th recipient of this prestigious honour. The event on the foresteps of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state legislature and secretariat here, was shortened and held in a hurried manner, due to sudden rains.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/a-year-on-puneeth-remains-ensconced-in-fans-hearts-1157745.html" target="_blank">A year on, Puneeth remains ensconced in fans’ hearts</a></strong></p>.<p>Cine actors Rajinikanth and Junior NTR, and Infosys Foundation Chairperson Sudha Murty were guests at the event in which Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai conferred Karnataka Ratna on Puneeth Rajkumar.</p>.<p>The Karnataka Ratna award consisting a full silver plaque and a 50-gram gold medal, was received by the late actor's wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, in the presence of his actor brother Shivarajkumar and other family members.</p>.<p>Several noted personalities from the film and literary world, Ministers, political leaders, legislators, among others are likely to be present at the event.</p>.<p>Ahead of the performances, there was a performance by several noted singers including Vijay Prakash. With a large number of people descending at the venue, the Ambedkar Road in front of the Vidhana Soudha was jam-packed despite rains, and was closed for traffic. Commuters were advised to use alternate routes by the traffic police.</p>.<p>Considered the Kannada cinema's reigning star, Puneeth, the youngest of five children of thespian and matinee idol Dr Rajkumar, died of a cardiac arrest on October 29, 2021, at the age of 46.</p>.<p>Karnataka Ratna was last awarded to Dr. Virendra Heggade for social service in 2009.</p>.<p>Interestingly, Puneeth's late father Rajkumar is among the first recipients of the Karnataka Ratna award in 1992, along with noted poet Kuvempu. Other recipients of the award are S Nijalingappa (Politics), CNR Rao (Science), Bhimsen Joshi (Music), Shivakumara Swamiji (Social Service), and Dr J Javaregowda (Education & Literature).</p>.<p>Puneeth, popularly known as 'Appu' and 'power star', by his fans, made his debut on screen when he was just six months old and went on to win a national award as a child artiste for the film <em>Bettada Hoovu</em>. He then re-emerged as a lead actor in 2002 and went on to star in 29 films, delivering some big hits. </p>
<p>Karnataka's highest civilian award the 'Karnataka Ratna' was conferred posthumously on late actor Puneeth Rajkumar on Tuesday, on the occasion of the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava (the state formation day).</p>.<p>He is the 9th recipient of this prestigious honour. The event on the foresteps of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state legislature and secretariat here, was shortened and held in a hurried manner, due to sudden rains.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/a-year-on-puneeth-remains-ensconced-in-fans-hearts-1157745.html" target="_blank">A year on, Puneeth remains ensconced in fans’ hearts</a></strong></p>.<p>Cine actors Rajinikanth and Junior NTR, and Infosys Foundation Chairperson Sudha Murty were guests at the event in which Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai conferred Karnataka Ratna on Puneeth Rajkumar.</p>.<p>The Karnataka Ratna award consisting a full silver plaque and a 50-gram gold medal, was received by the late actor's wife Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar, in the presence of his actor brother Shivarajkumar and other family members.</p>.<p>Several noted personalities from the film and literary world, Ministers, political leaders, legislators, among others are likely to be present at the event.</p>.<p>Ahead of the performances, there was a performance by several noted singers including Vijay Prakash. With a large number of people descending at the venue, the Ambedkar Road in front of the Vidhana Soudha was jam-packed despite rains, and was closed for traffic. Commuters were advised to use alternate routes by the traffic police.</p>.<p>Considered the Kannada cinema's reigning star, Puneeth, the youngest of five children of thespian and matinee idol Dr Rajkumar, died of a cardiac arrest on October 29, 2021, at the age of 46.</p>.<p>Karnataka Ratna was last awarded to Dr. Virendra Heggade for social service in 2009.</p>.<p>Interestingly, Puneeth's late father Rajkumar is among the first recipients of the Karnataka Ratna award in 1992, along with noted poet Kuvempu. Other recipients of the award are S Nijalingappa (Politics), CNR Rao (Science), Bhimsen Joshi (Music), Shivakumara Swamiji (Social Service), and Dr J Javaregowda (Education & Literature).</p>.<p>Puneeth, popularly known as 'Appu' and 'power star', by his fans, made his debut on screen when he was just six months old and went on to win a national award as a child artiste for the film <em>Bettada Hoovu</em>. He then re-emerged as a lead actor in 2002 and went on to star in 29 films, delivering some big hits. </p>