Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar

Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar (born 1 May 1943) is a Gondhali folk artist from Bagalkote, Karnataka, India.[1] He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2025 for his contributions towards preserving the Gondhali art form.[2][3]

Early life

Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar was born into the ghumantu samaj (the Alemari community) in 1943. He learned Gondhali folk music from his father and grandfather. He never received formal schooling.[4][5][1]

Career

Sugatekar started performing from the age of 10, and continued to for the next seven decades. He has sung and recited over 150 long-form mythological stories and over 1,000 Gondhali songs. Known as the "Bhishma of Gondhali music", he has performed domestically and internationally, through radio, TV and other platforms.[1][4]

He has taught over 1000 students free-of-cost to encourage the survival of Gondhali folk music.[5][6]

In 2022, an honorary doctorate was conferred upon him by the Karnataka Folklore University.[7]

Recognitions

  • 2025 - Padma Shri, by the Government of India.[2]
  • 2017 - Janapadshri Award[3]
  • 2012 - Rajyotsava Award, by the Government of Karnataka[3]
  • 2004 - Kanataka Janapad Yakshagana Academy Award[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Union Minister Pralhad Joshi honours Padma Shri awardee Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar". The Economic Times. 2025-01-26. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  2. ^ a b "Padma Awards 2025 announced". www.pib.gov.in. Archived from the original on 2025-08-09. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  3. ^ a b c d Bahadurdesai, B. Rishikesh (2025-02-21). "Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar: Veteran Gondhali artiste who infuses modernism into a medieval art form". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  4. ^ a b "On Padma Shri list, folk artistes, health experts". The Indian Express. 2025-01-26. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  5. ^ a b Kengeri, Diganth (2024-02-28). "Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar: Karnataka's folk music legend". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  6. ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (2025-02-02). "ಪದ್ಮಶ್ರೀ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ವಿಜೇತ ಕಲಾವಿದ ವೆಂಕಪ್ಪರಿಗೆ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಡಳಿತದಿಂದ ಸನ್ಮಾನ". ETV Bharat News (in Kannada). Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  7. ^ "Karnataka Folk Singer Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar Receives Praise From PM Modi On Mann Ki Baat". News18. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
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