The Karnataka State Awards for the year 2017 was given away on Sunday on the occasion of Dr Rajkumar’s 94th birth anniversary. The event was held at the Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bangalore.

Veteran actress Lakshmi was felicitated with the Dr Rajkumar award. Lakshmi daughter of Y V Rao (director of Kannada’s first talkie ‘Sati Sulochana’) made her debut through Dr Rajkumar’s ‘Goadalli CID 999’ and went on to act with Dr Rajkumar in films like ‘Naa Ninna Mareyalaare’, ‘Ravi Chandra’ and others.

The veteran actress said she was indeed very lucky to have received the Dr Rajkumar award for lifetime contribution to the world of cinema. ‘I am indeed lucky to have received the award. Not everyone gets a chance to work with the thespian. I made my debut through his film. Today I have received an award in his name. It is indeed a great blessing’ said Lakshmi in her speech.

Senior director S Narayan was conferred with the Puttanna Kanagal award for contribution in the field of direction. Senior producer Lakshmipathi’s son received the Dr Vishnuvardhan award on behalf of his father. Apart from this, Tara who was adjudged for her performance in ‘Hebbet Ramakka’ and Vishruth Nayak in ‘Manjari’ received the best actress and best actor awards. The 2017 Karnataka State Awards Function was presided by Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai. Raghavendra Rajkumar, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President D R Jairaj, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy president Sunil Puranik and others were present at the occasion.