Siddapura's Sushila Hegde Muderu Honoured with Karnataka Nataka Academy Award 2026-27

Sushila Hegde of Muderu village in Siddapura taluk, Uttara Kannada district, has been selected for the prestigious Karnataka Nataka Academy Annual Award for the year 2026-27. The official announcement was made in Bengaluru by Dr. K.V. Nagaraja Murthy, President of the Karnataka Nataka Academy, following an executive committee meeting. The state-level annual award recognizes Sushila Hegde's distinguished contribution to Kannada theatre spanning over four decades. Over the years, she has enriched the regional cultural landscape as a versatile actor, director, costume designer, and lighting technician. Her dedicated efforts in preserving traditional and contemporary drama in the Malnad region have drawn widespread appreciation from art patrons. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a Nataraja statuette, and an official citation plaque. Local residents, art lovers, and cultural organizations across Siddapura taluk have expressed immense pride and congratulated Sushila Hegde on receiving this prestigious government recognition for her lifelong service to the stage.