Minister urges govt to confer Karnataka Ratna on late actor-politician Ambareesh

Bengaluru: Senior Minister Ramalinga Reddy has urged the state government to confer the Karnataka Ratna, the state’s highest civilian award, posthumously on late actor-politician M H Ambareesh. In a letter to the Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, Reddy said Ambareesh, lauded as “Mandya’s son”, had made immense contributions to the state’s art, literature and political spheres.

Ambareesh, who acted in more than 200 films and was popularly known as the “Rebel Star”, had won the hearts of millions of Kannadigas through his distinctive acting style, Reddy, the Minister for Forest and Ecology, said.

The minister said Ambareesh had always been at the forefront of responding to the problems faced by the Kannada film industry and safeguarding the interests of artists. “He also worked for the development of the state as an MLA, MP and minister at both the state and Centre, particularly for the welfare of farmers in Mandya and the Cauvery basin,” Reddy said in his letter.

In view of Ambareesh’s contributions, popularity and love for Karnataka, it would be appropriate to honour him with the Karnataka Ratna posthumously, Reddy said, adding that this was also the strong desire of the people of the state.

Reddy enclosed with his letter a representation submitted to him by the Akhila Karnataka Nyaya Neethi Dharma Dr Ambareesh Abhimanigala Sangha (fan association). He requested the Kannada and Culture Minister to announce the posthumous award for Ambareesh on the occasion of the forthcoming Karnataka Rajyotsava or at an appropriate time.

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The Hans India