Devadas Chimakode Award is an important recognition of traditional folk arts in Karnataka. Folk artist Devadas Chimakode was selected on 21 October 2026 for the Karnataka Janapada Academy’s annual honorary award for 2026. The 56-year-old artist belongs to Chimakod village in Bidar taluk, Bidar district, Karnataka. He has spent 35 years working in folk arts, including folk singing, instrumental music, Suggi Kunitha and Halage. The award carries a cash prize of ₹25,000 and a citation.

The recognition highlights the contribution of artists who keep traditional music, dance and performance alive in local communities. Folk arts are an important part of India’s cultural heritage because they reflect the customs, stories and lifestyles of different communities. Artists such as Chimakode help pass these traditions from one generation to the next.

Who Is Devadas Chimakode?

Devadas Chimakode is a folk artist from Chimakod village in Bidar district of Karnataka. At the time of his selection for the 2026 award, he was 56 years old and had worked in folk arts for 35 years.

His work includes several traditional art forms, particularly folk singing, instrumental music, Suggi Kunitha and Halage. These forms represent different aspects of Karnataka’s folk culture, from musical performance to traditional dance.

Chimakode has also taken folk traditions to villages across the region. His work has helped bring traditional performances to local communities and supported the continuation of cultural practices outside major towns and cities.

His selection for the Karnataka Janapada Academy award recognises his long-term involvement in these art forms and his contribution to preserving local traditions.

What Is the Karnataka Janapada Academy Award?

The Karnataka Janapada Academy’s annual honorary award recognises people who have made contributions to traditional folk arts. It is a state-level honour that brings attention to artists working in different forms of folk music, dance and cultural performance.

Folk artists often learn their skills through practice, observation and guidance from experienced performers. Their knowledge may be passed down within families or local communities. Many traditional forms depend on the continued participation of artists who perform at community events and cultural gatherings.

The Janapada Academy award recognises the importance of these contributions. By honouring folk artists, it helps bring public attention to cultural practices that may otherwise receive less recognition than mainstream entertainment.

For 2026, the award selected Devadas Chimakode for his work in folk singing, instrumental music, Suggi Kunitha and Halage.

Award Prize Money and Citation

The 2026 Karnataka Janapada Academy honorary award carries a cash prize of ₹25,000 and a citation.

The cash prize provides financial recognition for the artist’s contribution, while the citation formally acknowledges the work for which the award is given.

For folk artists, such recognition can help increase awareness of traditional art forms and the people who practise them. It can also encourage younger generations to learn about local music, dance and performance traditions.

The award is not only about individual achievement. It also draws attention to the communities, teachers and cultural practices that help keep folk arts alive.

What Is Suggi Kunitha?

Suggi Kunitha is a traditional folk dance form associated with Karnataka. The word kunitha is used in Kannada for dance, and several traditional dance forms in the state are known by this name.

Folk dances often combine rhythmic movements, music and group participation. They may be performed during festivals, seasonal celebrations and community events. Their movements, costumes and musical patterns can reflect local customs and traditions.

Traditional dances are usually learned through practice and participation rather than only through formal classroom instruction. Experienced performers help younger participants understand the movements, rhythm and cultural meaning of the performance.

Suggi Kunitha is one of the art forms associated with Devadas Chimakode’s recognition. His work in this field forms part of his wider contribution to Karnataka’s folk traditions.

What Is Halage?

Halage is associated with folk instrumental music in Karnataka. Traditional instruments play an important role in folk performances because they provide rhythm and support singing and dancing.

Folk music varies across regions and communities. Instruments may be used to mark the rhythm of a dance, accompany singers or create the musical structure of a performance.

Learning to play traditional instruments requires practice, timing and an understanding of the performance style. Musicians also help preserve the methods and musical knowledge connected with their communities.

Chimakode’s work with Halage, along with folk singing and other traditional forms, contributed to his selection for the Janapada Academy award.

Importance of Folk Singing and Instrumental Music

Folk singing is one of the ways communities preserve stories, memories, beliefs and local experiences. Traditional songs may be connected with festivals, work, family life and important community occasions.

Instrumental music supports these songs and other performances. Together, singing and instruments help create the sound and identity of many regional folk traditions.

Folk artists are important because they carry this knowledge through live performance and teaching. Their work allows younger people to experience traditional art forms and understand their cultural value.

Devadas Chimakode‘s 35 years of work in folk arts show his long association with these practices. His award recognises his involvement in several forms rather than a single type of performance.

Devadas Chimakode’s Contribution to Village Traditions

A major part of Chimakode’s work has been taking folk traditions to villages across the region. Village-level performances can help people remain connected with their cultural heritage and provide opportunities for local artists to share their skills.

Traditional arts are often closely connected with community life. Performances may bring people together during celebrations and cultural events, while experienced artists help maintain local styles and knowledge.

Karnataka Janapada Academy member Vijay Kumar Sonare noted Chimakode’s contribution to village-level folk traditions. This recognition highlights the role of artists who work directly with communities to preserve and promote traditional performances.

Why the Devadas Chimakode Award Matters

The Devadas Chimakode Award brings attention to the importance of folk artists in preserving Karnataka’s cultural heritage. Traditional art forms survive when people continue to perform, learn and share them.

Artists who spend many years practising folk music and dance help maintain skills that may not be fully documented in books or formal records. Their experience can be valuable to younger performers who want to learn traditional methods.

The 2026 award also highlights the diversity of Karnataka’s folk culture through its recognition of folk singing, instrumental music, Suggi Kunitha and Halage.

By recognising Devadas Chimakode’s 35-year contribution, the Karnataka Janapada Academy has highlighted the value of continued community participation in traditional arts and the role of individual artists in keeping cultural practices alive.