It was a razzle-dazzle evening at Nehru Stadium in Shimoga on Sunday. The state government Kannada film awards for 2007-2008 plus honor to 54th and 55th National film award winner was held in style in the presence of good attendance of Kannada cinema industry.

The home ground of Karnataka Chief Minister Dr BS Yediyurappa, BJP President KS Ishwarappa, actor Sudeep and also Dr Girish Kasaravalli, the awards evening was witnessed by 30000 people. The lengthy dais of 120x80 feet and various cultural programs treated the film fans who enjoyed the awards evening. One from the crowd came up on the stage to hug Kicha Sudeep and his stay had to be vacated.

Power star Puneeth Rajakumar the recipient of best actor for ‘Milana’ his first state award shared the dais with his mother Smt Parvathamma Rajakumar who received the Life Time Achievement award. On public demand Puneeth Rajakumar danced for two of his film songs.

Sudeep thrilling the fans of his home town welcomed the pride of Kannada cinema Bharathi Vishnuvardhana and in a lighter vein addressed Dr Jayamala who was feeling joyous from Sudeep's address.

The four hour awards presentation evening started off with state song of the Karnataka Jayabharatha Jananiya Thanujaathe…..with 55 plus singers on stage was a treat to watch. Bharisu Kannada Dindima…..thrilled and Elladaru Iru Endendu Nee Kannada Vagiru….made everyone proud at the moment. There was clipping of 75 years of Kannada cinema on the screen at the center of the stage.

'Haadu Santoshakke' from Vijaya Raghavendra and Bhavana Rao gave a kick start to the filmy songs. Yagna Shetty, Pragna along with dancers danced for Doora Swalpa doora, Diganth’s Ello Maleyagidhe….., Puneeth Rajakumar for Bindhaas and Hosa Gana Bajana….song with Neethu, Sudeep danced for two songs Ura Kannu Yara Kannu…..and Dov Dov Davvu Maga Ranga barthavne side Hogu, Yash for Rocky film song, Bhavana for Hoo Manasa Jokali and Madhubana Karadere….. was the best, Shimoga Subbanna, Shimoga Yuvaraj, Yogish on Jinke Marina and other mixture songs treated the audience.

Information Minister Khatta Subramania Naidu addressed the gathering with already told information, BJP State President KS Ishwarappa, MP BY Raghavendra, local giants from Shimoga present on the dais. Actor Srujan Lokesh, Lakshmi Hegde anchored the show.

Click here to see - Karnataka State Awards - Gallery