The National Film Awards, established in 1954, are the most prominent film awards in India that merit the best of the Indian cinema. The ceremony also presents awards for films in various regional languages.
Awards for films in seven regional language (Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu) started from 2nd National Film Awards which were presented on 21 December 1955.[2] Three awards of "President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film", "Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film" and "Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Feature Film" were instituted. The latter two certificate awards were discontinued from 15th National Film Awards (1967).
Directed by H. L. N. Simha, the 1954 film Bedara Kannappa, received the first Certificate of Merit. The film was based on the folktale of the hunter Kannappa who proves his extreme devotion to Lord Shiva by plucking out both of his eyes. However, the first "President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Kannada" was only awarded at the 5th National Film Awards ceremony held on 16 April 1958 to the 1957 film Premada Puthri.[3] The film was directed by R. Nagendra Rao and produced under his banner R. N. R. Pictures. Following is the list of Silver Lotus Award (Rajat Kamal) recipient films produced in Kannada language.
Winners
Award includes 'Rajat Kamal' (Silver Lotus Award) and cash prize. Following are the award winners over the years:
Awards legends
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President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film
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Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film
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Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Feature Film
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Certificate of Merit for the Best Feature Film
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Indicates a joint award for that year
List of award films, showing the year (award ceremony), producer(s), director(s) and citation
For exploring the conflict between tradition and change in an Indian and Western cultures, for employing the symbol of the sacred cow as a bridge between two civilisations, for the bucolic charm projected through the film's austere setting and particularly through the behaviour of its elderly characters.
For delineating the code of warrior's ethics in a medieval setting with a modern vision. The film has excellent outdoor photography, high standard of acting and an eye-catching decor.
For its political satire depicting the present-day social situation wherein the innocent citizens are made pawns in the hands of politicians with vested interests.
For its strong statement about a widow surmounting severe trials in an unfamiliar land and circumstances and finding love against a background of terrorism.
For delineating the way in which the larger political system influences and manipulates the lives of ordinary people at various levels, a commendable critique of the corroding corruption and power managing forces.
For addressing the universal affliction of terrorism. It portrays the impact of this scourge on innocent lives, human relations and behavioural patterns. It examines the issue at a human level with which viewers can empathise.
Gulabi Talkies traces the impact of new media on a fishing community of coastal Karnataka, against the backdrop of globalised business practices and growing communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims at the turn of the century.
For a persuasive articulation of a topical social issue where in the name of development, land is appropriated and people are displaced as a consequence.
For the subtle interplay between two paths along which director's protagonist moves: the path of his ordinary life and the path thrown open to him by a role in a TV serial, and the consequences that follow.
This film captures the fight of folk artists against urbanisation. Set in a fictional village believed to be the birthplace of the art form Dollu Kunitha, Dollu is the story of Bhadra, a Dollu drummer.
^"62nd National Film Awards"(PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. 24 March 2015. Archived(PDF) from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
^"63rd National Film Awards"(PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. 28 March 2016. Archived(PDF) from the original on 7 October 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2016.