Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Apr 1: The Karnataka Working Journalists Association (KUWJ) has announced its annual awards for the year 2024, with senior journalist Sridhar Uchchil from Mumbai being selected for the KUWJ Special Award. He is a member of the KUWJ Maharashtra state unit and a senior journalist with the Kannada daily Karnataka Malla.
The awards will be presented during the 40th State Journalists’ Conference to be held in Bidar on April 11 and 12, according to a release issued by state president Shivananda Tagadur and general secretary G C Lokesh.
Sridhar Uchchil, a senior journalist among Kannadiga journalists residing outside Karnataka, is also a member of the Karnataka Journalists Association, Maharashtra (Regd). He is noted as the first journalist serving in Mumbai to receive the KUWJ Special Award. President of KUWJ Maharashtra unit Dr Shiva Moodigere, along with office-bearers and members, expressed gratitude to the parent body of KUWJ (Bengaluru) for selecting Uchchil and congratulated him. President of the Karnataka Journalists Association, Maharashtra, Dr G P Kusuma, also congratulated him and described the award as recognition of his long and outstanding service to Kannada journalism in Maharashtra.
Profile of Sridhar Sanjeeva Uchchil
Sridhar Sanjeeva Uchchil was born to Sanjeeva Uchchil and Lakshmi Uchchil in Uchchil of Mangaluru taluk in coastal Karnataka. After completing his early education in Vittal, he moved to Mumbai in pursuit of his dreams.
With deep respect for Kannada language and culture, immense love for art, and a strong passion for writing, Uchchil joined Karnataka Malla to express his creativity. Starting as a freelance journalist, he later became an official reporter and columnist for the paper, contributing to columns such as ‘Kalakshetra’ and ‘Kalachavadi’. For over 25 years, he has remained actively associated with the publication and has become a well-known reporter among Tulu-Kannadigas not only in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, but also across the country and abroad.
Through his writings, Uchchil has introduced more than 1,100 artists to the Tulu-Kannada community, reflecting his deep appreciation for art. His notable work ‘Kalakshetra’ stands as a unique contribution highlighting the exceptional service of hundreds of artists.
He has been honoured by numerous organisations with awards and recognitions including Yaksharaksha Award (2018), Best Journalist Award, Gold Medal, and the Kala Mathashree title. He has also received the Madhyamashree Award from Shri Shakti Foundation Maharashtra and the Akshara Namana Award from Naman Friends, showcasing his exceptional talent.
In addition to various organisations in Mumbai, he has been felicitated by prominent theatre and Yakshagana personalities and groups including Devadas Kapikad, Vijaykumar Kodialbail, Kishore D Shetty, Sharath Shetty Kinnigoli, and Leeladhar Shetty Kapu. His close association with theatre artists, Tulu-Kannada film actors, writers, and organisers, and the love and respect he enjoys among them, stand testimony to his warm and generous personality.