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{{Short description|Karnataka formation day}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Karnataka Rajyostsava <hr/> Kannada Rajyotsava Day<hr/>{{small|Karnataka State Day}}
| image = Mahila Dollu Kunita.jpg
| imagesize = 200px
| caption = Traditional dance of ''[[Dollu Kunitha]]'' in progress as part of Rajyotsava
| type = local
| longtype = State
| nickname = Kannada Rajyotsava, Karnataka Formation Day
| scheduling = same day each year
| frequency = annual
| observedby = [[Kannadiga]]s in India and overseas<ref name="daiji">[http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=39779&n_tit=Dubai%3A+Karnataka+Sangha+Celebrates+Kannada +Rajyotsava Dubai: Karnataka Sangha Celebrates Karnataka Rajyotsava] daijiworld.com</ref>
| date = 1 November
| celebrations = Hoisting of [[Kannada flag]], Processions, Cultural events, [[Rajyotsava Prashasti|Rajyotsava Awards]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131001152506/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-10-31/bangalore/27947583_1_rajyotsava-award-awards-committee-kannada-and-culture-department Rajyotsava award list soars to 90] ''The Times of India'' 31 October 2008</ref>
| significance = Unification of [[Kannada]]-speaking regions of South India as the [[Karnataka|state of Karnataka]]
| ends = 1 day after the start only in Karnataka State of India
| begins = Every year 1 November
}}
'''Karnataka Rajyotsava''' also known as '''Karnataka State Day''' or '''Kannada Day''' amongst the [[Indian diaspora]], is a [[public holiday]] celebrated annually on 1 November in the Indian state of [[Karnataka]]. It commemorates the merger in 1956 of the [[Kannada]]-speaking regions of southwestern India under the [[States Reorganisation Act]] to form the state in Bangalore.<ref>[https://www.oneindia.com/2010/11/01/kannadigas-celebrate-karnata-rajyotsava-on-nov-1.html "Kannadigas celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava on Nov 1"] news.oneindia.in</ref>

Kannada Rajyotsava is listed as a government holiday in Karnataka<ref name="fesindia">[http://www.festivalsofindia.in/rajyotsava_day/ Festivals of India – Rajyotsava Day] www.festivalsofindia.in</ref> and is celebrated by [[Kannadiga]]s across the world.<ref name="daiji" /> It is marked by the announcement and presentation of the honours list for [[Rajyotsava Prashasti|Rajyotsava Awards]] by the [[government of Karnataka]], the hoisting of the [[Kannada flag|Karnataka flag]] with an address from the [[Chief Minister of Karnataka|chief minister]] and [[governor of Karnataka]],<ref name="govern">[https://archive.today/20130125234840/http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/ktk-governor-greets-people-ahead-of-rajyotsava-day/876351.html Karnataka Governor greets people ahead of 'Rajyotsava Day'] IBN Live</ref> as well as community festivals, orchestra, [[Kannada]] book releases, and concerts.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110130225552/http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/02/stories/2010110260460300.htm ‘Sacrifice of Kannadigas should be remembered'] ''The Hindu''</ref>

==History==
{{main article|Unification of Karnataka}}
[[Aluru Venkata Rao]] was the first person who dreamt of unifying the State as early as 1905 with the [[Unification of Karnataka|''Karnataka Ekikarana'']] movement.<ref name="govern" /> In 1950, [[History of the Republic of India|India became republic]] and different provinces were formed in the country on basis of language spoken in the particular region and this gave birth to the state of Mysore including various places in south India, which the kings earlier ruled.<ref name="fesindia" /> On 1 November 1956, [[Mysore state]], comprising most of the area of the erstwhile [[Kingdom of Mysore|princely state of Mysore]], was merged with the Kannada-speaking areas of the [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay]] and [[Madras Presidency|Madras]] presidencies, as also of the principality of [[Hyderabad state|Hyderabad]], to create a unified Kannada-speaking sub-national entity. [[North Karnataka]], [[Malnad]] ([[Kanara|Canara]]), and [[Mysore (region)|old Mysore]] were thus the three regions of the newly formed Mysore state.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

The [[Mysore state|newly unified state]] initially retained the name "Mysore", which was that of the erstwhile princely state which formed the core of the new entity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.karnataka.com/profile/rajyotsava/|title=Karnataka Rajyotsava|date=29 October 2017|accessdate=3 February 2024}}</ref> But the people of North Karnataka did not favour the retention of the name Mysore, as it was closely associated with the erstwhile principality and the southern areas of the new state. In deference to this logic, the state's name was changed to "Karnataka" on 1 November 1973. [[D. Devaraj Urs|Devaraj Arasu]] was the Chief Minister of the state when this landmark decision was taken.<ref>Bourah, Maitreyee (2 November 2010) [http://www.dnaindia.com/bengaluru/report_in-the-dark-about-rajyotsava-in-bengaluru_1460925 In the dark about Rajyotsava in Bangalore] ''DNA''</ref> Other people credited for the unification of Karnataka include littérateurs like [[K. Shivaram Karanth]], [[Kuvempu]], [[Masti Venkatesha Iyengar]], [[A. N. Krishna Rao]], and [[B. M. Srikantaiah]].<ref name="govern" />

==Celebrations of Karnataka Rajyotsava==
[[File:Flag of the Kannada people.svg|thumb|140px|left|The [[Kannada flag]], used as an emblem of Kannada culture]]

Rajyotsava Day is celebrated with great joy and vigour all over Karnataka. The entire state wears a festive look on this day as the red and yellow Kannada flags are hoisted at different strategic locations across the state and the [[Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate|Kannada anthem]] ("''Jaya Bharatha Jananiya Tanujate''") is chanted.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131203063815/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-11-01/bangalore/27962316_1_rajyotsava-kannada-celebrations Rajyotsava celebrations delayed] ''The Times of India'', 1 November 2007</ref> The flag is hoisted at political party offices and several localities even as youth in many areas take out processions on their vehicles.<ref name="hinducult" /> Religion not being a factor, the Rajyotsava is celebrated by Hindus, Muslims,<ref>[http://archive.deccanherald.com/content/Nov222007/district2007112237072.asp Muslim youth celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava in Tumkur] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014600/http://archive.deccanherald.com/content/Nov222007/district2007112237072.asp |date=3 December 2013 }}</ref> and Christians as well.<ref>[http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=67812&n_tit=bangalore%3A+rajyotsava+celebrates+at+st+francis+xavier+cathedral Bangalore: Rajyotsava Celebrations at St Francis Xavier Cathedral] www.daijiworld.com</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071115231652/http://www.hindu.com/2005/11/03/stories/2005110316950400.htm Christians celebrate Rajyotsava] ''The Hindu'' 3 November 2005</ref>

=== Government procession ===
The [[Government of Karnataka|state government]] asserts the [[Rajyotsava Prashasti|Rajyotsava awards]] and [[Karnataka Ratna]] on this day, which are awarded to people responsible for outstanding contributions in the development of Karnataka.<ref name="fesindia" /> The [[Chief Minister of Karnataka|Chief Minister of the State]] inaugurates the cultural show which is customarily held at Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore.<ref name="hinducult">[https://web.archive.org/web/20101231100654/http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/02/stories/2010110265282000.htm The Hindu – Bangalore celebrates State's 55th birthday]</ref> Awards are presented to students who have won medals in various national games.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090413043537/http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110257730100.htm 53rd Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations] ''The Hindu'' 2 November 2008</ref>

The celebrations are marked by multicoloured tableaux carrying the picture of the [[Bhuvaneshwari|Goddess Bhuvaneshwari]] mounted on a decorated vehicle.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130125053018/http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/02/stories/2010110261250300.htm Minister Ramdas hoists Kannada flag on Karnataka Rajyotsava] ''The Hindu''</ref> The colourful procession is also accompanied by performances of the folk artists in the fields of drama ([[Bayalata]]), traditional dance ([[Dollu Kunitha]], [[Kamsale]], [[Veeragase]], [[Kolata]]), and classical [[carnatic music]].<ref name="fesindia" />

=== Private establishments ===

[[File:Kannada Rajyotsava.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kannadigas]] decorated their [[Motorcycle]] with the Kannada flags]]

[[File:Kannada Flag Auto.jpg|thumb|left|[[Auto rickshaw]]s and other vehicles are decorated with yellow and red themes signifying the Kannada flag]]

Since 1 November is a public holiday, it is celebrated at commercial establishments on the following days of the week. Kannada flags are prominently hoisted and displayed at almost all office and business establishments across the city of [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]].<ref name="hinducult" /> Being a hub of several [[Software industry|IT companies]],<ref>[http://www.karnataka.com/industry/software/ Information Technology in Karnataka] www.karnataka.com</ref> Bengaluru's major firms like [[Tata Consultancy Services|TCS]], [[IBM]], [[Thomson Reuters]], [[Wipro]], [[Robert Bosch]], [[SAP Labs#Organization|SAP Labs]],<ref>[http://www.namkannada.com/pages/html/karya.html SAP Labsನಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಡ ಹಬ್ಬ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425122215/http://www.namkannada.com/pages/html/karya.html |date=25 April 2012 }}</ref> [[Accenture]], [[Alcatel-Lucent]],<ref>[https://kannada.oneindia.com/festivals/general/2009/1210-kannada-rajyotsava-2009-alcatel-lucent.html ಅಲ್ಕಟೆಲ್ ಲ್ಯೂಸೆಂಟ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಡಹಬ್ಬ] kannada.oneindia.in</ref> and [[Infosys]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090201164932/http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/29/stories/2008112952090300.htm Rajyotsava at Infosys] ''The Hindu'' 29 November 2008</ref> encourage employees to showcase the local favour by holding cultural events. The IT crowd shows their support by wearing Kannada-themed T-shirts to workplaces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/2011102520111025004147580714b2590/On-Rajyotsava-say-%E2%80%98Kannada-Baruthe%E2%80%99.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028210931/http://bangaloremirror.com/article/10/2011102520111025004147580714b2590/On-Rajyotsava-say-%E2%80%98Kannada-Baruthe%E2%80%99.html|url-status=dead|title=On Rajyotsava, say 'Kannada Baruthe'|archive-date=28 October 2011}}</ref> Educational institutions also hold such events at schools along with flag-hoisting and the rendering of ''naadageethe''.<ref>[http://schools.papyrusclubs.com/gis/events/karnataka-rajyotsava Karnataka Rajyotsava at Gopalan International School] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430145803/http://schools.papyrusclubs.com/gis/events/karnataka-rajyotsava |date=30 April 2012 }} schools.papyrusclubs.com</ref><ref>Mohan Kumar, BN (2 November 2010) [http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/slideshow_55th-kannada-rajyotsava-celebrations_1461046-4#top 55th Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations] ''DNA''</ref>

=== Non-resident Kannadigas ===
Apart from celebrations in Karnataka, it is also observed in other regions of India with significant Kannadiga population like [[Mumbai]], New Delhi,<ref>[http://in.news.yahoo.com/karnataka-rajyotsava-celebrated-delhi.html Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrated in New Delhi] Yahoo! 1 November 2010</ref> [[Gurgaon]],<ref>[https://kannada.oneindia.com/festivals/rajyotsava/2010/1207-kannada-rajyotsava-gurgaon-delhi-sangha.html ಗುರ್‌ಗಾಂವ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ ಆಚರಣೆ] (in Kannada) kannada.oneindia.in</ref> and [[Chennai]].<ref>[http://www.naavi.org/kannada/karyakrama.htm Rajyotsava celebrations conducted in Chennai] www.naavi.org</ref> Overseas Kannada organisations also take part in the festivities by arranging cultural events in countries like the United States,<ref>[http://kannada.oneindia.in/nri/article/2010/1202-diwali-kannada-rajyotsava-seattle-america.html ಸಿಯಾಟಲ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಮತ್ತು ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406205753/http://kannada.oneindia.in/nri/article/2010/1202-diwali-kannada-rajyotsava-seattle-america.html |date=6 April 2012 }} (in Kannada) kannada.oneindia.in</ref> the United Kingdom, Singapore,<ref>[https://kannada.oneindia.com/nri/article/2008/1206-rajyotsava-deepavali-in-singapore.html ಸಿಂಗಪುರದಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವದ ಸಿಂಗಾರ] (in Kannada) kannada.oneindia.in</ref> UAE,<ref>[http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=68153&n_tit=Dubai%3A+Kannada+Koota+UAE+to+Celebrate+Kannada+Rajyotsava+on+Nov+13+ "Kannada Koota UAE to Celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava on Nov 13"] www.daijiworld.com</ref> Qatar,<ref>[http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=154643 Doha: Karnataka Sangha Qatar to Celebrate Rajyotsava Day] www.daijiworld.com</ref> Oman,<ref>[http://www.coastaldigest.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17170:guru-kiran-night&catid=77:nri-events&Itemid=76 Gurukiran enthrals audience at Rajyotsava celebrations in Muscat] www.coastaldigest.com</ref> South Korea,<ref>[http://kannada.oneindia.in/nri/article/2011/1103-kannada-rajyotsava-2011-korea-kannada-koota-aid0037.html ಕೊರಿಯ ಕನ್ನಡ ಕೂಟದ ಕನ್ನಡ ಕರೆಯೋಲೆ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406211030/http://kannada.oneindia.in/nri/article/2011/1103-kannada-rajyotsava-2011-korea-kannada-koota-aid0037.html |date=6 April 2012 }} (in Kannada) kannada.oneindia.in</ref> Australia,<ref>[https://kannada.oneindia.com/nri/article/2010/1216-kannada-rajyotsava-adelaide-australia.html ಅಡಿಲೇಡ್ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಸಂಭ್ರಮದ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ] (in Kannada) kannada.oneindia.in</ref> New Zealand,<ref>[https://kannada.oneindia.com/nri/article/2010/1211-kannada-rajyotsava-auckland-blood-donation.html ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ : ನ್ಯೂಜಿಲೆಂಡ್ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಿಂದ ರಕ್ತದಾನ] (in Kannada) kannada.oneindia.in</ref> Scotland,<ref>[http://kannada.oneindia.in/nri/article/2010/1122-scottish-karnataka-sangha-rajyotsava.html ಸ್ಕಾಟ್ಲಂಡ್ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸಂಘದ ಕನ್ನಡ ಡಿಂಡಿಮ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406210925/http://kannada.oneindia.in/nri/article/2010/1122-scottish-karnataka-sangha-rajyotsava.html |date=6 April 2012 }} (in Kannada) kannada.oneindia.in</ref> Ireland,<ref>[https://kannada.oneindia.com/nri/article/2010/1119-irishkannadigaru-kannada-festival-2010-dublin.html ಐರಿಶ್ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಹಬ್ಬ 2010] (in Kannada) kannada.oneindia.in</ref> Netherlands,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shrigandha.nl/|title=ಶ್ರೀಗಂಧ ಹಾಲೆಂಡ್ ಕನ್ನಡ ಬಳಗ|accessdate=3 February 2024}}</ref> and Germany.
{{clear}}

== See also ==
* [[Kerala Piravi]], also celebrated on 1 November
*{{Portal inline|Holidays}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Indian state foundation days}}
{{Karnataka topics}}

[[Category:1956 in India]]
[[Category:Culture of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Indian state foundation days]]
[[Category:November observances]]
[[Category:Public holidays in India]]

Karnataka Rajyotsava - Revision history

AryaInIND at 21:04, 4 February 2026