CM Shivakumar pays floral tribute at Kempegowda statue
Synopsis
Deputy CM D K Shivakumar paid floral tributes to Nadaprabhu Kempegowda at the statue near Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on 27 June 2026, marking the 517th birth anniversary of the city's 16th-century founder.
Key Takeaways
D K Shivakumar garlanded the statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda near Kempegowda International Airport on 27 June 2026 .
The occasion marks the 517th birth anniversary of Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru in 1537 .
The airport was renamed Kempegowda International Airport in 2013 to honour the city's founder.
The statue near the airport has become the primary site for official Kempegowda Jayanti observances in Bengaluru.
Karnataka's ruling Congress government participated in the annual tribute as part of a recurring pattern of marking regional heritage anniversaries.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday, 27 June 2026, paid floral tributes to Nadaprabhu Kempegowda at his statue near Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, marking the 517th birth anniversary of the city's 16th-century founder.
Context
The Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka posted on X that Shivakumar garlanded the statue of Kempegowda and paid his respects to the Nadaprabhu (meaning 'lord of the land') on the occasion of the 517th Kempegowda Jayanti. The ceremony was held at the statue located near the airport that bears his name.
Nadaprabhu Kempegowda is credited with founding Bengaluru in 1537 and is revered across Karnataka as a symbol of Kannada pride and heritage. His birth anniversary is observed each year as a day of civic and cultural significance in the state.
Policy Backdrop
The airport's association with Kempegowda dates to 2013, when Bengaluru International Airport was officially renamed Kempegowda International Airport to honour the city's founder. The renaming was widely seen as an affirmation of Kannada cultural identity and regional pride.
A large bronze statue of Kempegowda was subsequently installed near the airport, making it a prominent site for official observances on his birth anniversary. The statue has since become a focal point for annual Jayanti events attended by senior state leaders.
Stakeholders and Impact
Bengaluru residents and Kannada cultural organisations have long championed the commemoration of Kempegowda Jayanti as a reaffirmation of the city's roots. Events at the airport statue draw public attention to the historical legacy of the founder amid the city's rapid modern growth.
For the ruling Congress government in Karnataka, participation in such observances signals alignment with local cultural sentiment. Shivakumar, who represents constituencies in the Bengaluru region, has been a consistent presence at major civic and cultural events in the city.
What's Next
State governments in Karnataka have historically used Kempegowda Jayanti to announce or highlight heritage and urban development initiatives. Any such announcements tied to this year's observance are expected to follow in the coming days.
With Bengaluru's airport infrastructure under ongoing expansion discussion, the Jayanti observances may also draw renewed attention to proposals connected to the airport precinct and surrounding heritage sites.
Point of View
Where leaders across party lines compete to visibly champion Kannada heritage. Shivakumar's presence at the airport statue underscores the Congress government's effort to consolidate its standing among Bengaluru's urban electorate and Kannada cultural constituencies. The choice of the airport site — a landmark that blends modern infrastructure with historical identity — amplifies the symbolic weight of the gesture. As Karnataka politics remains sensitive to regional pride, such observances carry electoral resonance well beyond ceremonial value.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nadaprabhu Kempegowda?
Nadaprabhu Kempegowda was a 16th-century chieftain who founded the city of Bengaluru in 1537. He is revered as a symbol of Kannada heritage and civic pride.
Why is the Bengaluru airport named after Kempegowda?
Bengaluru's primary airport was renamed Kempegowda International Airport in 2013 to honour the city's founder and affirm Kannada cultural identity.
What is Kempegowda Jayanti?
Kempegowda Jayanti is the annual birth anniversary celebration of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, observed each year with official ceremonies, wreath-laying events, and cultural programmes across Karnataka.
What did DK Shivakumar do on Kempegowda Jayanti 2026?
On 27 June 2026, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar garlanded the statue of Kempegowda near Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru to mark the 517th birth anniversary of the city's founder.
Where is the Kempegowda statue in Bengaluru?
A prominent statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda is located near Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and serves as the main site for official Jayanti observances.
