Karnataka or Kannada Rajyothsava is celebrated on November 1st every year to commemorate the formation of the Karnataka state.
India became a republic nation in 1950 and in this year linguistic provinces were formed based on the languages spoken in those regions. Mysore was one such state with kannada speaking people. On November 1, 1956 according to the States Reorganisation Act kannada speaking areas like parts of Coorg, Madras, Hyderabad, and Bombay states were merged together and the newly formed state was given the name Mysore which was a princely state.
But people of north Karnataka and Hyderabad were not happy with name Mysore as it was closely associated with the southern areas of the state and demanded a name change. And after many years of discussions and debates it was finally decided on November 1st in the year 1973 that state would be renamed Karnataka. Late Devaraj Urs the then Chief Minister of the state played a very important role in taking this decision. So officially Karnataka state was born on November 1st and so this day is celebrated as Kannada or Karnataka Rajyothsava which means state festival.
How is Karnataka Rajyotsava Celebrated?
November 1st is a public holiday in the state. This day is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm. On this day a colourful processions of multi coloured tableaux carrying the picture of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is taken out along with colourful performances by folk artists. The red and yellow Kannada flag is hoisted at many significant locations like political party offices and many business and office establishments across the state.
The annual Rajyotsva awards are also conferred by the state government on this day to awardees from different fields like music, art, dance, literature, agriculture, Information technology and science. On this day the whole state is decked up in red and yellow and people irrespective of their religion people celebrate the day with great vigour.