Smt. Sukri Bommagowda is a folk singer belonging to the Halakki Vokkaliga tribe in Badagere village of Ankola. She has received several awards, including the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, for her contributions to the arts, and her work in preserving traditional tribal music. she is fondly known as “Nightingale of Halakis“.
The Halakki women sing about everything one cannot imagine. From fantasy to daily life chores, from marriage to protest. Sukri Ajji, as she is fondly known, began singing early along with her mother and she has a collection of more than 5000 songs, these songs have been passed on for generations while she has added on some of her own over past several decades. Ajji has been honoured with prestigious awards like Janapada Shri Award, Naduja Award and the Alva Nudisri Award.
In recent a team from Youga Trust from Bangalore on the eve of Kannada Rajyotsava month, felicitated Padma Awardees Sukri Bommu Gowda and Tusli Gowda in Ankola on the scenic beautiful seashore.