Kannada Prabha is one of the most popular Kannada language newspapers, published from Bangaluru. The morning daily was started on 4th November, 1967 with one edition in Bangaluru and it has another 5 publication centres in the state of Karnataka at present. These centres are located in the cities like Mangalore, Shimoga, Belgaum, Hubli and Hyderabad. The founder of Kannada Prabha was The Iron Man of Indian Journalism, Late Shri Ramnath Goenka. It is published by The New Indian Express Group, Express Publications (Madurai) Ltd. and it has celebrated its golden jubilee in a great manner in 2007.
Kannada Prabha has the credit of introducing several new concepts in Kannada journalism. It was this newspaper that published a cinema supplement for the first time in Kannada. The newspaper also published other supplements on business and astrology for the first time. The concept of daily colour printing was introduced by Kannada Prabha and it also introduced a new sleek format in Kannada journalism. Kannada Prabha has the credit of introducing modern newspaper layout and content as well.
Kannada Prabha has so far witnessed the rise of several pioneering journalists in Kannada. Most of the renowned journalists in the history of Kannada journalism were associated with this newspaper at some point of their career. The founder editor of Kannada Prabha was N S Seetharam Shastry and he was followed by K S Ramakrishna Murthy. Apart from these two editors, many illustrious editors have contributed to the establishment of Kannada Prabha. The most notable amongst them are Khadri Shamanna and Y.N. Krishnamurthy (YNK), who gave the reputation what the Kannada Prabha enjoys today. K Satyanarayana and Vekatanarayana also successfully bore the duties of Editor of Kannada Prabha. In the 21st century, the newspaper is being led by the young Editor, H.R. Ranganath and the Executive Editor, Ravi Hegde.
Though started with only one edition published from Bangaluru, Kannada Prabha now has a statewide network of 28 editions published from its six publication centres. Various supplements of Kannada Prabha have also earned significant popularity among the Kannadigas. The most famous supplements of Kannada Prabha include the Saptahika Prabha, Chitra Prabha, Vitta Prabha, Sakhi, Aramane, Navilugari, Arogya, Kreede, Jyotishya, Karnataka Kannadi, College Ranga, Dinachari, etc. Each of these supplements deals with different subjects and provides information on their respective subjects.
Kannada Prabha has already established itself as one of the most influential, daring and best designed Kannada state dailies. It has also won many prestigious awards as recognitions for its achievements. Kannada Prabha won the esteemed Karnataka Media Academy award for the Best Designed Newspaper successively for three times since the inception of the award in 2005. Apart from winning awards, Kannada Prabha has also incepted its own award, named Kannada Prabha Man of the Year award. This award is presented every year on 31st December to a man or woman who serves the people of their areas in exemplary ways at the grassroots level. The award carries a 1 lakh Rupees cash prize and citation.
As a whole, it can be said that Kannada Prabha is, undoubtedly, one of the most influential and authentic Kannada language newspapers in Karnataka. It has also successfully upheld its tagline "The Most Powerful Kannada Newspaper."
