ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪzɪŋ hɪz kˌɑːntɹɪbjˈuːʃən tə kˈɑːnədə θˈiəɾɚ ænd ˈæktɪvˌɪzəm ɪn pɹəmˈoʊɾɪŋ ænd sˈeɪfɡɑːɹdɪŋ kˈɑːnədəlˈæŋɡwɪdʒ, tʃˈændɹuː wʌz ɐwˈɔːɹdᵻd ɐn ˈɑːnɚɹˌɛɹi dˈɑːktɚɹˌeɪt baɪ ðə ɡˈʌlbɑːɹɡə jˌuːnɪvˈɜːsᵻɾi.
Recognizing his contribution to Kannada theatre and activism in promoting and safeguarding Kannada-language, Chandru was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Gulbarga University.