KUVEMPU &JNANAPEETHA AWARD

BYBRUCE MISAOBA (HTJ), 2015-2018KRISTU JAYANTI COLLEGEBENGALURU, KARNATAKA

Kannada LiteratureKannada literature is the corpus of written forms of the Kannada language, a member of the Dravidian family spoken mainly in the Indian state of Karnataka and written in the Kannada script.

(ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ)

NAVODAYA- 20th Cen

LATE NAVODAYAS & THE RISE OF PROGRESSIVES

NAVYA

KANNADA LITERATURE

CLASSICAL MODERN POST MODERN

NAVODAYA

Navodaya was a period of modern literature at the Dawn of 20th century in Karnataka.

It literally means “a new birth”.

This was the reincarnation of Kannada poetry which was dormant for quite a few centuries in the face of British occupation of India.

B. M. Srikantaiah ('B. M. Sri'), is regarded as the "Father of modern Kannada literature” He called for a new era of writing original works in modern Kannada while

moving away from archaic Kannada forms. This paradigmatic shift spawned an age of prolificacy. 

This period saw greats like Srikanthaiah, Kuvempu, Bendre, Shivaram Karanth writing poetry.

- A period of modern literature

NAVODAYA - THE BIG FOUR

B.M. Srikanthaiah Kuvempu Dha. Ra. Bendre Shivaram Karanth

KUVEMPU

1904 - 1994

- ಕುವೆಂಪು

“ O nanna chetana, Agu nee aniketana ಓ ನನ್ನ ಚೇ�ತನ, ”ಆಗು ನೀ� ಅನೀಕೇ�ತನ

- Be unhoused o my soul, only the infinite is your goal

INTRODUCTION

Kuvempu was a Kannada writer, poet, playwright, critic and a thinker.

His real name was Kuppali Venkatappagowda Putappa .

He is widely known by the pen name Kuvempu or by the abbreviation K. V. Puttappa.

He wrote all his literary works under the pen name Kuvempu.

His writing genre was - fiction, poetry, drama & essays. He is among the pioneers of the literary movement Navodaya in

the 20th century

He is the first among the Kannada writers to receive Jnanpeetha Award for Kannada.

He was decorated with the honorific Rashtrakavi by the Govt of Karnataka in the year 1958 for his contributions to Kannada Literature.

He is the second among the Kannada poets to be revered as Rashtrakavi (after M. Govinda Pai).

He is immortalized by his work Sri Ramayana Darshanam; the rewriting of ancient Indian epic Ramayana in Kannada language

He penned the Karnataka State anthem - Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate

He is widely regarded as the Greatest Poet of 20th century Kannada literature.

EARLY LIFE

Kuvempu was born 29 December 1904 in Hirekodige, Koppa taluk, of Chikmagalur district to a native Kannada family.

His father was of Venkatappa Gowda of Kuppalli and mother Seethamma of Hirekodige, a near by village.

He was brought up in a place in the lush Malenadu region of Tirthahalli, called Kuppali, of Shivamogga district.

He died on 9 November 1994 in Mysore at the age of 89.

CHIKKAMAGALURU

SHIVAMOGGA

BENGALURU

KARNATAKA

EDUCATION

His education began at his home by an appointed teacher from Dakshina Kannada district.

He joined Anglo Vernacular school in Tirthahalli to continue his middle school education.

Kuvempu finished his lower and secondary education in Kannada and English in Thirthahalli.

He moved to Mysore for further education and completed his high school from the Wesleyan high school.

He pursued his college studies in from Maharaja College of Mysore and graduated in 1929 majoring in Kannada.

CAREER

Kuvempu began his academic career as a lecturer of Kannada language at Maharaja College of Mysore in 1929.

He served as an assistant professor in central college of Bangalore from 1936.

He rejoined Maharaja college of Mysore in 1946 as a professor. He went on to become a principal of Maharaja college in 1955.

Soon in 1956 he was elected as the Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University where he served till retirement in 1960.

He was the first graduate from Mysore University to rise to that position.

LITERARY WORKSNovels - Kaanuru Subbamma Heggadati (1936) - Malegalalli Madumagalu (1967) – “ the bride in the mountains."

Epics- Chitrangada- Sri Ramayana Darshanam, Volume-1 (1949), Volume-2 (1957) [Modern epic (Mahakavya)] - Chandramanchake Baa Chakori (1954) Collection of Poems - Ikshugangotri (1957) - Kolalu (1930) - Kabbigana kaibutti - Panchajanya (1936) - Pakszhikaashi - Navillu (1937) - Jenaaguvaa - Kindarijogi Mattu Itara Kavanagalu (1938) - Kutichaka - Kogile Mattu Soviet Russia (1944) - Kadiradake - Shoodra Tapaswi (1946) - Kathana KavanagaLu - Kavya Vihara (1946) - Kinkini (1946) - Agnihamsa (1946) - Prema Kashmira (1946)

Plays - Birugaali (1930) - Maharatri (1931) - SmashaaNa kurukshetram (1931) - Jalagaara (1931) - Raktaakshi(1932) - Shudra Tapaswi (1944) - Beralge koral (1947) - Yamana solu - Chandrahaasa - Balidaana

Autobiography - Nenapina Doniyali (1980)

Collection of Stories - Malenaadina Chitragalu (1933) - Sanyaasi Mattu Itare KategaLu (1937) - Nanna Devaru Mattu Itara Kategalu (1940)

Literary Criticism - Atmashreegagi Nirankushamatigalagi (1944) - Kavyavihara (1946) - Taponandana (1951) - Vibhuthi Pooje (1953) - Draupadiya Shrimudi (1960) - Vicharakrantige Ahvana (1976) - Sahityaprachara

Biography - Swami Vivekananda(1926) - Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa(1934) - Guruvinodane Devaredege

Stories for Children - Bommanahalliya kindarijogi(1936) - Mari vijnani(1947) - Meghapura(1947) - Nanna mane(1947) - Nanna gopaala - Amalana kathe - Sahasa pavana

MoviesKanooru Heggadithi (directed by Girish Karnad).

MAJOR LITERARY CONTRIBUTIONS

Sri Ramayana Darshanam Vol 1 (1949), Vol 2 (1957) - ಶ್ರಿ�� ರಾಮಾಯಣ ದರ್ಶ�ನ

Shudra Tapasvi (1944) - ರ್ಶೂದ� ತಪಸ್ವಿ#

Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate - ಜಯ ಭಾರತ ಜನನೀಯ ತನುಜಾತೆ

Malegalalli Madumagalu (1967) – The bride in the mountains

SRI RAMAYANA DARSHANAM Vol 1 (1949), Vol 2 (1957) - A Modern Epic

Jnanpeeth Award (1967)

(ಶ್ರಿ�ೕ ರಾಮಾಯಣ ದರ್ಶ�ನ)

It is the rewriting of the great ancient Indian epic Ramayana by Valmiki in modern Kannada & is regarded as revival of the era of Mahakavya (Epic poetry) in a contemporary form and charm.

This work is the complete Ramayana in Kannada.

Kuvempu (from the Vokkaliga community) gives a different perspective to the characters in the Ramayana unlike the portrayal of characters by Valmiki. This won him the prestigious Jnanapeeth Award in 1967.

It also underscores his vision of Sarvodaya (Upliftment of One & All).  The protogonist of his epic, Lord Rama, personifies this when he tests himself along with his consort Sita by jumping into the fire.

It hence, reflects his resentment against casteism, meaningless practices and rituals.

SHUDRA TAPASVI (1944) - Play

Hunnime Hadu’s play of Shudra Tapasvi April 25th, 2016 at 7 pm in Adima(Kolar)Musical programme by T. Rajaram, Malini Keshava Prasad and party.

(ರ್ಶೂದ� ತಪಸ್ವಿ�)

This play depicts the killing of Shambuka, a Shudra Ascetic who was slain by Lord Rama for attempting to perform a penance in violation of Dharma, the bad Karma resulting from which caused the death of a Brahmin’s son. It is believed that Shambuka was beheaded in a hill at Ramtek, near Nagpur in Maharashtra

In this play shows Lord Rama as having to both carry out his duty by punishing Shambuka (the main character in the play), and simultaneously protect Shambuka, as a pious and devout sage, from persecution, and thereby turns the story into a critique of Brahminical attitudes and a defense of Rama.

This writing reflects his resentment against the Caste System according to which the shudras were unfit to attain knowledge in the Ancient Indian Society.

Source - The killing of Shambuk appears in the Valmiki’s Ramayana, Book 7, the 'Uttarakanda' (Final Chapter), sargas 73-76, in the Adhyatma Ramayana version of Ramayana. Scholars such as Purushottama Candra Jaina & John Brockington writes that this story "is of late origin".

Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate - Karnataka State Anthem

“Jaya bharata jananiya tanujate Jai he karnataka mate Jaya sundara nadi vanagala naade Jai he rasa rushigala beede Bhoodeviya mukutada nava maniye Gandhada chandada honnina ganiye Raghava madhusudhanaravatarisida Bharata jananiya tanujaathe Jai he karnataka mate Jananiya jogula vedada ghosha Jananige jeevavu ninna vesha Hasurina girigala saale Ninnaya koralina maale Kapila patanjala gautama jinanuta Bharata jananiya tanujaate Jaya he karnataka mate”

-   ಜಯ ಭಾರತ ಜನನಿಯ ತನುಜಾತೆ (Victory to you Mother Karnataka)

The poem was officially declared the state anthem of the Indian state of Karnataka on January 6, 2004.

The poem envisages a Karnataka that recognises its position in the comity (an association of nations for their mutual benefit).of Indian states, believes in peaceful co-existence with her sisters, but at the same time maintains her self-respect and dignity from a position of confidence and strength rather than insecurity and fear.

It therefore, contributed to the in the Rise Of Nationalism in Karnataka in the 20th Century.

Its is a 1967 Kannada novel by popular author and poet, Kuvempu. The title Malegalalli Madumagalu translates to "the bride in the mountains.”

The author discusses social and economic conditions prevailed in the late 19th Century Malenadu. The story revolves around characters of the then prevailing feudal system- Heggades/Gowdas (the landlords) and their slaves belonging to different castes at multiple locations with interlinking characters and their stories.

The novel is acclaimed and very popular among Kannada readers, and is often prescribed as one of the "must-reads" novels of Kannada language.

Malegalalli Madumagalu (1967) – “The Bride In The Mountains”

LEGACY

He is credited for giving Kannada hundreds of new words, phrases and terminologies with distinctly precise ideas

He spearheaded Kannada as a medium for education, emphasizing the theme of "Education in Mother tongues".

To cater to the needs of Kannada research, he founded the Kannada Adhyayana Samsthe (The Institute of Kannada Studies) in Mysore University, which has since been renamed after him as Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS).

As Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University, he pioneered the study

of Basic Sciences and Languages.

He also championed the Publishing of knowledge for laymen, started by G. Hanumanta Rao.

Kuvempu was more than a writer, and the way he lived his life was in itself a great message. He was against casteism, meaningless practices and rituals.

Kuvempu's writings also reflect his resentment against the - Caste System e.g• Kuvempu (from the Vokkaliga community) gives a different

perspective to the characters of Valmiki’s Ramayana in his modern epic or Mahakavya Sri Ramayana Darshanam -

This work is the Complete Ramayana in Kannada. It won him the prestigious Jnanapeetha Award in 1967.

• Karnataka Ratna (1992)• Padma Vibhushan (1988)• Pampa Award (1987)• Jnanpith Award (1967)• Rashtrakavi "National Poet" (1964)• Padma Bhushan (1958)• Sahitya Akademi Award (1955)

AWARDS

Chakracharanake swagatha – "Welcome to wheel footed" when he bought his first car

Uluva Yogi ("tilling Yogi") is the title he gave to the farmer

Sarvarige samapaalu, sarvarige samabaalu ("Equal share for all, Equal life for all", when he and called for egalitarian society).

O nanna chetana, Agu nee aniketana ("Be unhoused O my soul, only the infinite is your goal").

QUOTES

“Greatest Poet of 20th century Kannada Literature”

JNANPEETHA AWARD

The Jnanpeeth Award is the highest literary honour conferred in the Republic of India. An Indian citizen who writes in any of the 22 Official Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India and English is eligible for the honour, with no posthumous conferral.

The award carries A cheque of ₹11 lakh (US$ 16,000) A citation plaque and A bronze replica of the Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of knowledge & wisdom.

The Jnanpeeth Award was instituted on May 22, 1961 & The first award was given in 1965.

Its first recipient was Malayalam writer G. Sankara Kurup in 1965.

The most recent recipient of the award is novelist, poet and critic - Raghuveer Chaudhari who was awarded for the year 2015.

Kuvempu - Shri Ramayana Darshanam (1967)

Dha. Raa. Bendhre - Naaku Tanti or Nakutani (1973)

Shivaram Karanth - Mookajjiya Kanasugalu (1977)

Masti Venkatesh Iyenga - Chikkaveera Raajendhra (1983)

Vi. Kru. Gokak - Bhaaratha Sindhhu Rashmi (1990)

Girish Karnad - His works in Kannada (1994)

U. R. Ananthamurthy - His contributions to modern Indian drama (1998)

Chandrashekar Kambar - His contribution to the literature field (2011)

As of August 2016, Kannada has so far won eight, the highest number of Jnanapeetha Awards, the most prestigious literary award given by the Government of India.

The list of Awardees include :

Language Number of IndividualsReceived Jnanapeetha Award

Hindi 9Kannada 8Bengali 5Malayalam 5Oriya 4Urdu 4Gujarati 3Marathi 3Telugu 3Assamese 2Tamil 2

AWARD STANDINGS

As of August 2015 -

YEAR NAME WORK LANGUAGE

1976 Ashapurna Devi Pratham Pratisruti Bengali

1981 Amrita Pritam Kagaj te Canvas Punjabi

1982 Mahadevi Varma Yama Hindi

1989 Qurratulain Hyder Akhire Shab Ke Humsafar Urdu

1996 Mahasweta Devi Hajar Churashir Maa Bengali

2000 Indira Goswami Assamese

2011 Pratibha Ray Oriya

LIST OF WOMEN RECIPIENTS

THANK YOU