Kuvempu - (ಕುವೆಂಪು) is the pen name of a well-known Kannada writer/poet of the 20th century, Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa (29 December 1904 - 1994). He is a recipient of the highest award for literary work in India, the Jnanpith Award. He was the first Kannada writer to receive this honour. His work Sri Ramayana Darshanam, the rewriting of the great ancient Indian epic Ramayana in modern-day Kannada, is regarded as revival of the era of Mahakayva (Epic poetry) in a contemporary form and charm. He is immortalised by some of his phrases, and in particular for his contribution to Universal Humanism or, in his own words, "Vishwa maanavataa Vaada". Kannada - aptly described as sirigannada (known to few as Kanarese) is one of the oldest Dravidian languages and is spoken in its various dialects by roughly 45 million people. ... December 29 is the 363rd day of the year (364th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 2 days remaining. ... 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... The Jnanpith Award is the highest literary honour conferred in the Republic of India. ... Sri Ramayana Darshanam is the most famous work and the magnum opus by Kuvempu based on the hindu epic Ramayana. ... The (Devanagari: ) is a Sanskrit epic attributed to the poet Valmiki and is an important part of the Hindu canon (smá¹›ti). ...

Life

Kuvempu was born in 1904 in Hirekodige, Koppa Taluk, Chikmagalur district of Karnataka to a Kannada speaking family. He was brought up in a place in the lush Malenadu region of Tirthahalli, called Kuppali, of Shimoga District, (central Karnataka, India). He pursued his studies in Mysore, and graduated in 1929 in Kannada. He married Hemavati on 30 April 1937. He began his academic career as a lecturer in Kannada at Maharaja's College. He went on to become a professor and a principal. Among the prestigious positions he held was the Vice Chancellorship of the University of Mysore during the period 1956-60. He was the first graduate from the University to rise to the position.^[1] Vidyasankara temple in Shringeri. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... Tirthahalli is a panchayat town in Shimoga district in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Mysore (Kannada: ಮೈಸೂರು) is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... April 30 is the 120th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (121st in leap years), with 245 days remaining. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... University of Mysore (also called Manasa Gangotri) is a reputed public university in India. ...

Kuvempu started his literary work in English first, with a collection of poetry called "Beginner's Muse", and later switched to Kannada. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

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. 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. st. ...

In the year 1987, a new university was started near Shimoga, Karnataka in the name of Kuvempu. It is located in Jnana Sahyadri campus, 28 km from Shimoga. 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ...

His son K P Purnachandra Tejaswiis a polymath, contributing significantly to Literature, Photography, Calligraphy, Digital Imaging, Social Movements, and Agriculture. Poorna Chandra Tejaswi is the son of renowned poet and novelist and former Jnanpith award winner K.V Puttappa, also known as Kuvempu. ... Leonardo da Vinci is seen as an epitome of the Renaissance man or polymath. ... Old book bindings at the Merton College library. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Calligraphy in a Latin Bible of AD 1407 on display in Malmesbury Abbey, Wiltshire, England. ... Digital imaging or digital image acquisition is the creation of digital images, typically from a physical object. ...

His message

Kuvempu was more than a writer, and the way he lived his life was in itself a great message. He was against castesim , meaningless practices and rituals . Kuvempu's writings also reflect his resentment against the caste system according to which the shudras were unfit to attain knowledge. Kuvempu (from the vokkaliga community) also gives a different perspective to the characters in the Ramayana unlike the portrayal of characters by Valmiki. Maharishi Valmiki (Sanskrit: वाल्मिकी, vālmikī) is the author of the Hindu epic Ramayana. ...

'O nanna chetana, Agu nee aniketana' (ಓ ನನ್ನ ಚೇತನ, ಆಗು ನೀ ಅನಿಕೇತನ || )

is a very popular note on Universal Humanism.

His speech during the convocation Ceremony of Bangalore University has been published in the book, 'vichaarakranthige aahwaana'. It calls for a re-assessment of developmental policies. Though it was delivered in 1974, the message is still considered relevant. Bangalore University is a public university located in Bangalore, Karnataka State, India. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

Popular work

• Sri Ramayana Darshanam (ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಾಯಣ ದರ್ಶನಂ) won him the Jnanpith Award. This work is the complete Ramayana in Kannada. It underscores his vision of 'sarvodaya' (Liberation of One & All.) The hero of his Ramayana personifies this when he tests himself along with his wife Seeta, by jumping into the fire.

• Kaanuru Subbamma Heggadati
• Malegalalli Madumagalu
• Pakshikaashi (A collection of poems)
• Nenapina Doniyalli, his autobiography which also dwells on the influence of the teachings of Swami Vivekananda on him.

Jnanpith Award (pronounced Gyanpeeth Award) is the highest literary honour presented by the Government of India. ... The (Devanagari: ) is a Sanskrit epic attributed to the poet Valmiki and is an important part of the Hindu canon (smá¹›ti). ... Swami Vivekananda, whose pre-monastic name was Narendranath Dutta (January 12, 1863 - July 4, 1902) is considered one of the most famous and influential spiritual leaders of the Vedanta philosophy. ...

Literary Criticism

• Raso Vai Saha
• Draupadiya Shrimudi
• Sahityaprachara
• Vibhuthi Pooje
• Taponandana
• Kavyavihara
• Vicharakrantige Ahvana

Biography

• Guruvinodane Devaradege
• Swami Vivekananda
• Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Collection of Poems

• Kolalu (Flute)
• Chandramanchake Baa Chakori
• Paanchajanya
• Kogile Mattu Soviet Russia
• Premakaashmira
• Agnihamsa
• Ikshugangotri
• Kabbigana kaibutti
• Pakshikaashi
• Navilu
• Jenaaguvaa
• Kutichaka
• Kadiradake
• Kathana KavanagaLu

Collection of Stories

• Nanna devaru mattu itare kathegalu
• Malenadina Kathegalu
• Sanyaasi mattu itare kathegaLu

Dramas

• Jalagaara
• Beralge koral
• Shoodra tapaswi
• Yamana solu (Yama's defeat against Sati Savitri)
• Raktaakshi
• SmashaaNa kurukshetram
• Chandrahaasa
• Balidaana
• Birugaali

Stories for children

• Bommanahalliya kindarijogi (The Pied Piper in Kannada)
• Modannana tamma
• Nanna gopaala
• Mari vijnani
• Meghapura
• Amalana kathe
• Nanna mane

Pied Piper is a novel by Nevil Shute, first published in 1942. ...

Awards

Kuvempu was awarded the Jnanpith award for his Sri Ramayana Darshanam in 1969. He was awarded the first ever Pampa Award and the Karnataka Ratna award. He is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan. He also was awarded the 'Kendra Saahithya Academy' award for his continued excellence in enriching Kannada literature. Jnanpith Award (pronounced Gyanpeeth Award) is the highest literary honour presented by the Government of India. ... The Padma Bhushan is an Indian civilian decoration established on January 2, 1954 by the President of India. ... The Padma Vibhushan is Indias second highest civilian honour. ...

Notes

2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 2 is the 245th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (246th in leap years). ...

External links

• Kuvempu Picture Album at Kamat's Potpourri
• Kuvempu Page at NIC Shimoga