K. Shivaram Karanth
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| Born: | 10 October 1902 Saligrama, Kundapura taluk, Udupi district, Karnataka |
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| Died: | 9 December 1997 Manipal, Udupi district, Karnataka |
| Occupation(s): | Writer, Film director, Journalist |
| Nationality: | India |
| Genre(s): | Fiction |
| Literary movement: | Navodaya |
| Debut work(s): | Bettada Jeeva |
| Influences: | M.K. Gandhi |
- For other uses, see Karanth (disambiguation).
Kota Shivaram Karanth (October 10, 1902 - December 9, 1997) was a major Kannada writer, social activist, environmentalist, Yakshagana artist, movie maker and thinker. He was described as the "finest novelist-activist of modern India"[1] by Ramachandra Guha. He is one among seven recipients[1] of Jnanpith Award for Kannada the highest literary honour conferred in India.
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[edit] Early Life
Shivaram Karanth was born in Kota in Kundapura taluk of Udupi district of Karnataka to a native Kannada family. Being the fifth child to his parents Shesha Karantha and Lakshmamma, he completed his primary education in Kundapura and Mangalore. Shivaram Karanth was influenced by Gandhi's principles and took part in Indian Independence movement while he was in college. He left his degree half way to participate in Non-cooperation movement. He worked in khadi and swadeshi for five years, till about 1927. By that time Karanth had already started writing fiction-detective novels, to begin with — as well as plays. [2] He married to Leela Karanth when he was well past 30.
[edit] Career
Karanth was an intellectual and environmentalist who has tremendously contributed to art and culture of Karnataka. His contribution to revival of Yakshagana will forever be remembered. Yakshagana-Bayalata (1958) in Kannada, and Yakshagana(1975) are two of his masterpieces on Yakshagana.
He was the winner of Padma Bhushan and Jnanpith awards. He along with S.L. Bhyrappa are considered as the greatest Kannada novelists of this century.
His work includes 42 novels, 31 plays, Four short stories, Six books of essays and sketches, thirteen books on art, including a history of world art and an authoritative work on Chalukyan sculpture and architecture, A standard treatise on the Yakshagana, with which dramatic form, his name is identified, A three volume book of knowledge for children, A four volume encyclopedia on science for grown ups, 240 children's books Six books on travel, and the list is still incomplete.
[edit] Effect of his works
He was awarded Jnanpith for his book "mookajjiya kanasugalu" which tries to unveil the secrets of nature. Being himself a non science student he has written a series of science related books which are very effective in knowing & understanding science even today.
His main literary works are Mookajjiya Kanasugalu, Marali Mannige and Chomana Dudi. He has written an autobiography, Hucchu Manasina Hathu Mukagalu.
He attempted to change the politics of his day with standing in an election, unsuccessfully, in Kalpathuru, Karnataka on the issues of environmentalism to prevent a government thermal and dam project from destroying a village.
His book sarasammana samadhi deals with the sati system and the cunningness and hypocrisy of the Indian society. It has some supernatural elements too.
[edit] Conservation work
He rescued 2 tiger-cubs from starvation when their mother was killed by poachers. He experimentally built the first children's toy-train in Asia which was later copied in Cubbon Park, Bangalore. His son, Ullas Karanth continues his work in the field of environmentalism with an internationally acclaimed body of research into the ecology, biology and future of the tiger in India.
[edit] Foray into Politics
Shivram Karanth plunged into Politics once but was defeated in the MLA elections.
[edit] Further Reading
- Malini Mallya, Hattiradinda Kanda Hattu Mukhagalu
- Malini Mallya, Naanu Kanda Karantaru
[edit] Awards and Honors
- Jnanpith Award - 1978
- Padma Bhushan - He returned his Padma Bhushan honor in protest against the Emergency, imposed by Indira Gandhi.
- Sahitya Academy award - 1958
- Pampa Award
- Tulsi Samman
- Swedish Academy award
- An institution, "Center of Advanced Studies", was established in his name at Mangalore University in 1990.
And many more.
[edit] Bibliography
- "Mookajjiya Kanasugalu"' - dreams of a silent granny (Jnanpith award winning novel)
- "Marali Mannige" - back to the soil
- "Chomana Dudi" - drum of choma
- "Mai Managala Suliyalli" - in the whirlpool of body and soul
- "Bettada Jeeva" - life on the hills
- "Sarasammana Samadhi" - grave of sarasamma
- "Dharmayana Samsara" - family of Dharmayana
- "Alida Mele" - after death
- "Kudiyara Kusu" - infant of kudiya
- "gnana" - (thoughts)
- "mailikallinodane matukate" - talks near each milestones( small stories)
- "adbhuta jagattu" - wonder world ( science)
- "vignAna prapancha" - science world ( science)
[edit] Karanth's works in visual media
[edit] Movies
- Chomana Dudi
