Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar

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Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar Kannada:ಗೊರೂರು ರಾಮಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಐಯಂಗಾರ್ (1904 - 1991), affectionately known as Gorur was an eminent Kannada writer; well known for his humor and satire. He was one of the two iconic Iyengar writers of Kannada literature along with the great Masti Venkatesh Iyengar.

Gorur's most well known book is the humorous travelogue "Amerikadalli Goruru", 1979; which is based on the experience of the traditional Iyengar in the techno-cultural world of the United States. The book had several memorable chapters like "Empire State Bhavana" (Empire State Building) and "Niagarada Manjukanye" (Maid of the Mist). Gorur also wrote several folk and fiction works like "Rasaphala", "Namma Oorina Rasikaru", "Puttamallige", "Bhoothayyana Maga Ayyu", "Hemavathi", "Garudagambada Dasaiah".

Gorur was born in the little hamlet of "Gorur" in Hassan district of Karnataka in Southern India in a family of Hebbar Iyengars . As a student he was influenced by the Indian Independence Movement and became a staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi. He was jailed by the British administration in 1942 for his participation in the Quit India Movement.

Post Independence of India (1947), Gorur accepted employment in the Khadi Board Industries and later on began his glittering career as a pre-eminent Kannada writer. "Amerikadalli Goruru" won the acclaimed Sahitya Akademi award in 1979. "Bhoothayyana Maga Ayyu" was made into a blockbuster Kannada movie of the same name by noted director Siddhalingaiah, starring Vishnuvardhan, Lokesh and Shardha in 1975.

Gorur had four sons and a daughter and he outlived all but one of his sons and daughter who have settled down in Canada. Towards the end of his life, he lived in Bangalore along with his daughter. Gorur died peacefully in 1991, leaving behind legions of affectionate fans of Kannada literature.