U. R. Ananthamurthy

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U.R. Ananthamurthy

Born: 21 December 1932
Melige, Tirthahalli taluk, Shimoga District, Karnataka
Occupation: Professor, Writer
Nationality: India
Genres: Fiction
Literary movement: Navya
Debut works: Samskara
Influences: Ram Manohar Lohia, Shantaveri Gopalagowda, M.K. Gandhi

Udupi Rajagopalacharya Ananthamurthy (Kannada: ಯು. ಆರ್. ಅನಂತಮೂರ್ತಿ; born december 21, 1932), is a leading contemporary writer, critic and philosopher in Kannada language. He is the sixth person among seven recipients[1] of Jnanpith Award for Kannada, the highest literary honour conferred in India.

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[edit] Early life

Ananthamurthy was born in Melige, in Tirthahalli taluk in Shimoga District to a native Kannada family. His education started in traditional sanskrit school in Doorvasapura and continued in Tirthahalli and Mysore. After receiving Master of Arts degree from University of Mysore Ananthamurthy went to England for further studies on a Commonwealth Scholarship. He earned his doctorate from University of Birmingham in 1966 for his dissertation thesis of English and literary criticism.

[edit] Career life

Ananthamurthy's career started as a professor and instructor in 1970 in English department of University of Mysore. He was the vice chancellor in Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam, Kerala in 1987. Ananthamurthy served as the president of National book trust India for the year 1992. In 1993 he was elected as the president of Sahitya Academy. Anantamurthy served as a visiting professor in many renowned Indian and foreign universities including Jawaharlal Nehru University, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, University of Iowa, Tufts University and Shivaji University.

Ananthamurthy has participated and delivered lectures in numerous seminars as writer and orator both in and outside the country. He was the member of the committee of Indian writers and visited countries like Soviet Russia, Hungary, France and West Germany in 1990. He visited Moscow in 1989 as board member for a Soviet newspaper. Ananthamurthy was the leader for the committee of writers who visited China in 1993.

Ananthamurthy is well known for his famous interviews of notable Kannada writers for Mysore radio. He has interviewed personalities like K. Shivaram Karanth, Gopalakrishna Adiga, R.K. Narayan, R. K. Laxman and General Cariappa.

[edit] Literary Works

His main works include Samskara, Bhava, Bharathi Pura, and Avasthe. He has written numerous short stories as well. Several of his novels and short fictions have been made into movies.

Most of Ananthamurthy's literary works deal with philosophical aspects of people in different situations, times and circumstances. The writings analyze aspects ranging from challenges and changes faced by Brahmin families of Karnataka to bureaucrats dealing with politics influencing their work. Ananthamurthy has deep insight into Indian and Western philosophy and life and that shows in his writings.

Most of his novels are based on the duality of politics and morality in human society and reaction of individuals in such situations. Right, wrong and change clash in his work with one another while giving the reader a kind revealation and food for further thought.

Results of influences of socio-political and economic changes on traditional Hindu societies of India and clashes due to such influences - between a father and a son, husband and wife, father and daughter and finally, the fine love that flows beneath all such clashes are portrayed brilliantly by Ananthamurthy in his works. This is evident in his stories like Sooryana Kudure (The Grasshopper), Mowni (Silent Man), Karthika' etc. It does not mean that Ananthamurthy is just clinging to portraying only such somewhat standard subjects of Indian literature of his period. His novelette "Bara" (Drought) portrays his understanding and concern about the socio-political dynamics in a drought-striken district of Karnataka and the challenges and dilemmas a bureaucrat may face in such situations.

What is good—old traditions or new outlook—politicking or duty-bound - traditional or modern - revolution or status quo ? We don't know. Ananthamurthy also does not pretend to know. However, he explores the influence of both aspects of life.

Especially touching is the central figure of the novel Sooryana Kudure - Venkata - who is shunned by his son and wife for his easy-going attitude that does not take him anywhere. Venkata is a non-achiever who could not achieve any material or monetory success in his life. However, he is a simpleton that does not take life's suffering to his heart too much. He likes to see Life as living in the love of Amma (or mother-goddess). In all sufferings of life, he has the child-like curiosity about the smallest things in life - like a grasshopper (Sooryana Kudure). The evening after his son revolts and leaves the house, he would be engrossed in a sight in his yard - a grasshopper shining in the sun's light.

[edit] Further Reading

[edit] Awards


[edit] Bibliography

[edit] Short Story Collections

  • Endendhigu Mugiyada Kathe
  • Mouni
  • Prashne
  • Clip joint
  • Ghata Shradda
  • Aakaasha mattu Bekku
  • Mooru dashakada kategalu

[edit] Novels

  • Samskara.
  • Bharathipura
  • Avasthe
  • Bhava
  • Divya

[edit] Plays

  • Avahane

[edit] Collection of Poems

  • 15 Padyagalu
  • Mithuna
  • Ajjana hegala sukkugalu

[edit] Literay Criticism and Essays

  • Prajne mathu Parisara
  • Sannivesha
  • Sanamkshama
  • Poorvapara
  • Yugapallata

[edit] Journalism

  • Editor - Rujuvathu

[edit] Ananthamurthy's works in other languages

[edit] Ananthamurthy's novels in visual media

[edit] Movies

  • Samskara
  • Gata Shradda
  • Bara
  • Avaste
  • mouni

[edit] See Also

[edit] External links

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