Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth

Ms. Malini Mallya , Secretary
Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanta Memorial Foundation (R)

Ms. B. Malini Mallya started her career in 1974 as Copyist cum Stenographer of late Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth (1902-1997) the great Writer Scholar of Kannada. Within a year, she got full time employment in Life Insurance Corporation of India. Yet, continued her help and co-operation to Dr. Karanth in his literary work and soon earned his confidence and admiration. “There were many youngsters who came to work as my Office Assistants throughout my writing career. But, it was Malini alone who took interest in my activities and imbibed some of my intellectual interests……,”wrote Dr. Karanth in his famous memories “Hucchu Manassina Hattu Mukhagalu“ (Ten Faces of Crazy Mind). He further wrote that he was the luckiest writer to have such an able Assistant.

Ms. Malini Mallya’s first Article viz., “Hattiradinda Kanda Hattu Mukhagalu” (Close View of Ten Faces) published in the year 1986 on Dr. Karanth’s personality brought her sensational admiration both from Scholars and lay-readers. Inspired by this widespread applause, she wrote a descriptive Biography of Dr. Shivaram Karanth titled “Naanu Kanda Karantaru” (Karanth as I viewed) which again made news. Famous Writers, Scholars and Reviewers of Kannada had all eyes on her impressive style of writing, beauty of language and impartial judgement about Dr. Karanth’s personality. Dr. Karanth himself felt thrilled to see his own “faces” in the eyes of his office Assistant: Dr. Ha. Ma. Nayak, the expert Kannada Literary Reviewer reading this book wrote:”…….We may expect a future writer………”Such unexpected reactions inspired her to bring out literary works such as Novels, Short Stories, Satires, Stray Articles etc., which again received fair reviews from Scholars as well. Famous Kannada Reviewer like Dr. C. N. Ramachandran wrote: “…..I read both of your Novels. I was very happy. while reading your works, one cannot imagine that you are a beginner. Because, you have got very good hold on language and the subject. Thus, an ordinary office copyist turned into an able writer in Kannada.

Ms. Mallya is a well-known Scholar-Writer of Dr.Shivaram Karanth and his writings. To this date,other than Ms.Mallya,none in Kannada has written so much Articles and Books on Dr.Karanth. In the year 1992,she brought out a comprehensive, sumptuous volume viz., “Shivaram Karantha Vagmaya Vrittanta”,a Bibliography of Dr. Karanth enriched with many line drawings of famous Artist Mr. K.K. Hebbar which book again made news as it was the first of its kind in the history of Bibliography in Kannada and probably elsewhere. This scholarly and research work brought her an Award in the year 1993 from a famous women’s Organisation of Bangalore i.e., Shaswati Womens’ Study Centre. within 3 years, Ms. Mallya collected from elsewhere nearly 1000 stray Articles of Dr. Karanth and compiled them into 8 volumes (subject wise) which were published by Mangalore University. Dr. Karanth himself was stunned to see the ’sea’ of his writings spread over the period of about 7 decades which made him to exclaim in his public speeches like “……I never imagined that I had written so much: It is Malini who showed me the fact”(:)Many Kannada literary scholars also felt like that. Then again, she compiled a Bibliography of Dr.Karanth’s works in a different format from that of the earlier one.

“Shivarama Karanthara Kinnara Loka“ is an exhaustive research work first ever published on the theatrical activities and experiments of Dr. Karanth beginning from the year 1921 till his demise in 1997, “Chinnara Lokadalli Karantharu“ ( 2 volumes ) is a collection of Dr. Karanth’s Conversations with children done over the period of 9 years that were published in “Taranga” a Kannada magazine which volumes an unusually interesting and thought-provoking works in the history of Kannada literature. “Karantha Uvacha“ is a collection of excerpts of Dr. Karanth’s quotable sentences appeared in more than 50 books authored by him. Subject wise classification, para wise descriptions (samples) and even the excerpts of short and sweet sentences are the distinctive features of this book which made the scholars like Dr. Srinivas Havanur to write thus: “……You may think of bringing out more such books in the years to come….”

“Patra Vyavahara Mattu Naanu“ (Author: Dr. K. Shivaram Karanth) is a big volume consisting of more than 1500 letters of correspondence published by Mangalore University, the work of which was also due to the unstinted support and assistance of Ms. Mallya to Dr. Karanth at his 96th year of age.

Thus, Ms. Malini Mallya has become an Authority on Dr. Karanth with deep study, hard research work and dedicated service to the cause of literature who still continues her missionary like work of publishing books on Dr. Karanth. Two more works of her will be published soon.

Besides, Ms. Mallya has founded a Memorial Trust in the name of Dr. Shivaram Karanth in his birth place. For the benefit of the posterity, she wishes to do some constructive work in honour of Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth. Ms. Malini Mallya being the Secretary of Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanta Memorial Foundation (R) Saligrama,Udupi Dist, Karnataka works hard to realise her dreams. which work of hers is also gaining popularity all over Karnataka.

Ms. B. Malini Mallya
P.O. Saligrama - 576 225
Udupi, Karnataka, India

 

Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth Memorial Foundation (R)

“MANASA”, SALIGRAMA - 576225, KARNATAKA, INDIA.

Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth

The contributions of Late Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth (1902-1997) the great writer of this century, scholar, educationist, encyclopaedist, lexicographer, theater expert and environmentalist etc, etc were inconceivable today when we think of the days of the pre-independent India during which time he single handedly worked as a writer, social reformer and ventured in so many fields of public importance. He began his career as a freedom fighter of India inspired by Mahatma Gandhiji. Gradually ,he worked for the spread of the knowledge and social awareness amongst the people through his life. He never failed in his ideals till the end of his life which was his greatest potentiality as a writer . His concern for social justice was well-known all over India due to his legal battles over environmental issues. Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth Memorial Foundation is a public trust founded in the birth place of late Shivaram Karanth with the objectives of marinating, preserving and propagating the intellectual and unusual theatrical activities of late Dr.Karanth for the posterity and the art lovers elsewhere. Just like “The Shakespeare Birth Place Trust” at Startford -on- Avon , United Kingdom, Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth Memorial Foundation desires to commemorate the works of late Dr. Karanth by establishing various institutions viz., Dr. Shivaram Karanth Museum, Shivaram Karanth Memorial House ,Shivaram Karanth Children’s ‘Theatre, Shivaram Karanth Fine Arts ‘ centre, Shivaram Karanth Science centre etc. The proposed Shivaram Karanth Mobile Science unit aims at giving audio-visual scientific knowledge to the school children and the uneducated/moderately educated rural folk. Besides this, the Memorial foundation intends to carry out community health service in the rural areas. All these proposed projects are in tune with the activities of late Dr. Shivaram Karanth during his life time. To realise the above dreams, the foundation needs huge amount of finance to the extent of about Rs.10crores, the accumulation of which is possible only with the liberal contributions of the like-minded philanthropists, art lovers, literary admirers, social reformers etc. Your donations are eligible for Income tax relief of 50% under 80G clause of Income Tax act of India (for Indian Residents only). Please draw your cheque/demand draft/foreign currency in the name of the foundation as above and mail the same to the following address.

IGNCA Remembers Dr. Shivarama Karanth

The IGNCA regional center at Bangalore is organizing a day long National Seminar on the contribution of Dr. K.S. Karanth to the art form of Yakshagana on 28th July 2002 at Bangalore.

Yakshagana has a traceable history of at least six hundred years.  In Karnataka, the wonderful art is seen in several forms, adopted by different schools.  The two (now three) coastal districts of Karnataka have preserved this art to a great extent. Yakshagana  shares some strikingly similar features with the other South Indian ancient theatrical and dance forms such as Terukkootu, Kudiyattam, Kathakali Kuchipudi, Bhagavata Melam, Dodata, Sannata, Srikrishna Parijata etc.

Dr. Kota Shivarama Karanth was the first person to take interest in the theoretical and practical aspects of Yakshagana . He reformed the costumes, scripts, music and other ingredients that make Yakshagana  a mesmerising theatre, to suit the contemporary taste and style.  At a time when traditional art forms were fast losing audience, he made Yakshagana  an attractive art form, interesting to the present day generation. Dr. Karanth is one of the most arresting personalities in the literary and theatre world of India.  His interests have been vast and varied.  He was a great novelist, innovative playwright, unique essayist, one man-mission-encyclopaedist, cultural anthropologist, art historian, lexicographer, promoter, of science and environmentalist.

Besides honorary doctorates from several Indian universities and fellowships from two national academics - the Sahitya Akademi and the Sangeeth Natak Akademi, he has received the prestigious Janapith award in 1978, Dadabhai Navroji award and Tulsi Samman in 1990.  He has written 150 books in Kannada and English.  His works have been translated into several Indian languages and filmed as well.  Among all his achievement, his contribution to Yakshagana  the Indian theatre form is singular.

Shivaram Karanth
Kannada Writer, Novelist, Artist, Educator, Art Critic, Dancer, Philosopher, Environmentalist.

“I’ve always been confused about you two. Now that both of you are here together, my confusion is doubled!” Dr. Karanth joked as I paid him a visit in Puttur along with Dr. Suryanath Kamath.  I gave him a photograph of his, which I had taken 40 years ago, as a boy, during the Kumta Sahitya Sammelan. I even pointed to his hands in the photograph which were hiding a box of tobacco and his comments at that time. He burst out into a Yakshagana style laughter!

Dr. Karanth inspired several generations of youngsters to love and preserve our art, heritage and environment. His works on children’s education done seventy years ago are still unequalled in Kannada language. In his death, Karnataka has lost one of its foremost sons.

 Dr. Kota Shivram Karanth (1902-1997)

When one thinks of famous Kannada literary personalities, lots of names come to our minds. One of them, undoubtedly is Dr. Shivram Karanth. Dr. Karanth is not only well known in Kannada literary circles but also is well known nationally. He hails from Kota, a small village in the South Canara. Apart from his literary prowess, Dr. Karanth is also an authority in Yakshagana. He has studied the art form - Yakshagana extensively and has published books on them. Yakshagana-Bayalata (195 in Kannada, and Yakshagana(1975) are two of his masterpieces on Yakshagana. Dr. Karanth has received international acclaim for his study on this rare folk art. Yakshagana is a folk art from Dakshina Kannada.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,
In addition compilation of his random articles and speeches numbering a couple of thousand are being published. So far eight of these anthologies have been published. (Courtesy: Discover India)

Such is extent of Dr. Karanth’s contribution to Indian literature. Dr. Karanth is very well known for writing on a variety of topics such as social castism, social conflicts, and social rigidity. His novels are powerful in nature and represent revolt and rebillion. Dr. Karanth’s novels are well known for their uniqueness and genuiness. His most acclaimed work, which is well known, is Chommana dudi, which Dr. Karanth took only 5 days to write.

Dr. Karanth did not go to any special school to learn the techniques of writing. It came very naturally to him. He did not have any set formula for any of his book nor did he even write on the same topic. He wrote on several issues plaguing today’s society. Dr. Karanth can be best described as a revolutionary writer. He addressed many issues in his book, which were rampant in Dakshina Kannada. He wrote about the common man, who struggled, for his rights. He wrote about the woman who wanted to be treated equally like a man. He wrote about you and me and the society that we live in. Choma, Mookajji, and Nagaveni are some of characters in Dr. Karanth’s books who are still linger in our minds long after we read the book.

Dr. Karanth has received many accolades for his literary contributions. He has been bestowed with the highest honor any Indian can achieve - Padmabushan. He has also received awards and fellowships from the Sahitya Akademi, as well as the Sangeet Natak Akademi. He has also won the Jnanapeet award and also the Tulsi Samman. Dr. Karanth has also received honorary doctorates from many universities in India. Inspite of all this, Dr. Karanth chose to live a modest and a simple life in Kota, a small village in South Canara.

Karnataka has given birth to many glorious personalities who we are proud of. Dr. Kota Shivram Karanth is definitely one of them. People like Dr. Karanth has given Karnataka an identity and has also placed it on the map. Kota Shivram Karanth has become a household name in South Canara and also all over in India. His books have been made into movies, which reaches out to different people from different states all over the country.

A fitting tribute to a giant

 

Soon, visitors to Udupi will have to include the Shivarama Karanth Smaraka Kalagrama in their itinerary, reports GANESH PRABHU

 

 

An artist’s impression of the Dr. Kota Shivarama Karanth Smaraka Kalagrama complex THE TEMPLE town of Udupi, famous for the Krishna Temple and the fine beach at Malpe, will have a new landmark in the form of the Dr. Kota Shivarama Karanth Smaraka Kalagrama, for which Rani Satish, Minister of State for Kannada and Culture, laid the foundation stone late last month.

The Kalagrama is a befitting institution in memory of one of the greatest Kannadigas, K. Shivarama Karanth (1902-1997), who was born in Kota in Udupi district. This multi-faceted genius left his imprint on practically every cultural arena. A literary giant, his invaluable contribution to Kannada literature earned him that literary Holy Grail, the Jnanpith, in 1978. His literary output includes over 40 novels, four anthologies of short stories, two volumes of poems, over 90 plays, nine encyclopaedias, and hundreds of articles on various issues and subjects. Besides being hailed for his progressive views on education, he introduced several innovations in the field of Yakshagana. Apart from all this he was a painter, an environmentalist, and an anti-nuclear activist. Karanth was known for his anti-nuclear views. In fact, he contested in the Lok Sabha elections from Kanara parliamentary constituency because he fiercely opposed the Kaiga Nuclear Power Project.

A memorial to this magnificent man was long pending, especially in his native Udupi district. The Rs. 4-crore project, conceptualised by S.R. Umashankar, Deputy Commissioner, will be taken up in four phases and will be located on 60 acres of land on the Manipal-Alevoor Road. It was for this purpose that the Government constituted the Dr. Shivaram Karanth Smaraka Samsthapana Mandali with Ms. Satish as its President. The Mandali had sanctioned Rs. 50 lakh for the Kalagrama, of which Rs. 24 lakhs has been released. The remaining amount is expected soon.

The Kalagrama will take four or five years to be completed. It will come up at the location earlier earmarked for the Jinke Vana, a picturesque locale in Udupi. The Kalagrama will comprise three enclaves: the first consisting of a training centre in the arts and a museum of Karanth’s literary works and artefacts native to Udupi district. Karanth’s personal belongings are likely to be displayed too.

The training centre will impart instruction in Yakshagana, drama, dance, and folk arts. It will have a a ranga mandira, and the Rs. 10 lakh allotted for the District Ranga Mandira will be used for this purpose.

The Hampi Kannada University proposes to set up a Karanth Samshodhana Kendra to facilitate in-depth research of the great man’s works. Also in the pipeline are a permanent and temporary art galleries.

 

The second enclave will skirt the rivulet flowing through the hilly terrain of the Jinke Vana. There is a plan to form a pond by constructing a small dam across the rivulet. Acknowledging the special place Karanth had for children, a children’s park and a children’s science centre will come up here. Information on various branches of science will be disseminated through multimedia presentation. There will be facilities for young people to do basic experiments at the science centre.

Also on the cards are a bayalu ranga mandira and a camping ground, besides residential quarters for scholars and dormitories for NCC and NSS cadets would be constructed.

The third enclave will have a nature information centre that will have data on the flora and fauna of the region. Fittingly, Kalagrama will have a trekking path too. There is a proposal to construct a meditation centre atop the hill here and organisations such as the ISKCON and others would be asked to take meditation courses in turns. This enclave will promote geo-art.

Harmony is the keyword and all the three enclaves will complement one another. The idea is to develop Kalagrama as both a cultural and tourist centre.

With co-operation from local experts, the authorities cut the costs of consultancy charges for the project by about Rs. 10 lakh -12 lakh. They will seek public donations while the Central Government will be approached for Rs. 1.5 crore for the Karanth Memorial Museum. A sum of Rs. 5 lakh saved by the Udupi Utsav Committee will go into the project.

Apart from the Kalagrama, the Mandali proposes to build a memorial on the land housing Karanth’s samadhi in Kota.

Works on Shivaram Karanth to be released

Staff Correspondent

22 volumes have already been brought out

 

 

Kota Shivaram Karanth

 

 

Udupi: Medical Education Minister V.S. Acharya will release four volumes on the dramas of Jnanpith Award winner late Kota Shivaram Karanth here on July 15.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, principal of MGM College M.L. Samaga said that the function is being jointly organised by the Department of Kannada and Culture, and the college. Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth has 417 works and over 900 essays to his credit. He has written poems, novels, dramas, short stories and travelogues. The Government has already brought out 22 volumes.

MLA K. Raghupati Bhat will preside over the function. Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University at Hampi, B.A. Viveka Rai; secretary to the Department of Kannada and Cultre I.M. Vittalmurthy; and Registrar of the Academy of General Education K.K. Pai will be chief guests.

The function would be followed by rendition of “Nada geethe” and “Ranga geethe” by the senior artiste Subhadramma Mansur, Prof. Samaga said. Director of Govinda Pai Research Centre Heranje Krishna Bhat and Assistant Director of the Department of Kannada and Culture R.S. Dalwai, were present.

Welcome to Kannadavedike.net. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!