Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa, universally known by his pen name Kuvempu, was born on December 29, 1904, in the lush greenery of the Malnad region. His childhood in the Sahyadri mountains deeply influenced his writing, infusing his poetry with a “Rhythm” that echoed the sounds of the forest.
The Literary Giant
Kuvempu was the first Kannada writer to be honored with the Jnanpith Award for his magnum opus, Sri Ramayana Darshanam. He didn’t just retell the story of Lord Rama; he gave it a fresh, modern perspective that resonated with contemporary “Reason” and logic.
- Vishwa Manava (The Universal Man): His greatest contribution to society was the concept of the Vishwa Manava. He urged people to break free from the shackles of caste, creed, and religion to become “Universal Humans.”
- State Anthem: He penned Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate, which today serves as the official state anthem of Karnataka.
The “Rhythm & Reason” of His Philosophy
Kuvempu’s life was a perfect balance:
- Rhythm: Found in his soulful poetry and his deep connection to nature.
- Reason: Seen in his fierce opposition to superstition and his push for scientific temper and education in the mother tongue.
”O nanna chetana, Agu nee aniketana” (O my spirit, transcend all boundaries and become universal.)
LegacyKuvempu passed away in 1994, but he remains the Rashtrakavi (National Poet) of Karnataka. For a website like ours that seeks to explore knowledge and human potential, his life serves as the ultimate blueprint.
Plays(ನಾಟಕ) :-
Jalagaara/ಜಲಗಾರ (1928)
Birugaali/ಬಿರುಗಾಳಿ (1930)
Maharaatri/ಮಹಾರಾತ್ರಿ (1931)
Smashana Kurukshethra/ಸ್ಮಶಾನ ಕುರುಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ (1931)
Raktaakshi/ರಕ್ತಾಕ್ಷಿ (1932)
Shoodra Tapaswi/ಶೂದ್ರ ತಪಸ್ವಿ (1944)
Beralge koral/ಬೆರಳ್ಗೆ ಕೊರಳ್
Yamana solu/ಯಮನ ಸೇೂಲು
Chandrahasa/ಚಂದ್ರಹಾಸ
Balidaana/ಬಲಿದಾನ
Kaaneena/ಕಾನೀನ (1974)
Autobiography
Nenapina Doniyali/ನೆನಪಿನ ದೇೂಣಿಯಲಿ (1980)
Born : Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa 29 December 1904 Hirekodige, Koppa, Chikmagalur, Karnataka.
Died : 11 November 1994 (aged 89) Mysore, Karnataka, India
Occupation : Poet, novelist, playwright, academic
Language : Kannada
Genre : Fiction, drama
Literary movement : Navodaya
Notable awards : Karnataka Ratna (1992)
Padma Vibhushan (1988)
Jnanapith Award (1967)
Padma Bhushan (1958)
Sahitya Akademi Award (1955)
Spouse : Hemavathi (1937–1994)
Children : Poornachandra Tejaswi
Career
Kuvempu began his academic career as a lecturer of Kannada language at the Maharaja’s College in Mysore in 1929.
He worked as an assistant professor in the Central college, Bengaluru from 1936.
He re-joined Maharaja’s college in Mysore in 1946 as a professor.
He went on to become the principal of the Maharaja’s college in 1955.
In 1956 he was selected as the Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University where he served till retirement in 1960.
