G. S. Shivarudrappa

Infobox Writer


imagesize = 150px
name = G.S. Shivarudrappa
_kn. ಜಿ.ಎಸ್. ಶಿವರುದ್ರಪ್ಪ
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birthdate = Birth date and age|1926|2|7|mf=y
birthplace = Shikaripura, Shivamogga district, Karnataka
deathdate =
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occupation = Writer, Professor
nationality = India
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genre = Fiction
subject =
movement = Navya
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website =

Dr. G.S. Shivarudrappa ( _kn. ಜಿ.ಎಸ್. ಶಿವರುದ್ರಪ್ಪ) (born February 7 1926) is a Kannada poet, writer and researcher who was awarded the title of "Rashtrakavi" by the Government of Karnataka on November 1 2006.

Early life

G.S. Shivarudrappa was born in Shikaripura, in Shivamogga district of Karnataka. His father was a school teacher. He did his primary and secondary schooling in Shikaripura.

Mr. Shivarudrappa who is a known "Navodaya" poet has made a lasting contribution to the Kannada literature.

Born on February 7, 1926, Mr. Shivarudrappa has worked as a Kannada professor at the Maharaja College of Mysore and later at the Postgraduate Kannada Department of Bangalore University. He received the Central Sahitya Akademi Award in 1984 for his literary contribution. He has also bagged several awards including the Karnataka State Sahitya Academy and Soviet Land Nehru Award. He presided over the Akhil Bharatiya Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Davanagere in 1992.

His main collections of poems are Saamagaana, Karthika, Deepada Hejje, Preeti Illada Mele, Devashilpa, Gode, Anavarana, Tereda Daari and Kaadina Kattalalli. (The Hindu, 02' Nov 2006)

Education

Shivarudrappa pursued his B.A. in 1949 and M.A. in 1953 from University of Mysore, having secured gold-medals on three occasions. He was a student and follower of Kuvempu and was heavily inspired by Kuvempu's literary works and life.

In 1965, G.S. Shivarudrappa secured a doctorate for his thesis Soundarya Sameekshe (Kannada: ಸೌಂದರ್ಯ ಸಮೀಕ್ಷೆ), written under the guidance of Kuvempu.

Personal Life

The fact that G.S.S has married twice without divorcing the first wife became an object of controversy after he was honoured with the title of "Rashtrakavi". Ironical references were made to his being a "Samanvya" (ideologically neutral, non-committal style of poetry) poet hinting at his practice of bigamy which is illegal according to the Hindu law. There were also appeals to revoke the title of "Rashtrakavi" conferred upon him.

Professional life

Dr. G.S.S, as he is popularly known, started his career in 1949 as a lecturer in Kannada language at the Mysore University. On receiving the invitation from Hyderabad's Osmania University in 1963, he joined that university as a reader and the head of the Kannada department. He continued to serve in Osmania University till 1966.

In 1966, G.S.S joined the Bangalore University as a professor. He was later elected as the director of the university and he continued to contribute in "Kannada Study Center" (Kannada: ಕನ್ನಡ ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ಕೇಂದ್ರ) at the university. It was during his administration as a director that the department of Kannada in the university was converted to "Kannada Study Center".

"Rashtrakavi"

Dr. G.S.S was honoured with the title of "Rashtrakavi" (Sanskrit: "Poet of the Nation") by the Government of Karnataka during the "Suvarna Karnataka" (Golden Jubilee celebrations of Karnataka) occasion on November 1, the Kannada Rajyotsava day, 2006 [http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/Nov22006/state205392006111.asp Prestigious Rashtra Kavi title for Shivarudrappa] ] .He was the third Kannada poet to be honoured with this prestigious title of "Rashtrakavi", after his mentor and guide Kuvempu, and Govinda Pai.

Literary works

Poem collections

* Saamagaana
* Cheluvu-Olavu
* Devashilpi
* Deepada Hejje
* Anaavarana
* Tereda Baagilu
* Gode
* Vyakthamadhya
* Teerthapaani
* Kaartika
* Kaadina Katthalalli
* Preeti illada mele
* Chakragati

Prose/research works

* Parisheelana
* Vimarsheya Poorva Pashchima
* Soundarya Sameekshe (Ph.D. thesis)
* Kaavyaartha Chintana
* Gatibimba
* anuranana
* Pratikriye
* Kannada Sahithya Sameekshe
* Mahakavya Swaroopa
* Kannada Kavigala Kaavyakalpane
* Samagra Kannada Sahitya Charitre - A history of Kannada literature and language and its growth over the centuries [ [http://www.kamat.com/library/holdings/kml2218.htm "Samagra Kannada Sahitya Charitre" Book Info from Kamat's Potpourri] ]
* Kuvempu-a Reappraisal - A biographical work on Kuvempu, done for Government of Karnataka

Travelogues

* Moscowdalli 22 dina (22 Days in Moscow) - Winner of Soviet Land Nehru Award.
* Englandinalli Chaturmaasa (Four months in England)
* Americadalli Kannadiga (Kannadiga in America)
* Gangeya Shikharagalalli (In the mounts of the river Ganga)

Awards and honours

* Soviet Land Nehru Award - 1973
* Kendra Sahithya Academy Award - 1984 (for the work, "Kaavyartha Chintana")
* Pampa Award - 1998 cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/Archives/nov92006/panorama2051322006118.asp|title= Kannada qualifies for classical status|work=Online webpage of Deccan Herald|publisher=Deccan Herald|accessdate=2007-07-13]
* Preseident of 61st All India Kannada Sahithya Sammelana, happened in Davanagere
* Karnataka Sahithya Academy Honorary Award - 1982
* Nadoja Award from Kannada University
* Honorary Doctorate from Bangalore University and Kuvempu University
* Honoured as a Rashtrakavi ("Poet of the Nation") - 2006

References