M. K. Indira

M. K. Indira (Mandagadde Krishnarao Indira) (Kannada:ಮಂಡಗದ್ದೆ ಕೃಷ್ಣರಾವ್ ಇಂದಿರ) is a well known novelist in the Kannada language. She has written novels like "Phaniyamma" which has won many awards. She started writing novels only after her age of forty-five.Susie J. Tharu, Ke Lalita (1991), p138]

Early life

Indira was born in year 1917 in the town of Thirthahalli in the state of Karnataka, India. Her native village was Narasimharajapura in Chikkamagalore district. Her formal education lasted for seven years before she got married. She studied Kannada poetry and also had a good knowledge of Hindi literature. She ventured into writing novels at a late age of forty five.

Career

Indira's first published novel was "Tungabhadra" which was released in 1963. This was followed by other novels like "Sadananda" (1965), "Gejje Pooje" (1966) and "Navaratna" (1967). Her most well-known work is however "Phaniyamma" which was released in 1976. "Phaniyamma" is a novel based on the life of a child widow. It is a real life story of a widow whom Indira knew during her childhood. Indira heard the story when the widow narrated it to Indira's mother.Barbara Koenig Quart (1988) p251] This novel has been a subject matter of discussion in many books related to feminism. Phaniyamma was made into a film by the director, Prema Karanth and this film went on to win many international awards.cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/30/stories/2007103059990600.htm|work=Online Edition of The Hindu, dated 2007-10-30|title= Theatre personality Prema Karanth dead|accessdate=2007-11-27] Indira's other novels to be made into films are "Gejje Pooje" and "Poorvapara". Indira has written about forty novels.

Awards

Indira's novels, "Tungabhadra", "Sadananda", "Navaratna" and "Phaniyamma" have won her the Kannada Sahitya Akademi awards. This annual award is given to the best Kannada literature of the year. In view of her contribution to literature, an award is constituted in Indira's name and is given to the best women writers.cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/archives/feb12007/district2312592007131.asp|work=Online Edition of The Deccan Herald, dated 2007-02-12|title=Literary awards|accessdate=2007-11-27] Thejaswini Niranjana, has translated "Phaniyamma" to English, and this translation has won her the Sahitya Akademi of India award.

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