Bangalore: Rashtrakavi Poet Dr G S Shivarudrappa (87) Passes away

Bangalore, Dec 23 2013: The only surviving 'Rashtrakavi' of Kannada literature and eminent poet, writer and researcher , Dr G S Shivarudrappa, passed away at his residence in Banashankari in the city on Monday, Dec 23. He was suffering from geriatric complaints. He was 87.

He was born in Shikaripura in Shimoga district in 1926 and had his primary and secondary education in the same town. After graduation and post-graduation from the University of Mysore.  The late poet Kuvempu (K V Puttappa) had great influence over his personality and literary activity. He secured PhD for his treatise 'Soundarya Sameekshe' under the guidance of KuVemPu in 1965.

Between 1949 and 1965, he served a lecturer in Kannada at the University of Mysore and as reader at the Osmania University in Hyderabad. In 1966, he joined the Bangalore University as a professor. He had also served as a lecturer in different cities like Davanagere and Shimoga.
In 1986, he retired as director of centre for Kannada studies of the Bangalore University. In 2006, the government of Karnataka honoured him with the status of national poet - 'Rashtrakavi'. The earlier ones to receive this honour were Manjeshwar Govinda Pai and GSS's mentor, KuVemPu himself.

The published collections of his poems include Saamagaana, Cheluvu-Olavu, Devashilpi, Deepada Hejje, Anaavarana, Tereda Baagilu, Gode, Vyaktamadhya, Teerthavaani, Kaartika, Kaadina Kattalalli, Preeti illada mele and Chakragati.
His prose and research works include Parisheelana, Vimarsheya Poorva Pashchima, Soundarya Sameekshe, 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, and Kuvempu - A Reappraisal - a biographical work on Kuvempu, done for Government of Karnataka. 

Among his travelogues are Moscowdalli 22 dina (22 Days in Moscow) - Winner of Soviet Land Nehru Award, Englandinalli Chaturmaasa (Four months in England), Americadalli Kannadiga (Kannadiga in America) and Gangeya Shikharagalalli (On the peaks leading river Ganges)
Many awards and honours have come his way. They include Soviet Land Nehru Award - 1973, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award - 1984 (for the work Kaavyartha Chintana), Pampa Award - 1998, being president of 61st All India Kannada Sahithya Sammelana in Davanagere, Karnataka Sahitya Academy Honorary Award - 1982, Nadoja Award from Kannada University, honorary Doctorate from Bangalore University and Kuvempu University and Sahitya Kala Kaustubha-2010, besides the aforementioned Rashtrakavi honour in 2006.

[IMAGE via Bangaloremirror]
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