Bolwar Mahammad Kunhi (born 1951) is an Indian short story writer, novelist, playwright and scriptwriter. He writes in the

Kannada language Kannada (; ಕನ್ನಡ, ), originally romanised Canarese, is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in southwestern India, with minorities in all neighbouring states. It has around 47 million native sp ...

. He is the first Indian writer to introduce Muslim ethos and culture into creative Kannada prose. He is the only Indian writer conferred with Central Sahitya Academy twice for creative prose. He is the first ever Kannada writer conferred with Bala Sahitya Puraskar by Central Sahitya Academy. His works have been translated into other Indian languages including English. His work focuses on erasing misconceptions about Islam in India and nurturing a more positive outlook towards Islam. A post-graduate with a gold medal in Kannada literature from

Mysore University The University of Mysore is a public state university in Mysore, Karnataka, India. The university was founded during the reign of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore. The university is recognised by the University Grants Commission ...

, Bolwar is a retired chief manager for Syndicate Bank's Bangalore Corporate Office.

Works

This writer edited what is considered the finest work ever produced in Kannada for children – ''Tattu Chappale Putta Magu'', a collection of over 100 poems and ''Santammanna'', an anthology of illustrated poems. He edited 12 children's plays - ''Hanneradu MakkaLa Natakagalu''. One of his Kendra

Sahitya Akademi The Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India. Founded on 12 March 1954, it is supported by, though independent of, the Indian government. Its of ...

awards came for the story of an ordinary Mohandas who became

Mahatma Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (; ; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist Quote: "... marks Gandhi as a hybrid cosmopolitan figure who transformed ... anti- ...

in his story "Paapu Gandh Bapu Gandhi Aada Kathe". Other than Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar, Bolwar is the only author to have written about Gandhi for children. The Mahatma had kept the child Monu alive in himself until he died a martyr. The book spoke of Mehtab, Gandhi's Muslim friend who was a source of courage to him. It was translated and published in English with the title ''Gandhi – From Monu To Mahatma'' (published by Peak Publishing House, London). During the book launch

U.R. Ananthamurthy Udupi Rajagopalacharya Ananthamurthy (21 December 1932 – 22 August 2014) was an Indian contemporary writer and critic in the Kannada language. He was born in Thirtahalli Taluk and is considered one of the pioneers of the Navya movement. In 199 ...

said in praise of Bolwar's book "This is one of the best books on Mahatma Gandhi for children and adults". Ananthamurthy, blurbed, "Bolwar's collection of songs and poems are among the best in contemporary Kannada literature". The book was also developed as a play for children. His extended short story, "Ondu Thundu Gode," or "A Bit of Wall" treats the explosive

Ayodhya Ayodhya (; ) is a city situated on the banks of holy river Saryu in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya, also known as Sāketa, Saketa, is an ancient city of India, the birthplace of Rama and ...

theme in a humorous, personal vein. He recounts the story of an old woman, Roti-Phatumma, who wanted to build her own house by acquiring what she believed to be a bit of the wall from the broken pieces of the Babri Masjid. Tongue-in-cheek Bolwar balances serious, comic and poignant aspects. His epic 1,110-page opus ''Swathranthada Ota'' (in English: The run for independence) was released on 18 March 2012 at

Ravindra Kalakshetra Ravindra Kalakshetra is a cultural centre in Bangalore which provides a home for musical and theatrical performances. Located in heart of Bangalore city, it was built to commemorate the birth centenary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Many ...

by Pandit Rajiv Taranath. His book ''Odiri'' is the first historical Kannada novel on

Prophet Muhammad Muhammad ( ar, مُحَمَّد; 570 – 8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious, social, and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Islamic doctrine, he was a prophet divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monoth ...

. He worked as Senate Member in Hampi Kannada University, Kannada Sahitya Academy, Kannada Pustaka Pradhikara. He worked as State president for 'Samudaya' Cultural Organisation, as Convener to Bandaya Sahitya Sangha. He served as editor of ''Giant'' (Syndicate Bank's house magazine), ''Krishiloka'' (Syndicate Bank's magazine), as member of RDC (Syndicate Bank's Rural Development Institute), Self Employment Training Institute (RUDSETI- Dharmastala). He was the President of Kannada Belesi Balaga and Chitra Samudaya (Film Division).

Recognition

* Central Sahitya Academy(Twice) * Karnataka Sahitya Academy(Thrice) * Karnataka Rajyotsava Award * KATHA award-Delhi * Bharatiya Bhasha Sasthan Award * Shivarama Karantha Balavana Award * Basavaraja Kattimani Award * MWF Award- Abudhabi. * Masthi Award * Parashurama Award * Thoulava Award * Karavali Kalasa Award * Synd Rathana Award * Vishukumar Award * ChaDaga Award * Muslim Sahitya Award * National and State Awards for contribution to Kannada Films.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kunhi, Bolwar Mahammad 1951 births Living people People from Dakshina Kannada district Indian male short story writers Indian male novelists Indian male dramatists and playwrights Indian male screenwriters 20th-century Indian short story writers Novelists from Karnataka 20th-century Indian novelists 20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights Screenwriters from Karnataka 20th-century Indian male writers Recipients of the Rajyotsava Award 2012 Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Kannada