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Kuppali Puttappa Poornachandra Tejaswi (8 September 1938 – 5 April 2007) was a prominent Indian writer and novelist in
Kannada 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 s ...
. He also worked as a photographer, publisher, painter, naturalist, and environmentalist. He made a great impression in the ''Navya'' ("new") period of Kannada literature and inaugurated the ''Bandaaya Saahitya'' genre of protest literature with his short-story collection ''Abachoorina Post Offisu''. He is the son of noted Kannada poet Kuvempu. At early stages of his writing career, Tejaswi wrote poems but later concentrated on
short stories A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest t ...
, novels and essays. His distinctive style of writing is credited with heralding a new era in Kannada literature.


Early life

Tejaswi was born on 8 September 1938 in
Kuppali Kuppali, also known as Kuppali (ಕುಪ್ಪಳಿ), is a small village in Thirthahalli taluk of Shimoga district in the state of Karnataka in India. It is famous for being the childhood home of the renowned Kannada poet Kuvempu. Kuvempu Th ...
in
Shimoga district Shimoga district, officially known as Shivamogga district, is a district in the Karnataka state of India. A major part of Shimoga district lies in the Malnad region or the Sahyadri. Shimoga city is its administrative centre. Jog Falls view ...
of
Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...
. Although he was the son of Kuvempu, he came out of his father's shadow and established his own image at an early age. Tejaswi received best story award in the competition held by Prajavani Kannada newspaper on the occasion of Deepavali, for his first short story "Linga Banda", a look at the rainy Western Ghats from the eye of a boy. After completion of his education from
Maharaja College of Mysore Maharaja's College, Mysore (1889) is a college affiliated to Mysore University. History The college finds its origins in the English-school known as "Maharaja Patashala" established by Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wadiyar III in 1833, at t ...
, one among the top colleges in India, due to his interests in nature and farming, he moved to
Mudigere Mudigere is a Town Panchayath and Taluk in Chikkamagaluru district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is 30 km from the district headquarters. Nearest airport is at Mangalore which is at a distance of . Mudigere is known for coffee and b ...
taluk of
Chikmagalur District Chikmagalur, officially Chikkamagaluru is an administrative district in the Malnad subregion of Karnataka, India. Coffee was first cultivated in India in Chikmagalur. The hills of Chikmagalur are parts of the Western Ghauts and the source of ...
after buying a coffee estate. Apart from literature he was actively involved in painting, photography and philosophy. He was a keen learner of nature and his favourite pastime was to roam around in the forests of western ghats.


Literary works

Tejaswi has written in almost all forms of literature including poems,
short stories A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest t ...
, novels,
travel literature The genre of travel literature encompasses outdoor literature, guide books, nature writing, and travel memoirs. One early travel memoirist in Western literature was Pausanias, a Greek geographer of the 2nd century CE. In the early modern pe ...
, plays and science fiction.
Nature Nature, in the broadest sense, is the physical world or universe. "Nature" can refer to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general. The study of nature is a large, if not the only, part of science. Although humans are ...
and incidents related to nature enjoy major roles in most of his works. One of the most popular writers in Kannada, Tejaswi's works have continued to remain popular, going into multiple prints and often topping reader's charts. '' Karvalo'' is one such novel where the author participates in an adventure of discovering a flying lizard in the dense forests of Western Ghats. Tejaswi has translated a number of English books to
Kannada 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 s ...
enriching the depth of Kannada literature. His famous translations include the series on Kenneth Anderson's hunting expeditions and
Henri Charrière Henri Charrière (; 16 November 1906  – 29 July 1973) was a French writer, convicted in 1931 as a murderer by the French courts and pardoned in 1970. He wrote the novel '' Papillon'', a memoir of his incarceration in and escape from a pena ...
's '' Papillon''. Tejaswi wrote his first novel, ''Kaadu Mattu Kraurya'', when he was a 24-year-old in 1962. The novel is expected to be in print for the first time towards the end of 2012. He had initially planned to name this work ''Nalini'' but later decided to go by its present title. Tejaswi was inspired to write the novel after visiting his wife Rajeshwari's maternal home in the forested Malnad region of Karnataka. The novel, whose manuscript was prepared by Rajeshwari, is the story of Linga, a migrant bonded labourer from north Karnataka who moves to a remote Malnad village where he struggles to cope with his new life and surroundings.


Awards

*
Sahitya Academy 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 ...
Award for "Chidambara Rahasya" (1987) * Karnataka Sahitya Academy (1985) *
Pampa Award The Pampas (from the qu, pampa, meaning "plain") are fertile South American low grasslands that cover more than and include the Argentine Provinces of Argentina, provinces of Buenos Aires Province, Buenos Aires, La Pampa Province, La Pampa, ...
(2001) Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement *
Rajyotsava Award The Rajyotsava Prashasti or Rajyotsava Awards, the second highest civilian honor of the Karnataka state of India are conferred annually by the Karnataka Government on the occasion of the establishment of the state on 1 November celebrated as t ...
* Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for "Karvalo" * Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for "Chidambara Rahasya" * Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for "Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu" * Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for "Alemariya Andaman Mattu Mahanadi Nile" * Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for "Parisarada Kathe * Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for "Kaadina Kathegalu" * Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for "Vismaya" along with Pradeep Kenjige * Karnataka State Film Award for Best Story 1986-87 for "Tabarana Kathe" * Karnataka State Film Award for Best Dialogue 1986-87 for "Tabarana Kathe" * Karnataka State Film Award for Best Story 1989-90 for "Kubi mattu Iyala"


Bibliography


Novellas

* Swaroopa * Nigoodha Manushyaru


Novels

* Karvalo (1980) *
Chidambara Rahasya ''Chidambara Rahasya'' is a novel written by ''Poornachandra Tejaswi''. This novel depicts the state of a small Indian village in humorous manner. This book has murder investigation, caste system, communal riots, blind beliefs, love story, cardam ...
(1985) * Jugari Cross (1992) * Mayaloka - 1 (2006) * Kaadu Mattu Kraurya (2013)


Short stories

* Huliyoorina Sarahaddu * Abachurina Post Office (1973) * Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu (1990) * Pakakaranthi Mattu Itara Kathegalu (2008) * Parisarada kathe (1991) * Aeroplane Chitte Mattu Itara Kathegalu (1993) * Aayda Kathegalu (2007)


Travelogue

* Alemariya Andaman Mattu Mahanadi Nile


Poetry

* Somuvina Swagata Lahari (1964)


Drama

* Yamala Prashne (1965)


Criticism

* Vyaktivishishta Siddantha (1967) * Vimarsheya Vimarshe (2011) * Hosa Vicharagalu (2015)


Adventure

* Bellandoorina Narabhakshaka (Kadina Kategalu Volume 1) * Peddacheruvina Rakshasa (Kadina Kategalu Volume 2) * Jaalahalliya Kurka (Kadina Kategalu Volume 3) * Munishami Mathu Magadi Chirathe (Kadina Kategalu Volume 4) * Rudraprayagada Bhayanaka Narabhakshaka


Science

* Sahaja Krushi * Missing Link * Flying Saucers (Part 1& 2) * Vismaya (1, 2 & 3)


About birds & nature

* Minchulli Kannada Naadina Hakkigalu - 1* Hejje Moodada Haadi Kannada Naadina Hakkigalu - 2 * Hakki Pukka * Mayeya Mukhagalu (Photo Album)


Millennium (series 1-16)

* Hudukata * Jeevana Sangrama * Pacific Dweepagalu * Chandrana Chooru * Nerehoreya Geleyaru * Mahayudda - 1 * Mahayudda - 2 * Mahayudda - 3 * Desha Videsha - 1 * Desha Videsha - 2 * Desha Videsha - 3 * Desha Videsha - 4 * Vismaya Vishwa - 1 * Mahapalayana - Translation of ''The Long Walk'' by Sławomir Rawicz * Vismaya Vishwa - 2 * Adventure


Translation (Autobiography of

Henri Charrière Henri Charrière (; 16 November 1906  – 29 July 1973) was a French writer, convicted in 1931 as a murderer by the French courts and pardoned in 1970. He wrote the novel '' Papillon'', a memoir of his incarceration in and escape from a pena ...
)

* Papillon - 1 * Papillon - 2 * Baji Papiyon - 3 (Translated with Pradeep Kenjige)


Biography

* Annana Nenapu Annana Nenapu is a biography of the Tejaswi which discusses his days with his father, the national poet of India Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, revealing the actual lifestyle of the Kuvempu and his bonding with his family.


About Tejaswi

* Nanna Tejaswi by Rajeshwari Tejaswi * Poornachandra Tejaswi Baduku Baraha by Karigowda Beechanahalli * Poornachandra Tejaswi Avara Sahitya Vachike by Karigowda Beechanahalli * K. P. Poornachandra Tejaswi by Maheshwaraiah * Kaadina Santa Tejaswi by Dhananjaya Jeevala


Works in visual media

Movies * Abachurina Post Office * Tabarana Kathe'' * Kubi Mattu Iyala'' *
Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu ''Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu'' ) is a 2016 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by Sumana Kittur, based on a novel of the same name written by Poornachandra Tejaswi. It stars Shwetha Srivatsav, Sukrutha Wagle, Karunya Ram, Sonu, and Man ...
'' * Daredevil Musthafa'' TV Serial * Chidambara Rahasya Plays * Jugari Cross * Chidambara Rahasya'' * Krishnegowdana Aane'' * Yamala Prashne'' * Maayamruga'' * Parisarada Kathe'' * Karvalo'' * Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu


Trivia

* Tejaswi heralded a new wave, when he (with like-minded friends) compiled Kuvempu's ''
Sri Ramayana Darshanam Sri Ramayana Darshana (ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಾಯಣ ದರ್ಶನ) is the most popular work and the magnum opus by Kuvempu in Kannada based on the Hindu epic Ramayana. It earned him many distinctions including the Sahitya Akademi Award and t ...
'' in Kuvempu's handwriting. The
Government of Karnataka The Government of Karnataka, abbreviated as, GoK, or simply Karnataka Government, is a democratically-elected state body with the governor as the ceremonial head to govern the Southwest Indian state of Karnataka. The governor who is appointed ...
aided the effort with grants, but the cost of the book was high and ended up with mediocre success. * A controversy started in early 2004 demanding inducting
Madhwacharya Madhvacharya (; ; CE 1199-1278 or CE 1238–1317), sometimes anglicised as Madhva Acharya, and also known as Purna Prajna () and Ānanda Tīrtha, was an Indian philosopher, theologian and the chief proponent of the ''Dvaita'' (dualism) schoo ...
's name in ''
Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate, Jaya he Karnataka Maate ()(English: ''Victory to you Mother Karnataka, The Daughter of Mother India!'') is a Kannada poem, which was composed by the Indian national poet Kuvempu. The poem was officially declared ...
'', written by Kuvempu. Tejaswi, as son of Kuvempu and holder of copyrights of Kuvempu's articles, strongly criticised any attempts to change the poem. * While some intellectuals condemned the daubing incident of Belgaum Mayor Vijay More's face with black paint on 11 November 2005, Tejaswi rhetorically asked if More deserved Fair & Lovely instead. * Tejaswi had a great appetite and was known for his fondness for good food.


Death

He died of cardiac arrest at his farm house Niruttara,
Mudigere Mudigere is a Town Panchayath and Taluk in Chikkamagaluru district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is 30 km from the district headquarters. Nearest airport is at Mangalore which is at a distance of . Mudigere is known for coffee and b ...
in
Chikmagalur district Chikmagalur, officially Chikkamagaluru is an administrative district in the Malnad subregion of Karnataka, India. Coffee was first cultivated in India in Chikmagalur. The hills of Chikmagalur are parts of the Western Ghauts and the source of ...
of
Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...
state, on 5 April 2007 approximately at 2.00 p.m. He was 69 at the time. He has 2 daughters Susmitha and Eshanye who are software professionals. His wife Rajeshwari stayed in Niruttara, Mudigere.


Further reading

* Poornachandra Tejaswi's "''Annana Nenapu''"'','' although not an autobiography, extensively narrates his childhood and early life. * "''Nanna Tejaswi''" is a memoir written by Poornachandra Tejaswi's wife, Rajeshwari, that documents the years they spent together. * "''Kaadina Santa Tejaswi''" by Dhananjay Jeevala. * Tejaswi Badukiddare by Keerthi Kolgar


See also

*
Kannada 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 s ...
* Kannada literature


References


External links


TEJASWI VISMAYA – To Realize Poornachandra Tejaswi's Life – Literature – Thoughts
*
Pampa Award to Tejaswi in 2001
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tejaswi, Poornachandra 1938 births 2007 deaths Indian atheists Indian socialists Kannada-language writers Bandaya writers People from Shimoga district Kannada people Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Kannada Maharaja's College, Mysore alumni 20th-century Indian novelists Film musicians from Karnataka Indian male novelists 20th-century Indian photographers Photographers from Karnataka 20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights 20th-century Indian short story writers 20th-century Indian poets Novelists from Karnataka 20th-century Indian male writers