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DV Gundappa – Renowned Kannada Author and Philosopher

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  • Best known for a collection of poems entitled Mankuthimmana Kagga
  • Started a number of Kannada newspapers
  • Awarded the Padmabhushan in 1974

Best known for his collection of poems entitled, Mankuthimmana Kagga, Devanahalli Venkataramanaiah Gundappa (1887-1975) or DV Gundappa or DVG as he was also known as a renowned Kannada philosopher and author.

Along with being an author, he is also known as a biographer, journalist, chronicler, intellectual scholar, critic, and statesman.

DV Gundappa
DVG statue at Bugle Rock Gardens, Bengaluru. Image courtesy Sarvagnya

DV Gundappa Works

Over 35 literary works were published by DV Gundappa during this lifetime. This included 11 works of poetry, 7 biographies, 5 dramas and 2 works of literature for children.  Of these, the Mankuthimmana Kagga is most well-known.

This collection of 945 poems was published in 1943 and has since been translated into English, Hindi, and Sanskrit. The poems throw light on the different aspects of life and advise people to live and grow in harmony with the people around them and their surroundings.

DV Gundappa – The Journalist

DV Gundappa was a journalist between 1906 and 1921. His started a number of Kannada newspapers including the “The Karnataka” and “Bharat”.

The Karnataka started off as an English magazine but was soon converted to a Kannada publication. Through the publication division Sumathi Granthamale, he also published a dozen small books including the biography of Diwan Rangacharlu.

DV Gundappa
DVG Stamp. Image courtesy India Post, Government of India

DV Gundappa and Political Science

DV Gundappa wrote a number of essays and books on political science. His books spoke about his years of observation of state administration and his own political formulations.

The books dealt with subjects ranging from the formation of a state and the concept of freedom to the values a responsible government must uphold, the fundamental rights of people, the weakness of democracy and economic principles and policies. 

Two of his most notable political works are the Principles of Constitution and Probity in Public Life.

DV Gundappa played a crucial role in the establishment of the Gokhale Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA). The institute was established at Bengaluru in 1945.

This was to be a central place where common people, as well as intellectuals, could meet and deliberate over social issues. The institute is active even today.

Awards

The writer was honored with a number of state and national awards. The State government of Karnataka honored him for his services towards Karnataka literature in 1970. A few years later, in 1974, he was awarded the Padmabhushan.

In 1988, 13 years after his death, the postal service released a commemorative stamp in his honor. A statue of his likeness was also erected in 2003 at the Bugle Rock Park, Basavanagudi.

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