G.S. Shivarudrappa (Guggari Shanthaveerappa Shivarudrappa) was a renowned Kannada poet, writer and a researcher. He is revered for his contribution to modern Kannada literature, and for his body of research on ancient Kannada literature. He has been conferred the title of Rashtrakavi by the Karnataka Government in the year 2006.
G.S. Shivarudurappa – The Rashtrakavi
G.S. Shivarudurappa, was the son of a schoolteacher and was born on the 7th of February 1926 in Shikaripura, in the Shivamogga (Shimoga) district of Karnataka. He went on to do his B.A and MA from the University of Mysore where he achieved high laurels. He was greatly inspired by his teacher the famous Kannada poet Kuvempu.
Shivarudrappa secured a doctorate for his thesis’ Soundarya Sameekshe ‘in 196 which was a detailed study of the aesthetic facets of both traditional as well as modern Kannada literature. Shivarudrappa began his professional career at the Mysore University as a lecturer in Kannada.
He later went on to be a reader at Hyderabad’s prestigious Osmania University and he became the head of the Kannada department. In the late 1960’s he became a faculty of the Bangalore University, and later the Director of the center of Kannada studies. He was also the President of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy during 1987-90.
Shivarudrappa’s demise on the 23rd of December 2013 was a great shock for the people of Karnataka. The Chief Minster cited the great poet’s death as an “irreparable loss ‘to the world of Kannada literature. The Government of Karnataka declared two days of mourning in his honor. He was cremated with full state honor.
Works of Shivarudrappa
Shivarudurappa with his in-depth knowledge of Indian as well as Western literature examined the works in the context of culture and studied their relevance in the modern society. His work includes 13 collections of poems, prose and research works and four travelogues.
His articles on ancient Kannada poets are filled with critical insights and new methods of presentation, of which his works on Harihara, Raghavanka, Ratnakaravarni and Pampa are particularly significant. Shivarudrappa’s ‘Kannada Kavigala Kavyakalpane’, ‘Mahakavya Svaroopa’, and ‘Kannada Sahitya Sameekshe’ are considered to be keen insights into the ancient Kannada literature.
Shivarudurappa brought the history of Kanda literature accessible to the common man with his “‘Samanyanige Sahitya Charitre’. A novel based on the life of Siddarama, 12th-century Veerashaiva saint titled, ‘Karmayogi’ is one of his most famous works. His poems include;’ Saamagaana’ Cheluvu-Olavu, Devashilpi, and Anaavarana which are considered to be gems of modern Kanda poetry. His travelogues depict his journey to England, America and Moscow.
Awards and Accolades
G.S. Shivarudrappa has been the recipient of many awards for his literally contribution. He was awarded the Soviet Land Nehru Award in 1973, for his travelogue Moscowdalli 22 Dina (22 Days in Moscow). He has also received the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award in 1984 for his work’ Kaavyartha Chintana. He was designated as the President of the 61st All India Kannada Sahithya Sammelana. He was honored as Rashtrakavi by the Government of Karnataka in the year 2006 making him the 3rd recipient of the award. He was also awarded with the Sahithya Kala Kaustubha in 2010.
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