Karnataka & Kannada

The reduced footprints unleashed a burst of life. Squirrels roamed freely, butterflies flitted, and fish leaped. Birds—ducks, cormorants—danced for their prey, their excitement palpable. Stray dogs, or “adopted” ones, rested on concrete steps, secure in the quiet. Life was coming alive.

What makes HSV so special to me is how he connected different worlds in Kannada literature. He was a bridge between the pre-Navya (pre-modern) and post-Navya (modern) movements, blending the classical grace of poets like Pampa and Kumaravyasa with the fresh energy of modern Kannada poetry. His work in the Bhavageete genre—those lyrical, soul-stirring poems set to music—touched hearts across generations. He saw poetry as something natural, like a tree bursting into bloom. “Whe

So, why impose Hindi? Unity? Please. India’s strength is its diversity, not some forced sameness. Kannada’s not a hurdle it’s a gift.

I stood guard with a .303 rifle slung over my shoulder, boots polished, posture rigid, watching over officers’ quarters, the stadium, even a burial ground.