Remembering H.S. Venkatesha Murthy - A Gem of Kannada Literature

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Dear friends. Today, I want to share with you the story of someone who’s left an indelible mark on my heart and on the world of Kannada literature—Dr. H.S. Venkatesha Murthy, or as we lovingly call him, HSV. On May 30, 2025, we lost this literary giant, and I’ve been reflecting on his incredible life, his soulful poetry, and the legacy he’s left behind. Let me take you through his journey, his words, and why he means so much to me and to Kannada culture.

A Humble Beginning in Hodigere

HSV was born on June 23, 1944, in the small village of Hodigere in Channagiri Taluk, Davanagere District, Karnataka. His parents, Nagarathnamma and Narayana Bhatta, raised him in a simple, middle-class family. I can almost picture young HSV, running through the fields of his village, soaking in the stories and rhythms of rural life that would later weave their way into his poetry. He studied in Hodigere, then in Holalkere and Chitradurga, before heading to Bangalore’s Central College for a Master’s in Kannada. His passion for literature didn’t stop there, he went on to earn a Doctorate for his research on Kannadadalli Kathana Kavanagalu (ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಥನ ಕವನಗಳು, Narrative Poetry in Kannada). That’s the kind of dedication that shaped him into the scholar and poet we admire.

A Poet Who Bridged Eras

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. “When the poet speaks,” he once said, “the common man feels: ‘I wanted to say this, but Bendre said it!’” That’s the magic of HSV—his words felt like they belonged to all of us.

By 2020, he had published over 100 books, including 27 poetry collections. Some of my favorites are Shankadolagina Mouna (ಶಂಖದೊಳಗಿನ ಮೌನ, Silence in the Conch), Uttarayana Mattu (ಉತ್ತರಾಯಣ ಮತ್ತು...), Kannadiya Surya (ಕನ್ನಡಿಯ ಸೂರ್ಯ), Vaidehi (ವೈದೇಹಿ), Suneetha Bhava (ಸುನಿತಾ ಭಾವ), and his delightful children’s poetry collection Baaro Baaro Maleraya (ಬಾರೋ ಬಾರೋ ಮಳೆರಾಯ). Whether he was writing poems, plays, novels, short stories, or essays, HSV poured his heart into every word. He even translated works, bringing other voices into Kannada with the same care he gave his own creations.

A Life Beyond the Page

HSV wasn’t just a poet tucked away in a study. He lived a full, vibrant life. For over 30 years, he taught as a lecturer and professor at St. Joseph’s College of Commerce in Bangalore, shaping young minds with the same passion he brought to his writing. After retiring, he settled in Bangalore, dedicating himself to literature and community. He even stepped into the world of Kannada cinema, writing songs, stories, and dialogues, and acting in the 2018 film Amruta Vahini (ಅಮೃತ ವಾಹಿನಿ). Can you imagine the thrill of seeing a poet’s words come alive on screen?

In 2020, he presided over the 85th Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Kalaburagi, where he spoke passionately about the power of the Kannada language to unite us. That’s who HSV was someone who believed in the language as a living, breathing force that binds our community together.

A Treasure Trove of Honors

HSV’s contributions didn’t go unnoticed. His shelf must have groaned under the weight of all his awards! He won the

Central Sahitya Academy Bala Puraskar Award in 2013 for his children’s literature, and the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Book Prize multiple times (1977, 1985, 1986, 1993, 1997). In 2003, he received the prestigious Kannada Rajyotsava Award, and the list goes on:

the Sridhara Award (1990),

Aryabhata Award (1993),

Mysore Ananthaswamy Award (1997),

All India Radio Awards (1995, 2000),

DVG Award (2004),

Children’s Academy Honorary Award (2010),

Kempegowda Award (2011),

Masthi Award (2012),

A.Na.Kru. Award (2015),

Sandesh Award (2016),

Qatar Puraskar (2016), and the

Ambikatanayadatta Rashtriya Prashasti (2016).

His 60th and 70th birthdays were celebrated with felicitation volumes—Gandha Vrata (ಗಂಧವ್ರತ) and Antahkarana (ಅಂತಃಕರಣ) and documentaries like Aravattu Malegala by HSV Vidyarthi Balaga and one by the Karnataka government captured his life’s work. These honors remind me how deeply he was loved and respected.

A Loss That Echoes

When I heard that HSV passed away on May 30, 2025, it felt like a piece of Kannada’s soul had slipped away. Social media posts from outlets like Vijayavani, Prajavani, and TV9 Kannada poured in, calling him a “gem of modern Kannada literature.” They’re right—his loss is profound. But even in this sadness, I find comfort in knowing his words will live on. He captured the Yugadharma (ಯುಗಧರ್ಮ, spirit of the era) and Atmadharma (ಆತ್ಮಧರ್ಮ, individual essence) of our culture, and those poems, plays, and stories will keep speaking to us.

Why HSV Matters to Me

For me, HSV’s work is a reminder of the power of words to connect us to our roots, our emotions, and each other. His poetry feels like a warm conversation with a wise friend, full of rhythm and heart. He showed me that Kannada literature isn’t just about the past—it’s alive, evolving, and capable of carrying our dreams into the future. I hope you’ll pick up one of his books, maybe Shankadolagina Mouna or Baaro Baaro Maleraya, and feel the same spark I do.