Paying Homage to UR Ananta Murthy
Recently I had been teaching Sons and Lovers, the most admirable novel by D.H. Lawrence and I cannot but draw parallel between some of the insights of Lawrence and UR Anantamurthy. One of the greatest cultural thinkers and creative writers of our times, , Karnataka has lost its most influential intellectual giant. Though I am not a student of Kannada literature, my limited reading of his texts, viz, Samskaara,,Avasthe ,Suragi, Preeti mrutyu bhaya and Maatu sota bhaarata have only increased my awe, adoration and sheer admiration for his intellectual strength and keen insight into the heart of things. Manasa Gangotri, where I studied still breathes the fragrant memories of U R A and I believe he still lives in the hearts and minds of numerous academicians, students and media personalities. In fact, the whole intellectual arena of Indian languages, most importantly Kannada and English academia are deeply indebted to U R Ananta Murthy.
Though some of his views regarding religion, sex even are controversial, one cannot deny the sheer truth behind those statements. I believe most of his view points and ideologies have been politicized, a great injustice to a man of such intellectual caliber.
One cannot but feel ashamed and annoyed at the blatant show of intolerance, stupidity and ignorance of the very concept of religion by the so called protectors of Hinduism. Anantamurthy still lives among us as he has directly influenced a whole generation of writers, thinkers as well as a brand of hardcore literature professors(both English and Kannada), who in turn have been influencing their students(of course by analyzing and reflecting on his opinions).
May his soul rest in Peace. ..
– Jayashree B, Kadri
ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತಿಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲೇ ಬಾಶ್ಪಾಂಜಲಿ ಸಮರ್ಪಿಸಿದರೆ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿರುತಿತ್ತು!
Very true…nicely written homage.
ಖಂಡಿತವಾಗಿಯೂ ಸರಿ ಗಣೇಶ್. ಕನ್ನಡ ಲಿಪಿ ಟೈಪ್ ಮಾಡಲು ಅಷ್ಟಾಗಿ ಹಿಡಿತ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಕಾರಣ ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಬರೆಯಬೇಕಾಯಿತು. ಅದೂ ಅಲ್ಲದೆ ಅವರು ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್ ಪ್ರೊಫೆಸರ್ ಕೂಡ ಆಗಿದ್ದರಲ್ಲವೇ?
I believe most of his view points and ideologies have been politicized, a great injustice to a man of such intellectual caliber. ///
Very true. Whatever we don’t like we willl term them as controversy instead of discussing on it. We have become so intolerent.
Some writers may get an abrupt acrophobia while clambering up the great tree of history.They would not be dare enough to move further, because they knew the dreadful fall would be almost nearer if they do so. They will stop it when they get ‘historical evidences’ which supports their cultural fascism. They knew the fickle psychology of common readers and that would be more than enough for them. Such writers will spread venom in the label of ‘historical evidence.’ They conceal the real history and forget the modern values in order to gain a huge popularity.
Nothing they does apart from the re-creation of so called- sacred texts. Or injecting their fanatic philosophies into their charecters.