Kannada Poet HS Venkatesha Murthy Passes Away at 81, Leaves Behind a Distinct Literary Legacy

HS Venkatesha Murthy (HSV), a towering figure in Kannada literature, passed away in Bengaluru on May 30 at the age of 81. He had been suffering from age-related health issues.

HSV began his literary career in 1968 with Parivrutta, a collection of poetry during the Navya movement. He continued to write for decades, with his last major work being Buddhacharana (2020), a verse-based retelling of Buddha’s life and teachings.

Literary Voice Beyond Movements

HSV’s poetry evolved through many literary phases but maintained a distinct personal voice.

Noted critic S.R. Vijayshankar remarked that HSV, while distancing himself from the influence of Gopalakrishna Adiga, found resonance with Pu.Thi. Narasimhachar and K.S. Narasimhaswamy—poets he admired. His poems, while modern, maintained a deep connection with tradition.

Many of his works were turned into Bhaavageete—emotionally rich songs popular in Kannada light music. This association led to him being categorized among the “cassette poets” during the Sugama Sangeeta era.

Versatile Literary Contributions

While HSV was mainly celebrated as a poet, his literary contributions extended well beyond poetry. He was also a playwright, producing well-known plays like Uriya Uyyale, Agnivarna, and Manthare.

In addition, he wrote extensively for children, including songs, rhymes, stories, and plays. One of his stories, Chinnari Mutha, was adapted into a National Award-winning film.

In 2018, HSV directed a film titled Hasiru Ribbon, based on a personal experience.

His contribution to Kannada cinema and television was notable, having written lyrics and dialogues for films and serials. He also authored several memoirs and an autobiography.

Contributions to Kannada Classical Literature

To make classical Kannada texts accessible to modern readers, HSV produced simplified versions of Kumaravyasa Bharata and Pampa’s Vikramarjuna Vijaya. These works were praised for helping new generations understand classical literature.

His translation of Kalidasa’s Ritusamhara earned him the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize.

He also received the Bal Puraskar from the Sahitya Akademi in 2013. Over the years, he was honored five times with the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award.

Early Life and Education

HSV was born in 1944 in Hodigere, a remote village in Channagiri taluk, Davanagere district. He studied at the residential school in Malladihalli, Chitradurga, and later completed higher studies at Bangalore University.

He served as a Kannada professor at St. Joseph’s College of Commerce in Bengaluru until his retirement in 2000. His Ph.D. dissertation, Kannadadalli Kathana Kavanagalu, was regarded as a significant academic work in Kannada literary studies.

Leadership and Advocacy

HSV presided over the 85th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Kalaburagi in 2020. He advocated for Kannada to be the medium of instruction in primary schools and supported job reservations for Kannadigas.

He opposed Hindi being designated as the national link language, suggesting instead that a neutral classical language like Sanskrit or Prakrit be developed for that role.

He simultaneously acknowledged the importance of teaching English to children to help them engage globally.

Contributions to Cinema and Television

Beyond literature, HSV left his mark in Kannada cinema and television. He wrote lyrics and dialogues for movies such as Chinnari Mutha, Kotreshi Kanasu, America America, and Kirik Party. His title songs for TV serials like Mukta and Mahaparva remain memorable to Kannada audiences.

Remembering HSV

His passing marks the end of a literary journey that spanned over five decades. His work was known for lyrical beauty, philosophical insights, and emotional depth.

Among his famous poetry collections are Bagilu, Badiva Janagalu, Saugandhika, and Moovattu Malegaala. Plays such as Hejjegalu, Agnivarna, and Ondu Sainika Vruttanta also earned critical praise.

Details of his last rites have yet to be announced. Many from the Kannada literary and cultural communities are expected to pay their respects to the beloved poet.

H.S. Venkatesha Murthy leaves behind a legacy that shaped and enriched Kannada literature, cinema, and education.