JAVARE GOWDA D. (b. 1918)

 

D.Javare Gowda (ದೇ. ಜವರೇಗೌಡ) is one of the makers of modern Kannada culture. His contributions to Karnataka stem from the academic, administrative and agitational roles he has played for almost seven decades. He has worked in various fields such as folklore, textual criticism, literary criticism, translation, biography and travelogue. His initiative and inspiration in launching various projects for Kannada language, literature and culture are un paralleled.

Javare Gowda was born in a small village called Chakkere in Channapattana talluk in Ramanagara district. He obtained an M.A. degree in Kannada from the University of Mysore helped by the inspiring teaching and guidance of the great writer Kuvempu. (Dr K.V.Puttappa) He became a lecturer in Kannada, in his alma mater in 1946. He has occupied various academic and administrative positions in the University such as the Secretary, Publication Wing; Assistant Professor of Kannada; Controller of Examinations; Principal, Sahyadri College, Shivamogga; Reader, Dept. of Kannada, Professor and Head, Dept of Kannada and the Director, Institute of Kannada Studies, Manasagangotri. As a culmination of all this, De.Ja.Gow. became the Vice Chancellor of Mysore University in 1969 and continued his constructive activities from that vantage point.(1969-1975)

It is not possible to enumerate all the projects undertaken and successfully completed by Dr Javare Gowda during this period. He held steadfastly to the cause of Kannada. ‘Kannada Vishvakosha’, (Kannada Encyclopedia) English-Kannada Nighantu, ‘Samagra Kannada Sahityacharitre’, ‘Kannada Chandassina Itihasa’ are among the more important projects undertaken during his tenure. The establishment of the Folklore Museum for the first time in Karnataka is a laudable accomplishment. He was responsible for the starting of many new departments in the University. He continues to work for the cause of Kannada under the aegis of ‘Kuvempu Vidyavardhaka Trust’ launched by him.

Prof. Gowda has written more than 135 books in various genres and has published hundreds of articles in journals and periodicals. This note focuses his contribution to the fields connected with Classical Kannada.

Textual Criticism:

1. ‘ Girijakalyana Mahaprabandham’ by Harihara, 1951

2. ‘Dharmamruta Sangraha’, by Nayasena, 1957

3. ‘Jaimini Bharatha Sangraha’ by Lakshmeesha, 1959

4. ‘Nalacharitre’ by Kanakadasa, 1965

5. ‘Kabbigara Kava’ by Andayya, 1964

6. ‘Rukmangadacharitre’ by Chikupadhyaya , 1982

7. ‘Leelavthy Prabandha’ (with K. Venkataramappa)

Folklore:

1. ‘Jaanapada Adhyayana’, 1976

2. ‘Jaanapada Soundarya’, 1977

3. ‘Janapada Geetanjali’ (Edited Work), 1978

4. ‘Jaanapada Vaahini’, 1983

Translations:

1.      Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austin

2.      ‘With No Regrets’ by Krishnaa Hathising

3.      ‘Resurrection’ by Leo Tolstoy

4.      ‘Anna Karenina’ by Leo Tolstoy

5.      ‘ War and Peace’ by Leo Tolstoy

He has written many books on the life and works of Kuvempu in general and ‘Sri Ramayanadatshana’ in particular.

De.Ja.Gow. has received many awards and accolades from a grateful public and the Government. ‘Pampa Prashasti’,(1998) ‘Nadoja Prashasti’ by the Kannada University, Honarary Doctorate from the Karnataka University,(1975) ‘Rajyotsava Prashasti’,(1985) ‘Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award’(1984) and the Senior Fellowship of the ‘Dravidian Linguistics Association’ at Trivendrum(1979) are the more important ones among them. He was the president of the 47th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Bangalore in 1970. ‘Anthakarana’, ‘Rasa Shasti’, ‘dE. ja. gaV. vyakti mattu sahitya’, ‘apUrva’ and ‘namma nADOja’ are some of the felicitation volumes presented to him.

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