HS Venkatesha Murthy, popularly known as HSV, a celebrated Kannada poet and writer, died in Bengaluru on May 30 at the age of 81. He had been battling age-related health issues.
A Lifetime Devoted to Kannada Literature
HS Venkatesha Murthy began his literary journey in 1968 with his first poetry collection Parivrutta, during the Navya (modernist) literary movement. Over the decades, he continued to write, with his last major work being Buddhacharana (2020), a poetic retelling of Buddha’s life and teachings.
A Unique Voice in Kannada Poetry
Though HSV’s poetry grew during the Navya movement, he carved out his own distinctive style. Literary critic S.R. Vijayshankar notes that in moving away from the strong influence of Gopalakrishna Adiga, the leading figure of Navya, HSV’s poetry aligned more closely with poets Pu.Thi. Narasimhachar and K.S. Narasimhaswamy, whom he admired deeply. His works struck a balance between modern ideas and traditional roots, often inspiring Kannada sugama sangeeta (light music) performances, earning him the title of a ‘cassette poet’.
Beyond Poetry: A Versatile Literary Figure
While best known for poetry, HSV’s contributions stretched far beyond. He was a playwright with notable works like Uriya Uyyale, Agnivarna, and Manthare. His love for children’s literature shone through songs, rhymes, stories, and plays. One of his stories, Chinnari Mutha, was turned into a national award-winning film.
HS Venkatesha Murthy also directed the autobiographical film Hasiru Ribbon in 2018 and wrote lyrics for Kannada films and television. Additionally, he authored several memoirs and an autobiography.
Making Classics Accessible
HS Venkatesha Murthy dedicated efforts to simplify Kannada classical texts like Kumaravyasa Bharata and Pampa’s Vikramarjuna Vijaya for young readers by creating abridged, easy-to-understand versions. This initiative was widely praised for helping preserve Kannada heritage.
His literary excellence earned him the Sahitya Akademi’s Bal Puraskar in 2013 and the prestigious Akademi award for translating Kalidasa’s Ritusamhara. He was also a five-time recipient of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy award.
Early Life and Academic Pursuits
Born in 1944 in the small village of Hodigere in Davanagere district, HSV completed his education at Bangalore University. He taught Kannada at St. Joseph’s Commerce College until his retirement in 2000. His doctoral thesis, Kannadadalli Kathana Kavanagalu, remains an important study in Kannada literature.
Championing Kannada Language and Culture
In 2020, HSV served as the chairperson of the 85th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Kalaburagi. He was a strong advocate for Kannada as the medium of instruction in schools and for job reservations favoring Kannadigas in Karnataka.
He voiced strong opposition to Hindi being made the link language across India, instead suggesting Sanskrit or Prakrit as possible alternatives. At the same time, he supported teaching English to children to help them connect with the wider world.
HSV’s passing marks the end of an era for Kannada literature. His diverse contributions, from poetry and plays to children’s literature and classical text translations, leave a rich legacy cherished by generations.