D V G

17th march 2010 is the 123rd birth anniversary of the legendary kannada author, historian, biographer, poet, philosopher, social activist and much more, Sri DVG.

It is beyond my reach to describe him completely or even name all his works the most popular and famous of which is the ‘Mankutimmana kagga’ a collection of nearly a thousand verses which gives us an insight into Sri DVG’s thinking and help us take a philosophical view of ourselves and our life while moving along with its compulsions. This quality of the collection has made it earn the title ‘The Bhagavadgeeta of Kannada’.

The complete works of Sri DVG totals nearly ten thousand pages and include biographies, plays, poetry, philosophy, political and social science and much more. Though he wrote in Kannada, he had extensive knowledge of English and Sanskrit and has liberally quoted from both in many of his works. He was an expert in economics, history, political science and social science and he worked and lived on his own terms.

He earned his living by running a news paper and expressed his views fearlessly. His knowledge and morals earned him respect and goodwill, and his help was sought by people at the helm of affairs of the state.

Even though he rubbed shoulders with Dewans, princes and other highly placed officials he never sought any favours and even turned down offers of help. I believe people like Sir M Vishweshwariah about whom Sri DVG had very high regards knew that he had financial difficulties and tried to force him to accept a ‘fee’ for the help he had rendered. Sri DVG accepted the cheques as he did not want to displease Sir MV. The cheques were never cashed.

In spite of his capabilities, achievements and stature he remained a ‘common man’ and was humble enough to describe himself and ‘Mankutimmana kagga’ as

Kaviyalla vignaaniyalla bari taaraadi
Avanarivige etukuvavolu ondu aatmanayava
Havanisidanu idanu paamarajanada maatinali
Kavana nenapige sulbha - mankutimma

I have damaged the kagga by separating the words to suit English typing. The broad meaning of it is that “Neither a poet nor a scientist. Have rendered in simple words, the inner feelings, to the extent (am) capable of reaching. In the form of a verse only because it is easy to remember.”
Meaning “nothing great about me or these verses”.

The more I try to write about him the more I get confused and go on babbling endlessly. I neither have full understanding of Sri DVG’s persona nor his work. I am like one of the blind men describing the elephant by touching a part of it. I think I should stop here and before doing so would like to mention that I have made a better mess writing about him in kannada, which is posted on the kannada blog www.todayskagga.blogspot.com by sri venkatesh murthy, who maintains the blog and posts one verse everyday on the blog along with the meaning. You may get it in your e mail everyday if you subscribe to the group. (free). That is a great service.

You are free to go over there and read my kannada article on your own risk.