“In a way, Lalbagh is my one lung and the other is Gandhibazar. Lalbagh is what Malnad is to Kuvempu and Lake District of London for Wordsworth. Lalbagh was the source of strength and inspiration, also the birthplace of my poetry in the beginning of my literary career,” says, the eminent Kannada poet K.S. Nisar Ahmed, also known as the people’s poet . “Lalbagh was for my solitude whereas Gandhibazar was stimulus for worldly thoughts,” reminisces Nisar Ahmed.
Even in these days of fast diminishing interest in poetry, two poets of Kannada literary world have become household names – one is the Mysuru Mallige poet, K.S. Narasimhaswamy, and the other K.S. Nisar Ahmed, who is known for his lyrical quality, reflection, wit, and thoughtfulness. Nisar Ahmed belongs to the galaxy of Kannada writers whose mother tongues were not Kannada -- D.V.Gundappa, Masthi, Bendre, Rajarathnam, and N. Kasturi.
For Nisar, the author of 15 collections of poetry, five collections of prose, the translations of the selected plays of Shakespeare and the poetry of Pablo Neruda, five books of science writings for children, Urdu is the spoken language at home and Kannada, the language of his expression.
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He taught geology for nearly four decades, but turned toliterary writings. He writes between two religions, two languages, two cultures and two branches of knowledge. Nisar says: ‘To my left, Sanskrit and to the right Arabbi’. This is an arduous task of walking on the rope, but he has accomplished it so far in an efficient and a meaningful way. Just as he has written on
The most significant epithet given to Nisar Ahmed is Nithyotsava poet, named after his famous poem by the same name describing the glory of our state.
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If one analyses Nisar’s poetry, one can find the poet’s encounter with the sensibilities of social environment. There is also the poet’s shift from Nithyotsava ) to nithya vishada, that is regret. He bemoans loneliness, alienation and social inequality, that are the grim realities of contemporary life. His poetry reflects such painful emotions and they become wonderful metaphors. As a critic has pointed out, he has grown beyond the pressures of time since he wrote during the turbulent times of our country’s social history. He has remained relevant for the last six decades.
Nisar Ahmed, like his poetry, has also displayed the height of his achievement in his prose writings too. On reading them, one understands that his personality absorbs what is universal, perennial and solid. He is critical of the evanescent and the mundane. All the ideas and personalities that create and enhance the values of life are important to him. His prose writings reveal the significance of the poet and the artist who get confused in this materialistic society. In his essays, we find that art converses with the heart and longs for the debate. Nisar’s prose writings are equally creative like his poetry. With amazing clarity and sharpness, he contemplates on society, culture as well the personal-reflective.
Nisar’s engagement is similar to what T.S. Eliot identified as the man who suffers and the mind which creates, as the twin layers of the poet’s mind.
As a student of science, for Nisar, thoughtfulness and scientific attitude assume prominence. He says in another essay, ‘’Good ideas and noble thoughts have inculcated eternity. Time itself provides evidence on their behalf.’’
Awards are still pouring in for Nisar Ahmed for his unique contribution to the Kannada literary world. He has bagged several awards for his literary achievements, including Karnataka Sahitya Academy Gaurava Prashasti, Masthi Prashasthi, Rajyotsava award, awards instituted in the names ofGovinda Pai, K.S.Narasimhaswamy, Vishva Manava Prashasthi , honorary doctorates from Karnataka, Kuvempu and Bangalore Universities, Nadoja from Hampi Kannada University, and also the Padma Shri. He was the President of 73rd All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Shivamogga in 2006, and Alva’s Nudisiri Sammelana held in Moodabidare of Dakshina Kannada in 2012. Nisar was invited by the state government to inaugurate the Dasara Festival 2017 held in Mysuru.
The coveted Pampa Prashasthi, instituted in the name of the Aadi Kavi of Kannada literature, the highest literary honour of the state, will be conferred on this poet today.