Nadahalli Ranganatha Sharma, well-known writer and teacher in Kannada and Sanskrit, has said that writer D.V. Gundappa (DVG) was a towering literary figure and a titan among Kannada writers.
The 98-year-old Mr. Sharma was addressing a gathering at the Nadabrahma Sangeeta Sabha here after receiving the DVG Award instituted by the DVG Balaga, Mysore, on Sunday.
DVG still served as a model for society, said Mr. Sharma, who was associated with the literary giant for over 25 years.
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‘Mankuthimmana Kagga’, which had over 900 poems, and ‘Marula Muniyana Kagga’ with 800 poems (edited by Mr. Sharma) spoke of DVG’s calibre, he said.
Mr. Sharma recalled several incidents involving DVG such as his fondness for snacks (thindi).
He said that though DVG only completed matriculation, he gained tremendous knowledge to become a preeminent literary name in Karnataka.
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DVG’s concern for society was incomparable and he was one of the great persons to serve ‘Kannadanadu’.
On Sharma
Mr. Sharma has authored several books in Kannada and Sanskrit. He is a recipient of the national award for Sanskrit learning and has received the Rajyotsava Award. The Karnataka Samskrit University recently conferred an honorary doctorate on him.
Writer T.V. Venkatachala Shastri, who feted Mr. Sharma on the occasion, lauded Mr. Sharma for his literary excellence in Kannada and Sanskrit. If anyone deserved to receive the first award instituted by the DVG Balaga in “order of merit”, it should be Mr. Sharma, Mr. Shastri said. Mr. Shastri gave an account of Mr. Sharma’s works on the occasion.
In his introductory remarks, Kanakaraju, convener of DVG Balaga, said that the balaga started its activities here in May last year and had made a humble beginning, conferring the maiden award on Mr. Sharma.